Bandits attack mosque, kill five worshippers during dawn prayers in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits on Friday attacked a mosque in Yandoto community, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing five worshippers during dawn prayers.

Eyewitnesses told Zagazola Makama that the attackers stormed the mosque at the early hours of the morning while prayers were ongoing and opened fire on the congregation.

The incident, which occurred around 5:00 a.m., caused panic among residents as the assailants also abducted an unspecified number of worshippers, who were taken away into the forest.

Community members and sympathizers later conducted funeral prayers for the five victims, who were described as devout Muslims known for their regular attendance at the mosque.

The attack has sparked outrage and grief in the community, with residents calling on authorities to intensify security measures in Tsafe and across Zamfara to end recurring violence.

“We pray Allah to forgive their shortcomings, accept them as martyrs, and bring an end to this bloodshed in our land,” a community elder said.

Bandits attack mosque, kill five worshippers during dawn prayers in Zamfara

VC UNIMAID COMMENDS ASUU FOR COMMITMENT TO MEMBERS WELFARE

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The Vice-Chancellor University of Maiduguri, Professor Mohammed Mele, has commended the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for its commitment to the welfare of members in the unimaid community.

He made the commendation based on the myriads of self help projects such as the renovation of the ASUU secretariat and the construction of the perimeter fence around the Secretariat.

The VC represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics Professor Mohammed Waziri congratulated ASUU on its achievements and urged other unions to emulate their efforts aimed at cushioning the welfare of their members, when the National President of ASUU, Professor Christopher Piwuna, paid a courtesy visit to the University recently.

During the visit, Professor Piwuna lauded the University of Maiduguri ASUU Branch Chairperson, Dr. Abubakar Saidu Mshelia, for his remarkable commitment to members’ welfare. He emphasized the importance of collective action in achieving the goals of Academic Staff across Nigerian Universities, describing the University’s branch as a model of effective leadership and member engagement.

Welcoming the ASUU President, to the Ivy Tower, Dr. Abubakar Saidu expressed gratitude to the National President for the visit despite his busy schedule and for the support given them since assuming office.

He therefore reaffirmed the branch’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and health of members, advocating for improved working conditions, better health benefits, and overall staff well-being.

The highlight of the event was the commissioning of the Secretariat’s perimeter wall and the formal dedication of its renovation.

VC UNIMAID COMMENDS ASUU FOR COMMITMENT TO MEMBERS WELFARE

Tunji-Ojo Says Over 52,000 Officers of NIS, NCoS, FFS, NSCDC Promoted in Two Years

… Promises Continued Consistent Promotion

By: Michael Mike

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has said as part of the ongoing efforts of the current administration at combating insecurity in the country, President Bola Tinubu ensured that agelong career stagnation of officers in the nation’s paramilitary services was stopped.

Speaking at the decoration of newly appointed Deputy Comptroller/Controller/Commandant General of the four Paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Federal Fire Service (FFS), the minister said the decorated officers were direct beneficiaries of the reforms put in place to prioritise merit, welfare and rapid promotions.

Tunji-Ojo who said since the coming into office of President Tinubu over two years ago over 52,000 officers have been promoted across all paramilitary services, noting that the elevation of the new DCGs was more than a promotion, but a presidential appointment anchored on merit, competence and transparent processes.

He told the newly decorated officers that: “Your appointment came as a result of presidential approval. It is not just promotion but appointment.

“None of you is here on courtesy, whether you deserve it or not. If you are good enough to be DCG, then you are good enough to be CG.”

The minister while noting that the officers’ examinations were independently conducted and marked by the National Army Resource Centre, and later ratified by the board, stressed that federal character was however applied to ensure inclusiveness across all geopolitical zones, but that seniority and merit remained the sole basis of the appointments.

He commended the President for reforms that have restored dignity to the services, saying that stagnation had long deprived competent officers of deserved career progression.

He said: “Many officers retired without attaining positions they merited, not because they lacked competence but because promotions were irregular. Today, this administration has promoted over 52,000 officers in just two years,”he said.

He recalled that vacancies for DCGs had in the past remained unfilled for 10 to 12 months, but said that the Tinubu administration had broken the jinx by consistently filling such positions.

Tunji-Ojo said more than 80 per cent of those decorated as DCGs were promoted to ACG under the current government.

He further listed welfare interventions, including increased salaries, peculiar allowances, eradication of career stagnation, and approval of life pensions for retired DCGs and CGs.

“This government has shown more support than any other in the history of the country. It believes that to whom much is given, much is expected,”he said.

The minister charged the officers to give their best to the nation, noting that Nigeria deserved their loyalty, innovation, and commitment to excellence.

He further charged all the paramilitary officers to be up and doing as appreciation to their improved welfare.

He said: “To the Immigration Service, you must secure borders and strengthen border governance. To the Correctional Service, transform centres from mere incarceration facilities into hubs of rehabilitation and restoration of hope,”he said.

“Fire service should go beyond fire response by establishing itself as a leading rescue agency, NSCDC need to protect every inch of Nigeria’s critical assets by its mandate.

“The time to rise to your responsibility is not tomorrow. It began yesterday. Let us be catalysts of change and show that government did not make a mistake in entrusting us with these mandates,”he said.

The minister also recalled that during the last set of examinations, a female officer missed promotion by just 0.25 marks, underscoring the rigour and fairness of the process.

He said he is however overjoy that she was among those celebrated this time while urging the new DCGs to cooperate with their CGs, show discipline, and resist lobbying.

“The higher you go, the more disciplined you need to be. You are now role models. Let your actions speak louder than words. Leave legacies for those coming behind you,” he advised.

The minister assured that the ministry would continue to innovate in line with global best practices, and encouraged the DCGs to contribute fresh ideas.

He said, “we do not have a monopoly of knowledge. We want to listen, collaborate and work with you. Great leaders are those who leave greater legacies.

Citing ongoing reforms, he highlighted the passport revolution and centralised processing in immigration, infrastructure at the Federal Fire Academy.

This, he said included innovations in correctional centres such as the Kuje Abuja facility now operating beyond hospital standards, and the NSCDC’s work in critical asset protection.

He emphasised that the ministry was giving its best and expected the same from officers to build paramilitary services that could compete globally.

“Show loyalty to Nigeria above anything else. Let the love of this country extinguish any flame of disloyalty. Be mentors, be role models, be catalysts of change,” he charged.

Tunji-Ojo Says Over 52,000 Officers of NIS, NCoS, FFS, NSCDC Promoted in Two Years