News
Media aides mark Zulum’s 53rd birthday with 3rd Verdict

Media aides mark Zulum’s 53rd birthday with 3rd Verdict
By Michael Mike
Media aides, alongside social media associates, on Thursday unveiled a compendium, the 3rd Verdict, to celebrate the 53rd birthday of Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.
The compendium’s Editor-in-Chief, who is also the Governor’s Adviser on Public Relations and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, announced the unveiling via a statement.
Gusau explained that the 3rd Verdict is a compendium of published news reports and analysis, features, columns, commentaries, discourses, editorials, selected speeches and updated scorecard in the third year of Governor Zulum’s administration, from May 29, 2021 to May 29, 2022.
The 3rd Verdict came after two previous editions.
On August 25, 2021, a similar compendium, the Second Verdict, was unveiled by Zulum’s media aides and social media associates to mark his 52nd birthday. That 331-page compendium was structured in 17 thematic sections with over 300 articles related to Governor Zulum’s activities from May 29, 2020 to May 29, 2021.
In August 2020, the First Verdict was published. The maiden compendium has 300 pages with 17 thematic sections, the combination of which had 336 published articles on Zulum’s Governor’s activities from May 29, 2019 to May 29, 2020.
Speaking on the newest publication, Gusau highlighted that the 3rd Verdict “has on its cover-page, a unique illustration replicated from a photograph that was snapped at 9:21 am on Monday, the 9th of August 2021 when Governor Zulum was invigilating an impromptu aptitude test he organised for teachers of a primary school in Baga town of Kukawa Local Government Area in northern Borno State.”
He noted that the significance of the cover-page illustration was discussed in the compendium’s editorial titled ‘Our Cover Photo and the Crisis of Public School System’.
The statement further explained that “the 3rd Verdict is a 290-page publication with 20 thematic sections: The Humanitarian; Security News and Discourse; Transport; Infrastructure & Energy; Education; Healthcare; Agriculture, Water Resources & Environment; Religion, Culture & Festivities; Budget, Economic Planning & Commerce; Civil Service, Vocations & Appointments; The First Lady & Women Affairs; Governance & Zulum’s ‘Unusual’ Approach; The Deputy Governor; Witnesses to Service Delivery; Politics; Awards, Tributes & Special Occasions; Foreign, Inter-Governmental & Development Partnerships; Some Sayings of Zulum; North East Governors Forum (NEGF); Newspaper Editorials and The Scorecard.”
These 20 thematic sections, the Editor-in-Chief highlighted, “have a combined number of 196 articles published by dozens of local and foreign news organisations relating to the activities of Professor Zulum in his third year as governor.
“Besides the 196 published articles, the 3rd Verdict also contains a number of selected speeches and updated records of projects, presidential commissioning, programmes and policies as of May 29, 2022”.
These records of projects were updated from the First Verdict, released in August 2020, and the Second Verdict, released in August 2021.
On why the publications are important, Gusau said: “The First, Second and 3rd Verdicts are aimed at preserving Governor Zulum’s legacies to increase access of future leaders to information about government policies and programmes, and to research information.
“Such documentation is important because as years pass by, retrieving information about the activities of leaders tends to get more difficult, especially in this internet age when digital foci are more on newest information than older ones.
“It is our hope that with the First, Second and 3rd Verdicts, accessing sufficient records of Professor Zulum’s activities, whether immediately or in future times, should be as easy as having hard and soft copies of our series.”
“We wish our readers the most informed benefits from these publications as we present to you the 3rd Verdict to celebrate Governor Zulum’s 53rd birthday.
“Happy birthday to His Excellency, the outstanding governor of Borno State,” the statement concluded.
Media aides mark Zulum’s 53rd birthday with 3rd Verdict
News
Hisbah in Katsina Brutalizes Lady in a Case of Lawlessness and Impunity

