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Recurring Fire Outbreaks at IDP Camps: Borno Police Nab Suspects
Recurring Fire Outbreaks at IDP Camps: Borno Police Nab Suspects
By: Zagazola Makama
The Borno Police Command have arrested at least four suspects for deliberately causing fire outbreaks in Borno Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) camps.
There has been a series of recurring fire incidents in Maiduguri, Monguno, Mafa and Gubio, atleast 15 incidents within the past four years, which has resulted in the loss of life and immeasurable losses to the displaced persons who had already suffered the brunt of the 13 years insurgency in the state.
It has become a normal routine for IDPs Camps in Borno to be gutted by fire especially during the harmattan period. It was earlier suspected that the IDPs were allegedly setting their camps on fire in order to get government attention due to hunger and poor living conditions, while on the other hand SEMA blamed the IDPs for not being cautious against the use of fire while cooking.
But things took another twist On March 24, 2024, at about 1013hrz, when three suspects were apprehended in an attempt to set a house ablaze in Mafa local governments area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that one Bulama Mante in company of Baba Kachallah Dukje, a hunter from Mafa LGA apprehended three of the suspects; Mallum Usman, Bulama Bukar Kuri, Rawa Usman,all from Mafa IDPs camp and handed over to the police.
They were arrested with matches while trying to set a house ablaze.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the trio were behind many of the recurrence fire incidents at IDPs camp within the state.
The suspects confessed that they were contracted by a firewood vendor, one Babagana Dikwa, 40 years old of Muna IDPs camp, who gave them N10,000 to set fire in places.
They also confessed to be responsible for several fire incidents recorded in Muna, Gubio, and Monguno IDPs camp. It is believed that when they burnt IDPs camp, they will gain unimaginable wealth in the future depending on the damages inflicted by the fire.
NGO’s Paid Us to put fire in IDPs camp
Meanwhile, another suspect was apprehended suspected to be responsible for causing the recent fire in Monguno IDPs camp.
The suspect who appeared in a viral video alleged that he was contracted by two Non Government Organisations providing humanitarian services in Borno to set fire in Internally Displaced Persons camps in the state.
The suspects who were arrested by Civilian JTF, said that he was among the four people those engaged by the NGOs (names withheld) to carry out several arson in different camps and were paid N10,000 once the Job is done.
Zagazola could independently verify the allegations made by the suspect against the NGOs.
We Have Not Concluded Involvement of Any NGOs in setting fire in Camps- Police
Responding, Borno Police Commissioner, Yusuf Lawal, who confirmed the arrest of four suspects who were currently at the Command’s crime investigative units, said it was yet to be substantiated if NGOs were involved.
Lawal said that there were two incidents; one of them was recorded in Monguno where a suspect was recorded in a video claiming that he was contracted by two NGOs to carry out arson and another one in Mafa where three people were arrested in connection with the same crime.
“We are yet to establish if the two incidents were related but those we arrested have already confessed that they were contracted by a fire wood seller in the Muna general area to set fire in places. We have arrested him and are currently undergoing investigation at the Crime Investigation Department,”he said.
The Police Commissioner warned people against spreading unsubstantiated rumors noting that the police will investigate the matter and make it known to the general public.
Borno Govt. Summoned NGOs for preliminary interrogation.
Prof. Usman Tar, Commissioner of Information and Internal Security said the Government has received reports from reliable sources regarding suspected cases of fire outbreaks in some IDP camps within the State.
Tar said this recent rise in frequency of infernos in IDP camps has been a matter of concern, and all hands are on deck to forestall any further occurrence of fire outbreaks in the State. The Government has been investigating the occurrence of the infernos on a case-by-case basis, with a view to establishing the remote and extant causes, and developing a strategy to stem future occurrence.
“On 29 March 2024, the Ministry of Information and Internal Security received a report in which a suspect admitted that he and his “co-conspirators” were “hired” by some NGOs (names withheld) to set IDP camps on fire.
“This matter is under investigation and further necessary action shall only be taken on the basis of the outcome of the investigation. Those arrested are in detention undergoing intensive interrogation, while the NGOs who were pinpointed in the alleged violent practice have been summoned for preliminary interrogation.
The Government assures members of the public that this matter will receive appropriate and expedited attention, and any culprit will be dealt with according to the law.
“Meanwhile, members of the public are urged to be calm, peaceful and law-abiding. Any breach of security should be reported to the nearest law enforcement agency or traditional rulers for transmission to the relevant authority,”he said.
Recurring Fire Outbreaks at IDP Camps: Borno Police Nab Suspects
Zulum Congratulates Daniel Bwala on Appointment as Special Adviser to the President
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has congratulated Barrister Daniel Bwala on his appointment as the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication.
Governor Zulum described the appointment as well-deserved, noting that Barrister Bwala has distinguished himself not only in the legal profession but also in the fields of public relations and communication.
