News
Post-Insurgency: Craftec Homes, Obtuse Tec, others to invest N10 billion into Borno Infrastructural Renaissance

Post-Insurgency: Craftec Homes, Obtuse Tec, others to invest N10 billion into Borno Infrastructural Renaissance
By Our Reporter
As part of efforts to key into Governor Babagana Zulum’s 25-year “Development Plan’’ that would drive stabilization, boost recovery efforts and stimulate growth across all sectors and the 10- Year Transformation Strategy that was unveiled in November 2020 by the Borno State Government, Craftec Homes ltd, Obtuse Tec Engineering and Construction ltd is to partner with TAJ Bank, First City Monument Bank, FCMB and other business developers to invest about N10 billion in Jere Local Government Area and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, MMC.
This was disclosed on Tuesday at Conference Hall, Prime Lodge, Maiduguri by the Project Manager of Craftec Homes ltd, Engr Grema Hamzah while unveiling ‘Borno Corporate Infrastructural Renaissance’.
He said the over-decade atrocities posed by insurgents and their attendant consequences of destruction require private investors and other development partners to support the Government in the post-insurgency era, so as to provide critical infrastructures and create job opportunities for the teaming youths in Borno.
To this end, Engr Hamzah observes that Maiduguri city’s population is growing due to rural-urban migration, and this trend is likely to continue, which is, in turn, a substantial motivation for infrastructure growth.
“Maiduguri City which is now peaceful continue to witness a rapid expansion of financial service providers, Information Technology, IT and financial technology Enterprises, as well as an increase in the number of relatively high-income buyers and tenants who require more high-quality commercial centres.
“Therefore, these companies are willing to invest in Commercial Joint Infrastructure to the tune of N10 billion. The investment will start with four Mega structures to include; Tech Mall, Renaissance Mall, Craftec Shopping Centre each with (A four-storey building with a mixed-use centre consisting of retail space and A-grade offices along the famous Ahmadu Bello Way, in addition to Exquisite Mall (A six-storey building with mixed-use Centre consisting of retail space and A-grade offices at Circular Raid, all in Maiduguri.
“The Borno Corporate Infrastructure Renaissance is a 100% transactional platform to develop projects, at-risk deals, fast track the closure of deals, and improve the business environment for investments to thrive.
“Craftec Home is not alone in this business, as we are on this platform together with our co-partners, Obtuse Tec Engineering and Construction ltd, Otec MFM, TAJ Bank and FCMB. This is aimed to fast track investments, creating wealth and unleash prosperity for Borno people”. He said.
In his keynote address, Member House of Representatives, Jere Federal Constituency, Hon, Engr Ahmed Satomi who was the former Chairman of Obtuse Tec Engineering and construction ltd, said, as a Board member of the company, this initiative is apt and timely, as it will provide an opportunity to about 70% of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) marketers who are mostly youths across the state.
Satomi pointed out that, depending on government alone is no longer visible considering the dwindling economy, adding that, with this new development, more jobless people in Borno would be taken out of the streets and become economically self-reliant.
The Lawmaker called on well-to-do individuals, and business partners to embrace this new initiative and invest heavily to develop Borno economically.
Also contributing, the Managing Director, Obtuse Tech, Engr Umar Lawan, said his construction company, was established in May 2013, which is an indigenous firm that specializes in civil engineering works and services such as infrastructural development, roads and drainage, bridges, solar installation, import and export of general civil engineering design and other related jobs.
He added that, in 2020, the company after its Annual General Meeting, AGM, decided to diversify into three sectors; Agriculture, Aviation and Banking.
“Today is another milestone in partnering with Craftec Homes to showcase our capacity in Corporate Commercial Infrastructure Development, CCID.
“We are also partnering with Otec, Financial Tech Micro Finance Bank where our core target is to fill in the 39 million gap of non-inclusion in Northern Nigeria”. Engr Lawan stated.
News
Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Recent reports claiming that former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), narrowly escaped death in an alleged Boko Haram ambush in Borno State are categorically false and misleading.
Zagazola Makama can confirm that there was never any attack on the retired general, contrary to statements made by Senator Ali Ndume and recklessly amplified by several media outlets without a shred of verification.
