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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
Suspected Repentant B’Haram Insurgents Burn NDLEA, NCS Checkpoints In Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A group of suspected repentant Boko Haram insurgents, on Wednesday May 1, 2024 stormed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Customs Service checkpoints at Kasuwan Fara, a suburb of Maiduguri metropolis, chasing away the personnel on duty and setting ablaze all structures at the checkpoints.
The incident, according to investigation by Zagazola Makama, followed a fierce encounter between the suspected ex Boko Haram combatants and the police at the Kasuwan Fara Divisional Police Office.
The suspected repentant insurgents, reportedly wearing military uniform, had pounced on the police office to forcefully set free their eight colleagues arrested at the suburb over criminal activities bordering on dealing in hard drugs.
The arrest was made on April 24 during a raid carried out by the police on the notorious spot at the criminals-ridden Kasuwan Fara.
Due to the rise and persistence of criminal activities and sinister operations by drug peddlers comprising dismissed military personnel, repentant insurgents and other hoodlums, who assemble there to conduct nefarious activities, the area had since been earmarked for closure by Borno State Government.
The April 24 raid, where the eight suspected repentant insurgents were arrested and 426 bottles of spirits such as dry gin confiscated, was conducted to sanitize the area, pending the final closure.
The arrested persons were detained at the Kasuwan Fara police division since the day of their arrest.
Subsequently, at about 7:40 am of Thursday, May 2, a dozen of the suspected repentant insurgents in military uniform, stormed the Kasuwan Fara police station in an attempt to rescue their arrested fellows.
The Divisional Police Officer alongside his men were able to repel the attack while the perpetrators fled.
Consequently, the assailants, in an apparent transfer of aggression, reverted to attacking NDLEA and NCS personnel checkpoint along the Maiduguri-Gubio road Kasuwan Fara, where they burnt down the checkpoints alongside the sandbags heaped on the road and fled the scene.
Borno Police Command spokesman, ASP Kenneth Daso, who confirmed the incident, said investigations are ongoing to apprehend the attackers, and the arrested eight suspects have been transferred to Anti-Crack Squad Div HQ for further action.
Suspected Repentant B’Haram Insurgents Burn NDLEA, NCS Checkpoints In Borno
FG Condemns Stabbing of 14 Years Old Nigerian Student in East London
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has condemned the killing of 14 years old Nigerian, Daniel Anjorin at school in Hainault, East London, United Kingdom.
Daniel Anjorin was stabbed to death even while dressed in his school uniform in Hainault, East London, on Tuesday by a man who went on rampage with knife leaving four others injured.
The Chairman/ CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri- Erewa while condoling with the family of the 14 years old Daniel Anjorin on his murder, in a statement by Head of Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, described the incident as very unfortunate, sad and gruesome
She condoled with the family of the deceased and the Nigerian communities in the United Kingdom (UK), praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased, whose life was cut short on Tuesday.
Dabiri-Erewa said she is optimistic that drastic measures will be used to make sure that the culprit who is already in police custody will be punished accordingly.
FG Condemns Stabbing of 14 Years Old Nigerian Student in East London
Vice Principal leads AI training for teachers in Northern Cross River
By: Michael Mike
Vice principal of Government Secondary school, Adagom, and Microsoft Certified Educator, Mike Udam, has taken the lead in introducing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programme for educators in Northern Cross River.
The programme aims to equip teachers with the necessary skills to effectively utilize AI tools in teaching and learning, receiving enthusiastic feedback and appreciation from its participants.
Driven by his fervor for advancing education through technology, Mr. Udam highlighted the transformative potential of AI in the classroom.
Through practical demonstrations and discussions, he showcased diverse AI applications, enlightening fellow teachers on the myriad possibilities AI offers in education.
In a statement, Mr. Udam articulated that his initiative stemmed from a desire to contribute positively to his colleagues’ professional growth.
“Empowering teachers with AI knowledge can greatly enhance educational quality and impact students’ lives,” he emphasized, underscoring his commitment to fostering educational excellence.
Attendees commended Mr. Udam for his dedication and forward-thinking approach, recognizing the training as a vital step in their professional development.
Many expressed gratitude, acknowledging the initiative’s role in bridging crucial gaps in their skill sets, while some remarked on the absence of similar governmental efforts.
The ripple effects of this AI training endeavor are anticipated to reverberate throughout Northern Cross River’s educational sphere, as teachers embrace innovative tools and methodologies to enrich student learning experiences.
Under Mr. Udam’s guidance, AI’s potential to revolutionize education in the region has been ignited, promising a brighter future for educators and learners alike.
Vice Principal leads AI training for teachers in Northern Cross River
Suspected Repentant B’Haram Insurgents Burn NDLEA, NCS Checkpoints In Borno
FG Condemns Stabbing of 14 Years Old Nigerian Student in East London
Vice Principal leads AI training for teachers in Northern Cross River
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