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NUJ urges FG to assist terrorism, banditry-afflicted states

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NUJ urges FG to assist terrorism, banditry-afflicted states

NUJ urges FG to assist terrorism, banditry-afflicted states

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently assist the most affected states by banditry and terrorism in the North West and North East regions with remedial intervention.

This is to ameliorate the effects of the hunger that will be experienced this year, because of the limited access to farmlands by the farmers.

”Food security is of vital importance to the nation,” the union said in a communique issued on Wednesday in Abuja at the end of its Inaugural National Executives Council meeting held between March 13 and March 14, in Birnin Kebbi.

The communique was signed by the National Secretary of the union, Mr Shuaibu Leman, Walin Shadalafiya.

It added: ”NEC applauds the military operations against the murderous activities of Non-State Actors.

”The meeting however regrets that in recent times we have witnessed more vicious attacks on villages and rural communities and the consequent imminent humanitarian crisis in the region.

”While NEC urges the Military to sustain their operations, especially as the rainy season is approaching so as to enable farmers to have access to their farmlands without any fear.

”It calls on the Federal Government to provide all the requirements for the Armed Forces to enable them to achieve the desired results”.

On the government’s efforts at rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant Boko Haram terrorists into the society, the union appealed for circumspection to avoid recycling insurgents and creating a pseudo feeling of rewarding criminality.

”NEC observes that the farmers/herders relations over the years in the country continues to cause huge losses, because of the ravaging consequences of the activities of various violent groups,” it added.

This, the union stated, is especially in the seven states of North West; Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto and Jigawa, and the North Central State of Niger.

According to the communique, NEC charges the federal government to take urgent steps to avert a complete breakdown of law and order.

”These attacks have doubled the numbers of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) all over the said areas.

”This explains the increase in Women and Children Sexual Abuse, as some families are forced to surrender their female children in exchange for protection and security.

”NEC cautions against allowing the situation to fester beyond what is obtainable currently.

”NEC suggests that as a step towards curtailing the age-long development issues in the North West and North East Regions and indeed all over the country.

”There should be observance and implementation of good governance which will promote development that is essentially free of abuse and corruption, and with due regards to the rule of law,” the communiqué read in part.

The NUJ said in view of the perilous nature of security in the country, NEC tasked journalists to be mindful of the pernicious effects of fake news and avoid being part of its propagation.

In the same vein, the union asserted that while leaders should be held accountable to the people by the media, criticisms should be done in an objective manner devoid of any sentiments and bias.

”This is one of the ways journalists can help sustain democracy.

”NEC expresses concern that education in the states of the North West and North East regions has been severely affected.

”Many children are now unable to attend schools because of fear, while others are dropping out of elementary schools and only a few others are able to transit to secondary schools.

”NEC expresses alarm that violence has not only negatively affected the educational development of children all over these regions, but it has also affected the availability of educational materials and infrastructure.

”NEC believes there is need to declare State of Emergency in education in the affected areas to avert a catastrophe.”

The communique added that the union has called for meaningful dialogue and consideration by both the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve the seemingly intractable problems of Nigerian universities.

READ ALSO: Army To Conducts Shooting Training In Katsina

According to the NUJ, the perennial strikes are placing the country as a nation without value for education.

”NEC appeals to the Federal Government to rise up to the challenges of increasing cases of internet fraud, also known as ‘yahoo yahoo’, ritual killings and kidnappings that have taken dangerous dimensions in the country.

”Meeting laments the hardships Nigerians are going through as a result of the hike in prices of petroleum products which are in high demand.

”It urges the government to take urgent steps to revert the trend. In particular, NEC cautions against allowing the Aviation Sector to collapse as a result of the ugly situation where Airlines are being grounded because of lack of aviation fuel.

”NEC views with alarm the attempt by media regulatory bodies in the country to gag the press under the guise of ‘National Security.

”The rampant issuance of unnecessary fines and sanctions are repulsive and against a free press and democratic governance,” it continued.

In the communique, the union expressed profound appreciation to Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebni State for graciously approving and providing the needed resources for the hosting of the NEC meeting in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the communique also quoted the union as lauding the government and people of Kebbi state for the hospitality accorded NEC members.

”Council appeals to His Excellency, the Governor to continue the good works he is executing for the people of the state and for his continued support to members of the state council of the NUJ to discharge their duties creditably,” it concluded.

NAN

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Council Durbar inaugurated to revive cultural heritage—Committee Secretary

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Council Durbar inaugurated to revive cultural heritage—Committee Secretary

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Bade emirate council durbar committee was inaugurated three years ago by His Royal Highness, the Mai of Bade, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Suleiman, with sole responsibility to revive and improve the cultural heritage of the emirate.

The secretary of the committee, Alhaji Sale Garba Suleiman, disclosed this to newsmen in Gashua, the headquarters of the emirate. He said, By reviving our cultural heritage, our younger generation will grow up with their own culture.

He revealed that the committee will solicit advice and cooperation from the Yobe State Art and Culture Board to improve and boost our cultural heritage and also advise other emirates to emulate what the Bade Emirate Council is doing.