What actually happened was a coordinated three-pronged attack by ISWAP terrorists on military facilities in Buratai town, Biu Local Government Area, on Friday. The assault targeted the Battalion Headquarters, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and Command Secondary School – not Lt.-Gen. Buratai or any convoy associated with him.
Let us be clear:
Lt.-Gen. Buratai was nowhere near the ambush, and at no point was his life in danger. This is not a matter of semantics, it’s a matter of truth versus dangerous misinformation.
Zagazola Makama, has previously reported how the ground troops, with critical support from Nigerian Air Force Super Tucano jets, repelled the attackers decisively.
During the encounter, two ISWAP gun trucks were destroyed, while a third was recovered during follow-up operations. Several terrorists were killed, including over 20 in airstrikes during their retreat through Mangari.
So how did this snowball into a national headline falsely claiming a “near-death” experience for the former army chief?
Because some politicians spoke irresponsibly, and certain media platforms ran with the story without basic verification, an unforgivable dereliction of journalistic duty, especially in a region as sensitive as the North East.
The media owes the public and the Armed Forces of Nigeria the duty of responsible reporting, not alarmist fiction wrapped in sensational headlines. The security situation in Buratai is under control, and troops continue to dominate the area to prevent any further attacks.
Let this stand as a final and factual rebuttal:
There was NO attack on Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai. Period. Stop twisting the truth for cheap headlines.
Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno
News
Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad
By: Zagazola Makama
As part of ongoing efforts to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and deny them freedom of action, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has conducted another successful air interdiction mission at a terrorist enclave in Bukar Meram, located in the southern axis of the Lake Chad region.
Zagazola Makama was reliably informed by sources that the mission, which was executed in the early hourz of Monday, June 9, at about 0545 hours, was carried out under the auspices of Operation KALACHEN WUTA II.
The sources said that the operation formed part of a broader strategy aimed at disrupting terrorist activities before, during, and after the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah period.
He said that intelligence-led surveillance revealed that the terrorists were regrouping at the Bukar Meram location with intent to launch coordinated attacks on Marte and Monguno general areas.
Prompted by this credible intelligence, the Air Component swiftly mobilised to engage the enclave. Airstrikes were conducted with precision, leading to the neutralisation of several terrorists.
The strikes also resulted in the destruction of critical terrorist logistics, including supply vehicles, makeshift shelters, and weapons storage points.
The decimation of the enclave not only inflicted significant losses on the terrorists but also disrupted their operational planning and movement.
The sources added that Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted after the mission confirmed that the planned attacks on Marte and Monguno were effectively thwarted.
Further intelligence gathering is ongoing to assess enemy reactions and possible movement patterns following the successful interdiction. Ground troops have also been placed on heightened alert to exploit the gains of the airstrike and maintain pressure on fleeing remnants.
Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad
News
French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel
By: Zagazola Makama
A 67-year-old French national, Mr. Pietier Gilles, has been found dead at a hotel in Gboko town in Benue state.
Zagazola Makama report that the deceased, believed to be a French tourist, was found dead on Saturday at Hotel Jovina, Gbokon, where he had lodged on June 6.
According to a police sources, on Sunday, the hotel manager, Mr. Emmanuel Terhide Laha, reported the incident to the “A” Division Police Station at about 5:45 p.m. on June 8.
Laha informed the police that the tourist fell ill on June 7 but declined to be taken to a hospital. Concerned about his deteriorating condition, the hotel management brought in a medical practitioner to examine him. He was, however, discovered to have died.
“On receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer led a patrol team to the hotel where photographs of the scene were taken. The body was evacuated to the General Hospital in Gboko for preservation and autopsy,” the police said.
Gilles reportedly arrived in Nigeria from Niger Republic on May 19, 2025, traveling on a sports bicycle as part of what is believed to be a long-distance tour.
Police sources said investigation will be conducted, and all relevant diplomatic channels are being engaged to handle the situation appropriately.
French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel
-
News1 year ago
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year ago
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year ago
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year ago
Tinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics10 months ago
Kashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident