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NAIRALAND, ZULUM, AND THE MENDACIOUS MURDER TALE IN INDIA.
NAIRALAND, ZULUM, AND THE MENDACIOUS MURDER TALE IN INDIA.
By: Inuwa Bwala
Posers: Could Zulums son who spoke from Maiduguri, be in an Indian prison at the same time?
☆What is the name of the victim and when specifically did it happen?
☆ Which Indian official confirmed the incident and the arrest?
If I remember very well, it was the late Chief M K O Abiola, who once said, that, “One can not shave a man’s head in his absence.”
This is perhaps what Nairaland, a third rate online publication and it’s sponsors attempted to do by publishing that report, about the son of Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum having been arrested and detained over the murder of a nameless Chinese national in far away India.
Coming at a time when the said son is right here in Nigeria: Maiduguri in particular, and has not traveled out of Nigeria in the last three months, surmise Chief Abiola’s anecdote.
So many people; including the protagonist of the said report, have reacted to what was obviously a piece of mischief, which has tended to glorify the medium: that seems to be desperately seeking recognition.
My initial instinct was to also react when it first appeared, but I later dismissed it, knowing that it was just a mendacious esoteric narrative, intended to harm the Governor and not his son.
People on ground who are conversant with the Zulums and who interact with the children daily have called to tell me that, allowing the matter to linger: however trivial could make it assume a life of it’s own.
I have therefore decided to interrogate the salient likely issues underlying the said report, which sponsors may be secretly rejoicing over, as having unsettled the governor.
From professional judgment, the report was not only poorly scripted but lacks the basic tenets of good journalism: having failed to meet the rudimentary inputs of ordinary reportage.
In particular, it failed to name both the alleged murderer and the victim. It failed to specifically name, which town in India, did the incident happen: no date was mentioned of the incident having taken place, no attribution from witnesses to the incident, and no confirming authority about the incident or the arrest, neither was there any reference to how the father made the Said diplomatic overture.
The said report further lies flat, with the video denial by the assumed culprit, speaking from Maiduguri and not in captivity in India.
From the political view point: it is an incontrovertible fact, that, Professor Babagana Umar Zulum has earned universal acclaim for his outstanding leadership qualities and is fast becoming a reference point in leadership lessons.
It is, however, a sad truism that, much as he has endeared himself to the world, it is not everybody that is happy with Zulums’ rising fame.
His attainments seem to have lent him to envy and secret disdain.
Those who fear what he might become in the future have secretly formed a guild syndicalist group working towards undoing Governor Zulum, politically. Seeing him as a lacking political exposure, enough to survive their antics, but who is coming to outshine them have often given them jitters.
The said publication did, therefore, stem from a vacuum, but from the agenda of the group, which may yet be faceless but determined to rubbish him.
Against this background, one could clearly see that recruiting willing canonfodders in the media becomes necessary.
Now, with the trouble the publication seem to have landed itself into, they may have realized rather belatedly, that, those who wrote the script and gave it to them for publication were most uncharitable.
It may not be so easy tracing the office location of Nairaland: as it nay be just another briefcase blog, in the event that they fail to retract the damaging report as demanded by the Governor’s media managers, but it should go down on records, that, those who choose journalism as the easiet tool for Political vendetta are doing the greatest damage to our democracy and to a once noble profession.
NAIRALAND, ZULUM, AND THE MENDACIOUS MURDER TALE IN INDIA.
News
NIMC Unveils WhatsApp, Live Chat Platforms to Revolutionise NIN Customer Support
NIMC Unveils WhatsApp, Live Chat Platforms to Revolutionise NIN Customer Support
By: Michael Mike
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched new WhatsApp and live chat support channels to improve customer service and ease access to National Identification Number (NIN) enquiries for Nigerians and legal residents.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Commission said the initiative forms part of its ongoing digital transformation and service reform agenda under the leadership of Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Abisoye Coker-Odusote.
According to NIMC, the newly introduced platforms are designed to provide faster, more convenient and real-time support services to the public, while reducing the need for physical visits to its offices.
The Commission stated that users can now access support through the live chat feature on its official website, NIMC Official Website, as well as through its official WhatsApp support line at +234 701 566 6971.
NIMC noted that the move aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to improve efficiency in public service delivery through technology-driven solutions.
The Commission explained that the platforms would offer prompt responses to enquiries, real-time guidance, and verified information relating to NIN services and identity management matters.
It added that the reforms being championed by Coker-Odusote are aimed at expanding access to identity services, strengthening public confidence, and enhancing operational efficiency across the Commission’s activities.
NIMC also urged Nigerians and legal residents to utilise only its official communication channels and remain vigilant against misinformation and fraudulent activities.
