Zulum approves construction of water works, roads rehabilitation in Bama

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has approved the construction of a major water works to address problems of potable drinking water in Bama local government area of the state.

Bama was overrun by Boko Haram militants in 2014 at the peak of their annexation of parts of the country before it was liberated by the Nigerian military in March, 2015.

Zulum announced the approval on Thursday when he paid homage to the Shehu of Bama, Dr Umar Elkanemi, at his palace in Bama town.

Zulum’s administration constructed nine mega water projects across the state, including those in Ngarannam, Moramti, Pulka, Chibok, Azare, Madinatu, and Shokwari in Jere, Gowza, Hawul, Chibok, Konduga, and Maiduguri metropolis.

In addition to the water projects, Zulum announced a plan to rehabilitate Bama township road networks to ease transport and facilitate movement.

Zulum said: “Bama is one of the communities worst hit by Boko Haram insurgency; the destructions were unimaginable. However, we have made significant progress in our rebuilding efforts in Banki, Darajamal, Mayenti and a host of other settlements.”

The governor also ordered that a high Islamic college be established in Bama to streamline formal education with non-formal education and provide certification for Almajiri education.

Before his visit to the Shehu of Bama, Zulum also visited Abbaram town, a village located east of Kur Mohammed military barracks to assess the destruction caused by Boko Haram militants.

The visit was to facilitate the resettlement of people displaced for over one decade from their communities due to the insurgency.

The governor was accompanied by the senator representing Borno Central, Kaka Shehu Lawan, and members of the House of Representatives, Bukar Talba and Abdulkadir Rahis.

Zulum approves construction of water works, roads rehabilitation in Bama

Convicted High Profile Human Trafficker Based in Dubai Nabbed at Abuja Airport

By: Michael Mike

A convicted Socialite and arrowhead of an International Human Trafficking network operating across the Middle East with an operational base in the United Arab Emirate (UAE) Dubai, and has been on the wanted list of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) since the past five years, Uadiale Christiana Jacob aka Christy Evan Osagie aka Christy Gold, has been arrested.

Christy Gold, as she is fondly called by the gang members, was arrested and handed over to NAPTIP by the Officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on duty at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, on new year eve on arrival from Dubai for new year celebration in Nigeria.

According to a statement on Friday by the spokesman of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, Christy other accomplices, one Michael Nduka, Osas Wiseman, Vivian, and a certain Prophet John in Lagos along with others are field officers who assist in the recruitment and subsequent transfer of victims to the suspect, are still on the run.

Adekoye recalled that on the 18th March 2020, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Ikeja Airport Command shared intelligence with NAPTIP Joint Border Task Force/Benin Satellite Office (JBTF/BSO) in respect of one Uadiale Christiana Jacob aka Christy Evan Osagie aka Christy Gold of No 15 Osagie Street, Off 2nd Power Line, Egbon Estate, Benin City, Edo State.

He noted that Christy Gold is a senior member of an organized human trafficking syndicate notorious for the recruitment, trafficking and sexually exploiting of underage Nigerian girls in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

He said following the agency’s investigation into the alleged offense to establish culpability, Christiana Uadiale Jacob was arrested by NAPTIP in Ikpoba Hill area, Benin City on the 13th of October 2020 for her involvement in the trafficking of Nigerian girls to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for forced prostitution.

She was charged to the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State on the 25th of November 2020, where she was granted bail.
While on Court bail, Christiana Uadiale Jacob violated the terms of the bail and absconded to Dubai. After failing severally to appear before the Court, a Bench Warrant was issued by the sitting Judge on the 3rd of November 2021 for her arrest.

Adekoye revealed that to get Christiana Uadiale Jacob to face justice for her crimes, NAPTIP sought the assistance and collaboration of the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, National Central Bureau (NCB), INTERPOL Nigeria, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the United Arab Emirates Police for her arrest and extraction to Nigeria.

He added that even while she tried to evade justice, NAPTIP did not relent and as a result of the agency’s diligent prosecution of the case, Christiana Uadiale Jacob was convicted for human trafficking in absentia by Honourable Justice F . A Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State on the 21st of March 2024 with sentencing being awaited whenever she is rearrested and brought before the Honourable Court.

The spokesman said luck however ran out on her on the 31st of December 2024, as officers of Nigeria Immigration Service acting in respect of NAPTIP’s request for watchlisting dated 22nd February 2023, nabbed her on arrival inNigeria.

Speaking on the development, Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Immigration Service for apprehending the fleeing human trafficking convict saying that it was a commendable demonstration of inter-agency collaboration.

She said: “I want to specially thank our sister Law Enforcement Agency, the NIS for the arrest of the convict. Recalled that a few weeks ago, I visited the Comptroller General of NIS and the outcome of that advocacy visit is this improved synergy and very efficient collaboration. NAPTIP also appreciates the efforts of other members of the Intelligence Community who are working behind the scenes to apprehend these fellows.

“The convict that has been arrested and convicted will surely be taken to the Court to face the sentence by the Law.

“This is a clear message to other members of this international criminal gang who are still on the run: They can only hide for a while; they can never hide forever. We have already activated all necessary security and intelligence apparatus, and our partners around the World are on the lookout for these elements. Very soon, the net will catch them.

“I am happy it was a sad end for human traffickers in the country in 2024 and we promise them a hell in 2025.

“We are more determined and will be more decisive this year to fish them out and ensure the protection of Nigerians from trafficking, exploitation, and violence against persons, the Director General stated.

Convicted High Profile Human Trafficker Based in Dubai Nabbed at Abuja Airport

Nigeria: Troops intercepted a terrorist courier conveying IEDs in Borno

By: Our Reporter

Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) operating under Sector 3 in Monguno, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), intercepted a suspected terrorist courier conveying a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) and making materials at the entrance to Gubio Local Government Area on Thursday, 2 January 2025, in a significant counter-terrorism operation.

Gunio is located about 60km from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, Northeast Nigeria.

Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, Chief Military Information Officer, HQ MNJTF, N’djamena, Chad, in a statement on Wednesday, identified the suspect as Mr. Murktar Alhaji Chari, 28 years old.

According to the statement, the suspect confessed to transporting the materials to Damasak town in the Mobbar Local Government Area for a planned attack on MNJTF troops.

“The intercepted materials included four empty 12kg cylinders, one empty 6kg cylinder, two carburetor gas canisters, two pressure regulators, and a hose.” The statement further said

According to the statement, information revealed that the materials were intended for a group of terrorists planning a retaliatory attack following the killing of their members and seizure of a significant weapons cache.
by the armed forces

It said the suspect is currently in custody and assisting with ongoing investigations.

The Force Commander MNJTF, Major General Ibrahim Ali, has commended the troops and CJTF for their vigilance and professionalism, reiterating MNJTF’s resolve to combat terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of the region.

Nigeria: Troops intercepted a terrorist courier conveying IEDs in Borno