The governor expressed confidence that Bwala will leverage his extensive experience to effectively manage the media image of the president, especially at this critical period of the nation’s history.
As a proud indigene of Borno State, Governor Zulum emphasized his belief that Barrister Bwala will contribute significantly to projecting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and advancing the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his statement, Governor Zulum said: “Bwala is an inspiration to many young people in Nigeria. He is frank, cerebral, and has immensely contributed to the advancement of our democracy through his constant public engagements in the media space. This is indeed a well-deserved appointment.”
Governor Zulum extended his best wishes to Barrister Daniel Bwala for a successful tenure in office as he takes on this important national role.
Buni consoles Kalli over his wife’s demise
By: Yahaya Wakili
Governor Mai Mala Buni CON of Yobe state has condoled with the family of Alhaji Kashim Kalli Tijjani, permanent secretary protocol, over the passing of his wife Hajiya Hadiza.
Governor Buni described the death of Hajiya Hadiza as a sad and great loss to the family and the community.
“She will be remembered as a humble wife, a great mother, and a dedicated civil servant who handled all responsibilities assigned to her with diligence.”
Similarly, Governor Mai Mala Buni commiserated with the family of Alhaji Larema Baktama, who died recently in Damaturu.
The governor further condoled with the Mai Sanda family over the death of their mother and grandmother, Hajiya Ya-Kolo Lawan.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive their shortcomings and grant them eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdausi.
“May Allah (SWT) admit their souls into Aljannatul Firdaus.
“May He grant members of their families the fortitude to bear the sad loss of their loved ones.
Buni consoles Kalli over his wife’s demise
EU Says It’s Interested in Stable, United, Prosperous Nigeria
…Inaugurates 25 Young People into Youth Sounding Board
By: Michael Mike
The European Union (EU) has explained that its main interest in Nigeria is to help in building a stable, united, prosperous, and sustainable future.
It made this revelation at the inauguration of the second cohort of the Youth Sounding Board (YSB) Nigeria, comprising 25 young people drawn from across the country.
Through the YSB Nigeria, the European Union provides a platform for young people to have an influence on the policies and programmes by the EU Delegation in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the European Union Ambassador-designate to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, explained that through the programme, the EU hopes to enable active engagement and exchanges between young people and decision-makers.
He further stated that the YSB has been advising the EU Delegation on youth participation and empowerment across a broad range of topics, such as employment, education, environment and climate change, human rights and democracy, peace and security, digitalisation, technology, gender, and social inclusion.
He said: “Sometimes, the EU is asked what its interest, purpose, and objective are in cooperating with Nigeria. Our main interest is to help this country build a stable, united, prosperous, and sustainable future. This is also in our interest.
“Young people are the future. Now, there is a stronger inter-generational gap. This is because society has changed, technology has changed, and there are, perhaps, more differences between how young people are living their formative years compared to older generations,” he said.
Mignot further noted that the YSB was created to influence the EU Delegation’s interventions and its impact on local communities across Nigeria. “Only young people know what other young people expect, need, and yearn for. That is why the voice of young people is so important,” he added.
Speaking about the expectations for the new cohort of the YSB, he said, “Today, we welcome another group of 25 remarkable young Nigerians who remind us of the vast potential inherent within this country. The selection process started in May 2024. We received over 3,000 applications from young people across Nigeria. It was a very selective process, and we conducted three rounds of selection to identify the 25 individuals who now form this second cohort.
“Each of these 25 young people has a strong passion for youth inclusion and I am very hopeful that over the course of their tenure as members of the Youth Sounding Board, they will build on the results achieved by the first cohort and make their own mark in ensuring that the European Union’s interventions are increasingly youth-inclusive.”
Iswat Badmus, a youth development and engagement expert and a member of the pioneer cohort of the YSB Nigeria, said, “Being a YSB member has been eye-opening for me because, through my work as a Youth and Policy Advisor with the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, I was able to understand the workings of the EU in Nigeria and also understand the struggles of young people in Nigeria when it comes to getting their voices heard and participating in decision-making processes.
“So far, my key contribution as a YSB member is amplifying the voices of young people—that is, acting as an intermediary between young people and the EU. I let the EU know what young people clamour for and how they can fully protect their interests when it comes to projects, policies, and programmes.
“To the incoming YSB members, I say congratulations to you. One key piece of advice I will give is to come in with huge energy, fresh perspectives, and innovations, and work as a team. Your team spirit is what will help you move forward and faster.”
EU Says It’s Interested in Stable, United, Prosperous Nigeria
Zulum Congratulates Daniel Bwala on Appointment as Special Adviser to the President
Buni consoles Kalli over his wife’s demise
EU Says It’s Interested in Stable, United, Prosperous Nigeria
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