Hisbah in Katsina Brutalizes Lady in a Case of Lawlessness and Impunity
By Zagazola Makama
The brutal assault of a young woman, Hauwa’u Lawal Suleiman, and her sisters at the Katsina Hisbah office on April 15 has triggered widespread outrage and drawn fresh attention to the conduct of the state’s religious enforcement agency.
Eyewitnesses say Hauwa’u had gone to the Hisbah office to inquire about relatives allegedly detained by the operatives. What began as a simple inquiry reportedly ended in violence, as she was assaulted by about 20 Hisbah personnel, resulting in serious injuries, including a fracture. Her sisters, who were present and pleaded with the operatives to stop the attack, were also allegedly beaten and subjected to degrading treatment.
The shocking incident has once again raised concerns over the operational methods and legal limitations of Hisbah in Katsina State. While the agency is mandated to enforce moral standards under Sharia principles, critics argue that its operatives often act outside the bounds of the Nigerian constitution and without adherence to due process.
Legal experts say that although Hisbah is legally recognized under state law, it remains obligated to operate within the confines of the Nigerian legal framework. The growing number of complaints about unlawful raids, arbitrary arrests, and use of physical punishment without judicial oversight has led to calls for a comprehensive review of its operations.
Civic groups and legal observers in Katsina cite this latest incident as part of a broader pattern of human rights abuses allegedly carried out by Hisbah. They allege that the agency disproportionately targets young people, women, and the poor under vague pretexts such as “immoral gatherings” or “suspicious behavior.”
The Katsina State Government has yet to issue an official response to the incident. However, increasing public pressure is mounting for a full-scale investigation and disciplinary actions against any operatives found culpable. The absence of formal law enforcement training, lack of investigative procedures, and limited understanding of suspects’ rights are being pointed out as contributing factors to Hisbah’s alleged misconduct.
In a related development, Amnesty International has issued a strong condemnation of the assault, describing it as “lawless and callous.” The organization called on the Katsina State Government to immediately investigate the incident and hold the perpetrators accountable.
“Suspected Hisbah operatives that played a role in the assault on Hauwa’u Lawal Suleiman and her sisters must be identified and tried for gross violation of human rights,” Amnesty said in a statement.
The human rights group also alleged that the Hisbah in Katsina has routinely violated citizens’ rights through illegal raids and arbitrary punishments, particularly targeting women and youths. It warned that the unchecked actions of the agency were fostering a climate of fear and impunity.
“Hisbah cannot operate outside of the law. Failure of the Katsina State Government to subject Hisbah to legal accountability breeds and perpetuates impunity, creating a toxic climate of fear,” Amnesty added.
As the dust settles on this disturbing incident, the state faces renewed demands for regulatory clarity, institutional reform, and justice for the victims. For many observers, this case could be a turning point in how religious law enforcement is balanced with the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens.
Hisbah in Katsina Brutalizes Lady in a Case of Lawlessness and Impunity
Crime
Herder killed, 40 cows rustled in Taraba village

Herder killed, 40 cows rustled in Taraba village
By Zagazola Makama
A 30-year-old herder, Muazu Anaruwa, was killed and 40 cows rustled by suspected bandits in Kogon Dutse village, Old Muri district of Taraba State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident, which occurred on April 22, came to light after Muazu’s father, Alhaji Audu Anaruwa, reported that his son had gone out to graze their cattle but failed to return home.
Police operative later discovered Muazu’s body in the grazing area, bearing what appeared to be a bullet wound, while all the livestock were missing.
Local sources described the attack as a case of banditry and cattle rustling. The body of the deceased was evacuated to the Primary Healthcare Centre in Andami, where a medical officer confirmed his death.
He has since been buried according to Islamic rites.
Police say efforts are ongoing within the local security network, including hunters and vigilantes, to track the perpetrators and recover the stolen cattle.
Herder killed, 40 cows rustled in Taraba village
News
Three suspects arrested in Plateau, firearm recovered

Three suspects arrested in Plateau, firearm recovered
By Zagazola Makama
The Plateau State Police Command has arrested three suspected and recovered a locally fabricated pistol during a raid in Jos on April 22.
Zagazola Makama was reliably informed that the arrest followed credible intelligence received by the Anglo Jos Division’s surveillance team, which led to the capture of Michael Jimoh, 26, Pam Davou, 37, and Ibrahim Isuwa, 35. The suspects were apprehended at around 10:30 p.m.
During a search, officers recovered a locally made pistol, which was loaded with one cartridge, from the suspects’ possession. The police did not specify the exact location of the arrest.
Sources said that the suspects are currently in police custody, and investigation into the case is ongoing.
Three suspects arrested in Plateau, firearm recovered
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