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Northeast Governors renew call for joint action on insurgency, poverty at 11th forum meeting

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Northeast Governors renew call for joint action on insurgency, poverty at 11th forum meeting

By: Zagazola Makama

As security concerns and economic hardship continue to weigh heavily on Nigeria’s Northeast region, governors of the six states converged on Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, on Thursday to chart a common path for peace, recovery, and prosperity.

The 11th meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF), held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, witnessed robust deliberations, passionate appeals, and renewed calls for unity, collaboration, and strategic action against the persistent threat of insurgency and deepening poverty in the region.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, led the charge in his opening address, painting a stark picture of the challenges facing the region and urging urgent collective action to change the narrative.

“It is with a deep sense of honour and responsibility that I welcome Your Excellencies to this 11th meeting of the vibrant North-East Governors’ Forum,” Zulum said.

He described the current economic situation in the region as dire, noting that food insecurity, rising transportation costs, poor healthcare, and the erosion of purchasing power had deepened the suffering of the people.

“We must take bold steps to address the poverty crisis, which is not just an economic issue but also a social and humanitarian emergency,” he said.

The Borno governor commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their ongoing sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, but called for a review of operational strategies in light of recent Boko Haram attacks in some areas.

“The re-emergence of insurgent attacks is alarming and could undermine the successes already recorded. I humbly suggest that the military revisit its strategy and adopt more offensive operations,” Zulum stated.

While reaffirming the importance of agriculture as a key to regional development, Zulum emphasized that farming alone could not lift the region out of poverty. He advocated for the establishment of small and medium-scale industries, backed by improved infrastructure, incentives for private investment, and promotion of innovation.

He called on his fellow governors to invest in roads, electricity, clean water, and youth empowerment initiatives to reverse the tide of unemployment and restiveness.

“We must diversify our economy, reduce poverty, and equip our young people with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive,” he said.

Zulum also warned of impending environmental threats, urging states to act on flood warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

“We must take the warnings seriously. The consequences of inaction are too devastating,” he said.

Zulum reminded his colleagues that regional success depends on unity of purpose.

“As governors, we have a sacred duty to our people. We must support each other and prioritize their needs. Our individual successes are tied to our collective progress,” he said.

He concluded by introducing the new Director-General of the Forum, Umar Musa Gulani, a seasoned public administrator and former Director at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

In his welcome remarks, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State thanked his counterparts for honoring the invitation and expressed optimism that the forum would yield new strategies to combat insecurity and economic stagnation.

Buni described the Forum as a “critical platform” for collaboration and policy alignment, especially as the region grapples with renewed attacks from Boko Haram and its use of modern technology in assaults.

“This meeting is timely. We must act fast to consolidate our gains in peacebuilding and economic recovery,” he said.

He called for resolutions from the meeting to be shared with federal security agencies to boost coordination and rapid response mechanisms.

Governor Buni also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and leadership, and extended gratitude to the armed forces, Civilian Joint Task Force, and volunteers for their sacrifices.

On economic revitalization, he echoed Zulum’s call for investment in mechanized agriculture, employment generation, and sustainable livelihood programmes.

“We must make agriculture attractive, affordable, and profitable to harness our natural and human resources,” he said.

The governors pledged to continue working with international and local development partners to rebuild communities, resettle displaced persons, and expand regional infrastructure.

The meeting is expected to produce resolutions aimed at strengthening joint security operations, coordinating humanitarian interventions, and promoting regional trade and investment.

As the region continues its long road to recovery, the voices from Damaturu reaffirmed one thing: that the path to peace and prosperity lies in unity, shared vision, and bold action.

Northeast Governors renew call for joint action on insurgency, poverty at 11th forum meeting

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Army troops restore calm after farmers, herders clash in Sokoto

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Army troops restore calm after farmers, herders clash in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

The troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have restored normalcy to Karangiya and Danjawo villages in Silame Local Government Area following a violent clash between farmers and herders on Sunday.

Zagazola reliably informed by sources that the clash erupted at about 9 a.m. over alleged cultivation of farmlands along cattle routes.

According to the sources, the altercation between Hausa farmers from Karangiya and Fulani herders from Danjawo escalated into violence before security operatives intervened.

The troops swiftly moved to the scene to restore order.

Nine people from both sides five farmers and four herders sustained varying degrees of injuries. Five were treated and discharged at the Silame General Hospital, while three others are still receiving treatment.

The Chairman of Silame Local Government Area has convened an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to find a lasting solution to the dispute.

Intensive patrols and surveillance have been intensified in the affected communities, while calm has been restored.

