Zulum flags off Ramadan palliative for 300,000 households in Borno’s 27 LGAs

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has launched the distribution of Ramadan palliatives to 300,000 households across all 27 local government areas of the state.

 The intervention is designed to cushion the economic burden on vulnerable residents during the holy month of Ramadan.

Each beneficiary will receive one bag of rice, one bag of millet and 10 kg of sugar.

Speaking at Ramat Square, the venue for the distribution exercise on Tuesday, Zulum urged the committee tasked with the exercise to adhere to the highest standards of transparency and fairness.

He said, “To the committee in charge of this distribution, let transparency be your watchword. Let fairness be your guide. These items are not for sale. They are not for your friends or family members who do not need them. 

“They are for the widow, the orphan, the internally displaced, the farmer whose fields have not fully recovered, and the daily wage earner struggling to make ends meet. Any officer found diverting these items will face the full wrath of the law.”

The governor also noted that the distribution would be extended to Christian residents who are coincidentally observing the Lent period, which overlaps with the Muslim fasting season this year.

This gesture will also touch the non-Muslims who are also fasting the lent which falls within the month of Ramadan,” Zulum ordered.

Zulum’s administration had consistently supported Christian communities in the state, particularly during festive seasons.

 Each year, the governor approves the distribution of food items to Christian faithful celebrating Christmas and free transport for non-indigenous Christians who wish to travel to other parts of the country to celebrate their holidays with family and loved ones.

In their remarks, the senator representing Borno Central, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan and the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, commended Governor Zulum for supporting the vulnerable in their most critical moment.

In his welcome address, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ali Abdullahi Isa, reiterated the agency’s readiness to ensure hitch-free distribution.

The ceremony was attended by members of the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba and Abdulkadir Rahis, the speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdkarim Lawan and principal officers of the House, the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, among many other senior government officials.

Zulum flags off Ramadan palliative for 300,000 households in Borno’s 27 LGAs

Bauchi Police arrests father for chaining son for 17 years

By: Zagazola Makama

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 72-year-old man for allegedly chaining his 40-year-old biological son for 17 years in Shadawanka Village, on the outskirts of Bauchi Local Government Area.

Sources said the incident came to light on Feb. 16, 2026, at about 1:30 p.m., following a distress call from the community reporting the inhumane treatment.

The DPO of ‘B’ Division, together with officers from the Police Response and Special Patrol Unit (PRESPOL), led a team of detectives to the scene, where they found the victim helpless inside a room with a chain on his right leg.

The father, Malam Muhammad Lawan, was arrested and taken into custody, while the victim was rushed to ATBU Teaching Hospital for urgent medical attention.

Police sources said the case is under investigation and assured the public that perpetrators of such acts would be brought to justice.

Bauchi Police arrests father for chaining son for 17 years

Operation FANSAN YANMA troops rescue kidnapped residents, recover 30 sheep in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, alongside other joint security forces, successfully rescued ten residents abducted by suspected armed bandits in Madakin Hurya village, Kankara Local Government Area, and recovered 30 rustled sheep.

Sources said that at about 11:00 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2026, armed bandits attacked the village, abducting residents and stealing livestock. Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in coordination with Police and Civil Watch (CWATCH) units, were immediately deployed to the area and intercepted the assailants at the outskirts of the village.

A sustained gunfight ensued, forcing the bandits to flee into Gidan Jakibush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. The operation led to the safe rescue of all ten kidnapped victims, including Nasiru Yau, 50; Salisu Umar, 45; Habiba Ibrahim, 13; and seven others. Thirty stolen sheep were recovered and returned to the community.

Normalcy has been restored in Madakin Hurya, while cordon-and-search operations continue to track and apprehend the fleeing bandits. Further updates are expected.

Operation FANSAN YANMA troops rescue kidnapped residents, recover 30 sheep in Katsina