NIMC Unveils WhatsApp, Live Chat Platforms to Revolutionise NIN Customer Support
News
Troops Neutralised Over 250 Terrorists, Recovered 150 Weapons in Sector 2 Operations — Commander
Troops Neutralised Over 250 Terrorists, Recovered 150 Weapons in Sector 2 Operations — Commander
By: Zagazola Makama
The Commander of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, Brig.-Gen. Beyidi Martins, says troops operating within the sector have neutralised more than 250 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters during sustained offensive and defensive operations across Yobe and parts of southern Borno.
Martins disclosed this on Tuesday during a media briefing in Damaturu, where he highlighted major operational achievements recorded within the sector’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
He said the achievements were made through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic operations aimed at degrading the operational capability of terrorists and restoring security across critical locations.
According to him, troops carried out deep penetration and clearance operations into previously inaccessible terrorist enclaves within the Timbuktu Triangle, including Buk, Chileria, Kafa, Abbagajiri and Maisani.
He stated that over 50 terrorists were neutralised during offensive operations conducted within the Timbuktu Triangle, Bulabulin Forest and other identified hideouts.
Martins further disclosed that troops also foiled coordinated attacks on military formations at Kukareta, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir, Gonori, Buni Gari and Katarko, among other locations.
He said the failed attacks resulted in more than 200 terrorist casualties.
“In the course of these operations, troops recovered over 150 assorted weapons and large quantities of ammunition from the terrorists,” he said.
The commander listed some of the recovered items to include AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes, hand grenades, mortar bombs, motorcycles, communication gadgets and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials.
He added that troops also discovered and destroyed terrorist life-support structures, detention facilities, IED fabrication sites and Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) in Chileria, Buk and other identified locations.
Martins said intelligence-driven operations had equally disrupted terrorist logistics networks, leading to the arrest of more than 30 suspected logistics suppliers, couriers and collaborators.
According to him, troops intercepted drugs, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and medical supplies suspected to be destined for insurgent groups.
The commander attributed the successes to sustained offensive pressure, improved intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration between troops and local communities.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Sector 2 troops to sustaining operations aimed at eliminating remaining terrorist threats within the North-East theatre.
Troops Neutralised Over 250 Terrorists, Recovered 150 Weapons in Sector 2 Operations — Commander
News
Sector 2 Repairs 30 Battle-Damaged Vehicles, Expands Surveillance in Anti-Terror War
Sector 2 Repairs 30 Battle-Damaged Vehicles, Expands Surveillance in Anti-Terror War
By: Zagazola Makama
The Commander of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, Brig.-Gen. Beyidi Martins, says the Nigerian military has significantly enhanced operational mobility and surveillance capacity in the North-East through the repair of battle-damaged equipment and deployment of modern combat enablers.
Martins stated this on Tuesday during a media briefing in Damaturu while outlining operational and non-kinetic achievements recorded by the sector.
He said the sector successfully overhauled and repaired 30 battle-damaged and burnt armoured and tactical vehicles previously considered beyond economic repair.
According to him, the refurbishment programme has improved operational lift capability and increased firepower available to troops operating across the sector.
The commander said the initiative was part of efforts to sustain combat operations without waiting for prolonged procurement processes for new platforms.
He explained that the sector also procured critical operational equipment within available resources to improve troop effectiveness and communication.
The items, he said, included Night Vision Goggles (NVGs), surveillance cameras, tactical drones, Starlink communication systems, radios, repeaters, floodlights and inverters.
Martins noted that the equipment had enhanced surveillance capability, troop coordination and operational response within difficult terrains across the Area of Responsibility.
He added that troops also sustained Counter-IED and shoulder-clearance operations along major highways, particularly the Maiduguri-Damboa and Biu-Damboa routes, to improve troop mobility and reduce ambushes and roadside bomb attacks.
On non-kinetic operations, the commander said the sector intensified stakeholder engagements with community leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups and religious leaders to strengthen civil-military relations and improve intelligence sharing.
He said troops also provided armed escorts for commuters and humanitarian organisations along vulnerable corridors, including the Maiduguri-Damboa, Damaturu-Maiduguri and Biu-Damboa roads.
According to him, Sector 2 conducted regular farm patrols to protect farmers during cultivation activities and supported reconciliation efforts between farmers and herders in flashpoint communities.
Martins said the sector further collaborated with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on humanitarian support, sensitisation campaigns and training on international humanitarian law.
He also commended vigilantes and Hybrid Forces for their contributions to intelligence gathering and deep insertion operations within difficult terrains.
The commander assured that troops would continue to sustain offensive operations and strengthen collaboration with communities to consolidate gains recorded in the fight against insurgency.
Sector 2 Repairs 30 Battle-Damaged Vehicles, Expands Surveillance in Anti-Terror War
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