Army troops restore calm after farmers, herders clash in Sokoto

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WANEP Hosts National Briefing on Rising Concerns of Religious Radicalism•Highlights risks of unregulated Madrassas in Nigeria

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WANEP Hosts National Briefing on Rising Concerns of Religious Radicalism
•Highlights risks of unregulated Madrassas in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), under the EU-supported Research and Action for Peace (REcAP) program, hosted a national deliberative briefing to present key findings from two studies exploring the ideological, cultural, and security implications of madrassas in both Northern and Southwestern Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement made available on Monday by Mr Emmanuel Ami-Okhani, the representative of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) in Nigeria.

The session was attended by policymakers, researchers, civil society actors, and security stakeholders, focused on understanding how religious education intersects with radical ideologies, external funding, and youth identity in Nigeria.

The REcAP project, implemented by WANEP in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), aims to strengthen the role of civil society and research in shaping effective responses to conflict, violent extremism, and peacebuilding across West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin.

One of the working paper presentations of a major study titled “Madrasas, Charities and Religious Radicalism in Northern Nigeria: A Study of the Almajiri System,” authored by Prof. Freedom Onuoha, Dr Saheed Babajide Owonikoko, and Dr Chukwuma Okoli, explored the theological foundations and operational structures of the Almajiri system, particularly in Abuja, Kano, and Borno states, regions selected for their population size, security relevance, and Islamic education presence.

The research highlighted that the Almajiri system, rooted in the Arabic term al-muhajirun (meaning “to migrate for knowledge”), has historically served as a respected Islamic education platform but has since suffered neglect, a lack of regulation, and infiltration by unverified foreign actors.

According to Owonikoko, who presented the paper, the study found evidence of informal funding from foreign religious charities, mainly from the Middle East. Still, it warned that such support is largely undocumented, making it difficult to monitor for extremist influence.

He disclosed that, based on interviews conducted with school custodians, scholars, former Almajiri students, and security agents, a key concern is the lack of transparency surrounding financial donations and the ideological content introduced by some foreign-linked clerics.

He cited historical and contemporary cases where charities from countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran supported specific sectarian ideologies within Almajiri schools. However, direct links between this support and actual radicalisation remain hard to legally establish due to the clandestine nature of donations.

Owonikoko noted during the presentation that “most Almajiri schools are not documented or supervised, making them vulnerable to ideological manipulation through informal funding channels.”

“While the majority of Almajiri students are peaceful and focused on Quranic education, the lack of structure creates loopholes that can be exploited by extremist elements.”

A second study titled “Madrassas and Islamic Extremism among Teenage Muslim Students in Southwestern Nigeria” was presented by Dr Busari Dauda of the University of Ilorin. Co-authored with Dr Alatise Remi Kasalla from Osogbo, provided an empirical view of how madrassas are shaping youth religious identity in the South-West amidst growing ideological influences from the Middle East.

Unlike the Northern context, madrassas in Ilorin, Ibadan, and Osogbo were found to be more structured, often registered with education ministries and integrated into Yoruba Islamic cultural life, Dr Dauda revealed.

However, the study noted that sectarian interests and prestige-seeking among madrassa founders contribute to the proliferation of ideologically driven schools. Economic motivations and cultural acceptance also play significant roles in their expansion.

Dauda, during his presentation, stressed that, while the study found no widespread evidence of violent radicalisation, it did highlight growing perceptions of global injustice among teenage students, particularly around issues like the Palestinian conflict and Western treatment of Muslims.

He said, these sentiments, amplified by digital media and foreign ideological narratives, shape how young Muslims interpret their religious and social identity.

Dauda emphasised that “extremism is not part of the curriculum, but ideological influences can filter in through sect-based teachings and global narratives of Muslim victimhood.”

WANEP Hosts National Briefing on Rising Concerns of Religious Radicalism
•Highlights risks of unregulated Madrassas in Nigeria

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Army troops recover 70 rustled livestock after gun duel with bandits in Katsina

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Army troops recover 70 rustled livestock after gun duel with bandits in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Army troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in Katsina have recovered 70 goats and several sheep after engaging suspected bandits in a fierce gun battle in Bakori Local Government Area of the state.

Sources indicated that the incident occurred on Oct. 25, 2025, at about 11:50 p.m., when armed men suspected to be bandits loyal to a notorious leader known as “Abaku Aiki” who reportedly distanced himself from the recent peace accord invaded Ganjar and Alhazawa, two remote villages under Bakori LGA.

The bandits reportedly kidnapped an unspecified number of residents and rustled several domestic animals during the attack.

The troops in collaboration with other security agencies intercepted the bandits at Laila Forest. A sustained exchange of gunfire ensued, forcing the criminals to abandon the stolen animals and flee into the forest.

The sources confirmed that 70 goats and some sheep were successfully recovered, while efforts are ongoing to track the fleeing bandits and rescue the abducted victims.

The troops assured residents of continuous patrol and collaboration with security agencies to ensure peace and stability in the area.

Army troops recover 70 rustled livestock after gun duel with bandits in Katsina

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