Army, NAF Troops repel ISWAP attack on military base in Kala-Balge, Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), have repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Rann, the administrative headquarters of Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.

Zagazola report that the incident occurred in the early hours of May 13, when the terrorists, disguised as Fulani herdsmen, launched a coordinated assault on the military base.

A reliable security source Zagazola Makama that the troops engaged the attackers in a fierce gun duel, at about 12:15 am, prompting the intervention of a NAF fighter jet which arrived at the scene during the firefight.

On sighting the air platform, the terrorists reportedly attempted to flee in different directions to avoid attack.

However, the NAF pilot tracked and engaged a group of the fleeing terrorists escaping in a Hilux truck, neutralising several of them and destroying the vehicle.

The number of casualties on the side of the terrorists could not be independently verified, but the military confirmed that normalcy has been restored to the area following the encounter.

Army, NAF Troops repel ISWAP attack on military base in Kala-Balge, Borno

Yobe Police Command speaks on fighting crime and arrests

By: Yahaya Wakili

In a bid to combat the criminal activities in the state, the Yobe State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against crime, arresting suspects involved in heinous crimes.

This was contained in a press release issue and signed by SP Dungus Abdulkarim MNIPPR, Police Public Relations Officer, today.

He said on 10th May, 2025, Idriss Yakubu, a commercial tricycle rider from Shengele village in the Fune local government area, was arrested for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl.

According to release, the suspect lured the victim into the bush and forcefully raped her, and suspect confessed to the crime during the police interrogation. In addition to that, four suspects were arrested and apprehended by the A. Division Police Headquarters for criminal conspiracy, theft, and other related vices.

He revealed that the four suspects identified as Abubakar Barnawa, 28; Mohd Modu, 20; Umaru Mustapha, 18; and Musa Hassan, 18, allegedly used a tricycle with a falsified registration number to conceal their identity and evade arrest.

“The investigation is ongoing, and the suspects will face prosecution upon completion,” the release further added.

The Yobe State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ado, psc, fdc, drawn, condemned these nefarious acts and urged the community members to report any unscrupulous elements among commercial drivers and tricycle riders to the police.

CP Ado assured the public that the command is committed to ensuring justice is served and that all untoward acts against the community will face stiff resistance.

The command also urges citizens to report any form of abuse or crime to the police and assures the public of its commitment to protecting the lives and property of the citizens of the state.

Yobe Police Command speaks on fighting crime and arrests

Zulum Apoints Hajiya Mairo Bunu Lawan as Chairperson of BOSCHMA

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the appointment of Hajiya Mairo Bunu Lawan as Chairperson of the Board of the Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA).

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the governor on Media, Dauda Iliya, the appointment is for an initial term of four (4) years.

The appointment is in accordance with the powers vested in the Governor under Section 5(1) of the Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency Law, 2018.

Hajiya Mairo Bunu Lawan is a seasoned administrator and held various leadership positions including permanent secretary in the Borno State civil service in the ministries of Agriculture, Budget and Planning and Water Resources. She was also the former state Accountant General.

She holds a Masters degree in Business Administration (Finance) at University of Maiduguri, and Fellow of several professional bodies including Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria and member Nigerian Institute of Management.

The newly appointed chairperson have attended numerous courses within and outside the country including Policy Strategic and Leadership course at the Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru, and training in International Public Sector Accounting Standards conducted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) in London, among others.

Governor Zulum congratulated the newly appointed Chairperson and urged her to bring her wealth of experience to bear in advancing an effective contributory healthcare scheme in the state.

The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Borno State House of Assembly.

Zulum Apoints Hajiya Mairo Bunu Lawan as Chairperson of BOSCHMA