Zulum Targets Closure of Borno’s Largest IDP Camp as Resettlement Drive Enters Final Phase

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has announced plans to shut down the Bama Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, the largest displacement facility in Borno outside Maiduguri, within the next month, marking a major milestone in the state’s efforts to end years of mass displacement caused by insurgency.

The governor made the declaration on Thursday after personally supervising a screening exercise for displaced families at the Government Science Secondary School IDP Camp in Bama, where he spent more than three hours verifying beneficiaries eligible for the state’s resettlement programme.

Zulum said the exercise was aimed at ensuring that only genuine households are captured as the government moves to complete the return of displaced residents to their ancestral communities.

“We are here to examine the remaining displaced people that are living in the IDP camp with a view to ensuring the closure of Bama IDP camp,” the governor stated.

The planned closure represents another significant step in Borno State’s post-insurgency recovery programme, which has seen thousands of displaced persons return to their communities after years of conflict triggered by the activities of the terrorist group Boko Haram.

Over the last seven years, the state government has facilitated the resettlement of residents in several communities across Bama Local Government Area, including Darajamal, Nguro Soye, Goniri, Banki and Abbaram. Bama remains one of the areas most devastated by the insurgency, with large-scale destruction of infrastructure and prolonged displacement of residents.

According to Zulum, only three communities—Mayanti, Goniri and Bula Kuriye—remain to be fully resettled before the camp can be permanently shut down.

“We have three communities that are left to be resettled, namely, communities from Mayanti, Goniri, and Bula Kuriye. By the next one month, the Bama IDP camp, which is the largest camp in the state outside the state capital, will be closed,” he said.

The governor’s visit also featured inspections of major infrastructure projects underway in Bama as part of the administration’s reconstruction and urban renewal agenda.

Among the projects inspected were the construction of a modern shopping complex and the dualisation of the Bama township road. Zulum praised the quality of work being executed, describing the projects as critical to restoring economic activities and modernising the town after years of devastation.

He recalled that the historic Bama Market was destroyed during insurgent attacks about 15 years ago before being rehabilitated under the administration of Nigeria’s current Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

To further strengthen commercial activities, the state government is constructing a modern shopping complex with 156 shops in front of the market while simultaneously remodelling the entire facility.

“We are trying to provide a befitting shopping mall in front of the market, totaling 156 shops, while also remodeling the market as part of our urban renewal programme,” Zulum said.

He noted that the market redevelopment is designed to stimulate economic growth, improve livelihoods and provide a more conducive environment for businesses and traders.

The governor also disclosed plans to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity through the dualisation of major roads within Bama, particularly the strategic township road linking Maiduguri, Bama and Gwoza. Existing roads across the town, he added, would be rehabilitated before the end of his tenure.

The inspection tour extended to High Islamic College and teachers’ quarters in Konduga, underscoring the administration’s continued focus on rebuilding educational infrastructure and improving public services in communities affected by conflict.

Zulum was accompanied by senior government officials, lawmakers and community leaders during the visit. The move to close the Bama camp is expected to signal a new phase in Borno’s recovery efforts as authorities push to transition displaced families from temporary shelters to permanent community-based resettlement

Zulum Targets Closure of Borno’s Largest IDP Camp as Resettlement Drive Enters Final Phase

UN Women, TY Danjuma Foundation Boost Rural Women’s Livelihoods with Agro-Processing Centre in Abuja Community

By: Michael Mike

Rural women in Great Sheda Community of Kwali Area Council, Abuja, have received a major economic boost following the inauguration of a modern agro-processing centre designed to ease cassava processing and expand income-generating opportunities for women farmers and processors.

The facility, established through a partnership between UN Women and the TY Danjuma Foundation, was officially launched on Monday in the community, with stakeholders describing the intervention as a significant step toward strengthening women’s economic empowerment and rural development.

At the heart of the project is a cassava peeling and grinding machine that is expected to transform the production of Akpu, a staple food that serves as a major source of livelihood for many women in the area. For years, local processors relied largely on manual methods that demanded long hours of labour and limited production capacity. The new facility is expected to reduce processing time, improve efficiency and enable women to devote more time to other productive ventures.

Speaking during the inauguration, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong said the initiative goes beyond providing equipment, stressing that it represents an investment in the productivity and economic future of rural women.

According to her, reducing the burden associated with manual cassava processing would help women increase their earnings, pursue additional economic activities and contribute more effectively to the development of their families and communities.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the TY Danjuma Foundation, Hannatu Gentles, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to supporting underserved communities through strategic interventions in health, education and economic empowerment.

She described women as the backbone of the rural economy and expressed confidence that members of the Akpu Women Association would utilise the facility to expand their businesses and improve the welfare of their households.

Also speaking at the event, former FCT Mandate Secretary and Director-General of the Mariam Babangida Centre, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, noted that access to modern processing tools would not only improve cassava production but also strengthen food security, stimulate economic growth and enhance community resilience.

Residents of Great Sheda welcomed the intervention, describing it as a transformative project capable of increasing productivity, raising household incomes and stimulating economic activities across the community and neighbouring settlements.

The agro-processing centre is expected to serve women processors within Great Sheda and surrounding communities, creating opportunities for improved food processing practices, higher earnings and stronger local economic growth.

The project underscores growing efforts by development partners and philanthropic organisations to support women as key drivers of economic development, food security and sustainable community growth in rural Nigeria.

UN Women, TY Danjuma Foundation Boost Rural Women’s Livelihoods with Agro-Processing Centre in Abuja Community

Police Arrest 21 Suspects, Recover 20 Motorcycles in Zamfara Crackdown

By: Zagazola Makama

The Zamfara State Police Command says it has arrested 21 suspects and recovered 20 motorcycles during a special operation targeting reckless motorcycle riders and public disturbances in parts of Gusau Local Government Area.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Gusau.

According to the statement, the operation followed repeated complaints from residents of Birnin Ruwa, Tullukawa and Yar Gada communities over the activities of groups of youths popularly known as “Arlet Boys.”

The police said the youths were allegedly involved in reckless motorcycle riding and other acts capable of causing public disorder in the affected communities.

The statement explained that on June 7 at about 7:30 p.m., police operatives carried out coordinated raids on identified criminal hideouts and black spots within the three communities.

It said the operation led to the arrest of 21 suspects and the recovery of 20 motorcycles.

“The arrested suspects will be subjected to thorough screening and investigation, while those found culpable will be charged to court accordingly,” the statement said.

The command assured residents that the operation would be sustained to rid the affected communities of criminal elements and enhance public safety.

It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support crime prevention efforts across the state.

The police reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order as well as protecting lives and property throughout Zamfara.

Police Arrest 21 Suspects, Recover 20 Motorcycles in Zamfara Crackdown