News
Ramat Polytechnic: Zulum offers 20 children of dead staff permanent jobs, tackles multiple challenges
Ramat Polytechnic: Zulum offers 20 children of dead staff permanent jobs, tackles multiple challenges
… Sets 14 days to clear all issues
… To construct 100 staff houses
… Targets January for promotional benefits
By Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum on Wednesday undertook a supervisory and interactive visit to the Ramat Polytechnic in Maiduguri, at which approved the permanent recruitment of 20 children of staff, with priority to those whose parents died working at the school.
The Governor also addressed multiple challenges after he sought to know from the academic and non-academic staff of the Polytechnic, the challenges they were facing, all of which they listed.
Zulum, a University Professor was a student of the Polytechnic from 1986 to 1988 for National Diploma in Irrigation Engineering before he became rector of the same school from 2011 to 2015.
As Governor, Zulum is now a visitor (overseer) to the state-owned polytechnic.
Professor Zulum has paid countless visits to the Polytechnic either to oversee activities, to commission projects or to lay foundation stones.
At Wednesday’s visit, Zulum directed a committee he had constituted from amongst staff of the school to fairly select 20 children of staff particularly those of deceased parents, after determining their qualifications for automatic employment as lecturers, instructors and other categories.
He also indicated readiness to approve other ways to support families of staff.
Before those 20 jobs to staffers’ children, Governor Zulum at a sitting, listened to numerous challenges enumerated by the Polytechnic’s rector, Dr Modu Z. Kyari and those listed by the school’s chairman, Academic Staff of Polytechnic (ASUP) AbdulRahman Shettima, former Chairman of Non- Academic Staff of Polytechnic (NASUP), Musa Umar Chiroma as well as the chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), Abba Aji Suleiman.
The Governor, in responses to the challenges raised differently by the three union representatives, directed the state’s commissioner of finance to within 24 hours, remit about N12m to the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, which was deducted from salaries for the purpose of union dues.
Zulum also directed the SSG to immediately convey approval for inclusion of two staff said to have been excluded from a new policy of a 65-years retirement age, which was extended from 60 years.
… Sets 14 days to clear all issues
Governor Zulum directed the state’s commissioner for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Babagana Mallambe Mustapha to compile all other issues raised by management and union representatives of the polytechnic for presentation to him.
Zulum promised to within two weeks, address those issues that could be dealt with while on others, he would work with union leaders to find ways of addressing them through the considerations of prevailing realities.
… To construct 100 staff houses at Ramat
Governor Zulum, in response to challenges of housing faced by staff, announced plans to approve the construction of 100 houses for staff of the polytechnic.
He however noted that such a project can only be started after the 2023 electioneering period.
The Governor promised the inclusion of ramat polytechnic staff during considerations for allocation of Government estates which are either being constructed and nearing completion or those that have been evacuated by internally displaced persons.
… Targets January for promotional benefits
Governor Zulum also announced that he hopes to approve the payment of promotional benefits by January 2023 which will be in three months time.
He noted that problems of shortage of finances in the midst of security and humanitarian interventions are amongst his drawbacks.
Nevertheless, he promised that Government will look at its finances with a view to paying promotional benefits in the coming year.
Ramat Polytechnic: Zulum offers 20 children of dead staff permanent jobs, tackles multiple challenges
News
Troops respond to attack in Bindi Community
Troops respond to attack in Bindi Community
By: Our Reporter
In a related development, troops deployed at Ganawuri also responded at about 11:30 a.m. the same day to a report of destruction of cabbage farms belonging to two residents, Mr. Haruna Badung and Mr. Elisha Musa, in Bindi community of Riyom LGA.
On arrival, the troops discovered that the Fulani herders responsible had fled the area with their cattle. Community leaders were subsequently invited by the troops to facilitate an amicable resolution and prevent escalation.

Similarly, in Mangu Local Government Area, troops of Sector 8 responded at about 12:30 p.m. to a report of injuries to a local resident, Mrs. Gift Zaphania, in a confrontation with a Fulani herder while fetching water at a stream in Maijankai village. The victim was found with injuries and was evacuated to a nearby clinic for medical attention.
The herder reportedly fled on sighting troops, abandoning 29 cattle, which were taken into custody pending further action.

Zagazola Makama’s series of reports has illustrated how cattle rustling, livestock poisoning, farm invasion by Fulani herders, and targeted attacks on pastoralists’ livelihoods by Berom militia in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu and Riyom LGAs have continued to fuel tensions and violent confrontations.
Both Berom and Fulani criminal elements have carried out coordinated attacks, sometimes leading to loss of lives and destruction of property across the affected local government areas.
Recent security operations have also uncovered networks involved in cattle rustling and illicit livestock trade. On April 19, operatives in Nasarawa State intercepted suspected stolen cattle linked to Plateau, leading to the arrest of a suspect in Lafia. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to purchasing twelve cows from a paramount ruler in Plateau State (name withheld), but transported only eleven due to limited vehicle capacity.