Sale maintained that his royal father was the first person who put his contribution into the committee account; therefore, he appealed to all sons and Bade emirate lovers to contribute generously to this committee.

The Secretary thanks and deeply appreciates the leadership of His Royal Highness, the Mai of Bade, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Suleiman, for his dedication to preserving the rich cultural heritage of Bade.

He also commended the effort of Hon. Yau Usman Dachia, Deputy Speaker of the Yobe House of Assembly, for his support, encouragement, and contribution to rendering this committee able to execute its function successfully.

Council Durbar inaugurated to revive cultural heritage—Committee Secretary

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CLARIFICATION: No New Terrorist Group in Kwara, Mahmouda is a Boko Haram Commander Collaborating with Bandits

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CLARIFICATION: No New Terrorist Group in Kwara, Mahmouda is a Boko Haram Commander Collaborating with Bandits

By: Zagazola Makama

Contrary to recent reports circulating on social and traditional media suggesting the emergence of a new terrorist organization in Kwara State, security sources have clarified that no new group has been formed. The figure at the center of these reports, Mahmouda, is not a name of a new terrorist group, but rather a known Boko Haram commander.

Mahmouda is a veteran Boko Haram fighter who initially operated in Borno State before relocating to Kaduna, where he briefly collaborated with the notorious terror kingpin, Sadiku. He later moved into the Shiroro and Rafi axis of Niger State, where he aligned with the remnants of Darul Salam, recruiting dozens of youths and enforcing extremist laws particularly on Fulani herdsmen.

Security intelligence confirms that Mahmouda has since moved some of his fighters further southwest into the forests bordering Kwara State, where he has established ties with local bandit groups. These elements are not a new organization but are extensions of Boko Haram collaborating with bandits already operating in the North West.

This clarification comes in the wake of past denials from security agencies. When intelligence analyst Zagazola Makama previously raised the alarm about the movement of terrorists toward Kwara, the Police issued a rebuttal, describing the report as fear-mongering.

However, with recent attacks and the presence of insurgent elements now being confirmed in parts of Kwara, observers are questioning the responsiveness and preparedness of authorities.

“What will the Police say now that the very thing they denied has begun to happen?” a senior security source queried.

Authorities are now being urged to act swiftly and decisively to prevent Mahmouda and his collaborators from entrenching themselves in the North Central corridor. Analysts warn that failing to address this threat early could result in Kwara becoming another flashpoint in Nigeria’s protracted insurgency.

Security agencies have been advised to increase intelligence operations, deploy special forces, and establish a proactive counter-insurgency presence in border forests between Niger and Kwara states to neutralize the threat before it escalates.

CLARIFICATION: No New Terrorist Group in Kwara, Mahmouda is a Boko Haram Commander Collaborating with Bandits

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FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS

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FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS

By: Zagazola Makama

The government of Burkina Faso has announced the foiling of an attempted coup allegedly involving President Ibrahim Traoré’s Chief of Staff and a network of foreign and local actors, in what authorities describe as a sophisticated plot to assassinate the junta leader and destabilize the Sahel nation.

The accused high-ranking official, whose name has not been officially disclosed, was arrested after reportedly confessing to accepting a bribe of 25 billion CFA francs (approx. $41 million USD) and an arms shipment allegedly facilitated through Côte d’Ivoire with French involvement.

The plot, uncovered through a military-led internal investigation, was said to be in the advanced planning stages. The confession reportedly links foreign powers to the destabilization attempt, with security sources accusing France Burkina Faso’s former colonial ruler of channeling weapons through Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara’s network. The French and Ivorian governments have not responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.

“This is a grave betrayal of national sovereignty,” the Ministry of Security said in a statement. “The Burkinabé people remain resolute and united behind President Ibrahim Traoré, whose leadership continues to command overwhelming support in our fight against insecurity and external manipulation.”

The revelation has triggered increased security in Ouagadougou and its environs, with checkpoints erected across key routes and military deployments strengthened at sensitive installations. The government says nine individuals, including foreign nationals, have so far been arrested in connection to the attempted coup.

Since assuming power in 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traoré has charted a new course in Burkina Faso’s foreign relations, distancing from Western powers particularly France and deepening strategic and military ties with Russia and fellow juntas in Mali and Niger under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

This realignment has heightened tensions in West Africa, with regional power blocs increasingly split between pro-Western governments and military-led regimes advocating self-determination and reduced foreign interference. Security experts suggest that Traoré’s pivot and strong anti-colonial rhetoric may have provoked foreign interests seeking to retain influence in the mineral-rich nation.

However, Zagazola could not independently verify the claims of external funding or logistical support to the coup plotters.

Burkina Faso has faced growing insecurity with large portions of its territory under the control of jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Multiple coups, the most recent in 2022, have reflected the country’s fragile political climate and rising frustration over government inaction. Traoré’s administration has pursued aggressive counter-insurgency campaigns and citizen mobilization, gaining popularity among some segments of the population but also drawing criticism for limited democratic oversight.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region

FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS

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