Further investigations identified the livestock as part of a herd rustled in 2025 from Bokkos, pointing to the scale and persistence of the problem.
Other similar incidents include the recovery of 48 rustled cattle in Yelwa, Barkin Ladi LGA, on April 15, and 92 cattle in Bassa LGA on April 13 after security forces pursued fleeing Berom suspects.
Such recurring incidents remain a major trigger for retaliatory violence, complicating peace efforts and heightening insecurity in affected communities.pp

Efforts are ongoing by troops and other security agencies to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.
Troops respond to attack in Bindi Community
News
Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents
Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist infiltration into Kanama town, neutralising four insurgents during a swift response operation in Borno State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 6:00 p.m. on April 22 when troops of 159 Battalion, deployed in Kanama, responded to sounds of gunfire within the town.
On arrival, the troops reportedly discovered that terrorists had infiltrated parts of the community.
The troops immediately made contact and engaged the attackers with disciplined fire, forcing them to retreat in disarray.
Subsequent exploitation of the general area led to the neutralisation of four terrorists.
One member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained injuries during the encounter and has been evacuated for medical attention.
No military equipment was lost during the operation.
Items recovered from the terrorists include two torchlight mobile phones and the sum of ₦21,000.
Security sources said the general situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high.
Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents
News
Dramatic Testimony Rocks Nwaukoni Terrorism Trial In Asaba — Doctor Confirms Gunshot Wounds In Palace Attack Case
Dramatic Testimony Rocks Nwaukoni Terrorism Trial In Asaba — Doctor Confirms Gunshot Wounds In Palace Attack Case
The high-profile terrorism trial in Charge No. FHC/ASB/18C/2024 took a dramatic and gripping turn this week at the Federal High Court, Asaba, as explosive evidence and powerful witness testimonies continue to unfold against Mike Nwaukoni (aka “Supu”) and his alleged accomplices.
Standing trial alongside him are prominent figures including Barrister Francis Okolie, Secretary of the Ogwashi-Uku Development Association (ODA), and Mazi Elue Adigwe, the association’s Secretary-General, among others accused in connection with the violent October 12, 2023 attack on the Palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.
🔴 Doctor’s Testimony Leaves Court in Silence
In what court observers have described as one of the most chilling moments of the trial so far, Dr. Ezeike Ugochukwu Godwin took the witness stand and delivered a clinical yet deeply emotional account of the injuries sustained by a vigilante operative assigned to protect the Palace.
The doctor confirmed that the victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including injuries to the head and upper limbs, describing in precise medical terms the severity of the trauma.
According to his testimony, the victim was brought into the emergency unit in a state of intense pain and critical distress, alongside several others wounded during the attack.
Dr. Ezeike further told the court that the patient was referred from the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ogwashi-Uku, reinforcing the official chain of response following the violent incident.
🔴 Police Investigator Details Chaos and Destruction
A day earlier, on April 21, 2026, the court heard from Inspector Ijeoma Ovat, the initial Investigating Police Officer (IPO), who painted a harrowing picture of the aftermath of the attack.
She testified about the widespread chaos, multiple casualties, and destruction that followed the invasion of the Palace during the controversial Ineh Festival. Crucially, she tendered photographic evidence showing heavily damaged police and vigilante vehicles, corroborating claims of a coordinated and violent assault.
Sources within the prosecution confirm that the damage to the vehicles was extensive and consistent with armed aggression.
🔴 Witnesses Tie Defendants to Armed
AssaultEarlier testimonies in the trial have reportedly identified the defendants as active participants, alleging they were armed with guns and other dangerous weapons during the attack. Witnesses have also pointed to Mike Nwaukoni as a central figure who allegedly instigated and coordinated the operation.
🔴 Passport Request Sparks Legal Firestorm
In a fresh development that has further intensified proceedings, lead prosecutors in the case including CSP Samuel Mallum Esq and A.I Aminu Esq from the Police Legal Directorate in Abuja have strongly opposed an application by Nwaukoni’s legal team seeking the temporary release of his international passport for overseas travel.
According to sources, the prosecution argued that granting such a request poses a serious flight risk, warning that the defendant could attempt to evade justice, seek asylum, or acquire foreign citizenship.
The prosecution also suggested that the move may be a deliberate tactic to delay the trial, particularly as significant portions of the case have already been established.
The matter has been adjourned for further consideration, with hearings expected to resume in late May, continuing into early June 2026.
🔴 Calm Returns to Ogwashi-Uku Amid Trial
Meanwhile, community sources in Ogwashi-Uku report a notable return of peace and stability since the commencement of the trial. Residents have expressed hope that the judicial process will be seen through to a swift and just conclusion, bringing lasting closure to one of the most serious security incidents in the Kingdom’s recent history.
Dramatic Testimony Rocks Nwaukoni Terrorism Trial In Asaba — Doctor Confirms Gunshot Wounds In Palace Attack Case
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