DSS files charges against arrested Ansaru commanders Abu Baraa and Mahmuda

By: Zagazola Makama

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed multiple charges against two arrested commanders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Abu Baraa and Mahmuda.

A security source confirmed the development to the Zagazola Makama on Friday.

The source said the suspects, who were recently apprehended in a covert operation, are facing terrorism-related charges under Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws.

The sources explained that the charges border on leadership of terrorist organisation, financing of terrorism, recruitment, and coordinating violent attacks in Nigeria.

According to the sources, the DSS has expedited investigations to ensure speedy prosecution in line with the directive of its Director-General, who emphasised professionalism, justice, and the protection of human rights in handling terrorism cases.

He added that the arraignment of the suspects before the Federal High Court, Abuja, is expected in the coming days.

DSS files charges against arrested Ansaru commanders Abu Baraa and Mahmuda

Gombe PDP chieftain Joins APC, lauds Tinubu, Yahaya’s infrastructure revolution

Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Jerry Damara, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging his full support for the administration of Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya.

Damara, well known in Kaltungo Local Government Area for his grassroots and community development projects, announced his defection and presented his membership card to Yahaya alongside some notable PDP stakeholders from Gombe South, including Tha’anda Rubainu, former Deputy Governor of Gombe State.
He commended Governor Yahaya’s achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, and the education sector, which he said have significantly transformed Gombe State.

Damara, who is the Managing Director/CEO of Mesotho Group Limited, explained that his decision to join the APC was inspired by two individuals.

He said ” I was inspired by Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya , it took me a while before I came to Gombe, but when I did, I saw real infrastructure.

“I’m a lover of infrastructure because it’s my business. I ran to his office and said, ‘Your Excellency, what is going on here?’ He laughed, and I told him I would follow him.

“I don’t follow people who make noise, I follow people who take action. And he said, ‘You are welcome.’ That was how we began, and today, the dream has come true.”

“The second person who inspired me was President Bola Tinubu. When I saw him declare the road project from Lagos to Calabar and Sokoto, I said, ‘The messiah has come,’ and I decided I would follow him. That’s how it happened.”

“Today, we have defected along with some notable PDP stakeholders from Gombe South, including Tha’anda Rubainu, former Deputy Governor of Gombe State. We have moved to the APC, and we’ve moved for good,” he said.

In his remarks, Governor Inuwa Yahaya welcomed the defectors, describing their move as a significant boost to the APC’s political strength in the state.

He noted that the increasing number of high-profile defections reflects growing public confidence in his administration.

“This is a landmark moment. The strength of the opposition in Gombe is rapidly fading,” he declared.

Gombe PDP chieftain Joins APC, lauds Tinubu, Yahaya’s infrastructure revolution

I’m ready to defend myself anywhere, says Gov. Yahaya

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has praised his administration’s achievements within the past years, saying that with the feat achieved, he is ready to defend himself anywhere.

Speaking on Thursday in Gombe while receiving Jerry Joseph Damara and former Deputy Governor Tha’anda Rubainu, who both defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yahaya said that his administration had performed well.

He said that his administration’s effort at revamping the state could not be done overnight because of the “total decay of a very long time.”

According to him, his achievements in all sectors across the state were undeniable as there is visible progress on the ground that could be seen and confirmed.

In spite of recent criticisms by opposition parties in the state, accusing Yahaya’s administration of failing the state, the governor said: “I am proud to say that this government has done very well and I am ready to defend myself anywhere.”

He stated that he didn’t say he would do everything but pledged to put the right foundation for a better Gombe which he said with determination and proper planning had been done and more still being done.

“We can now beat our chest today and say we have done well.

“ A total decay of a very long time cannot be seen to be done maybe overnight, for a real capital project to see light of the day you need three, four or five years, at least planning and also to accept on a design and plan to achieve it by execution.

“ So, we are in for a long ride, but once you are prepared with God’s guidance you can reach the destination.

“What we did is across the state, I just talk about the south because you know it and nobody will deny that.

In response to claims by some opposition parties that he did nothing in Gombe South, Yahaya said: “You go to see the hospital in Kaltungo and say nothing have been done in it all this while.

“All the wards, the 40 wards you can’t go and say we have not worked on the primary health care in all the wards, we have done on the class rooms, yes we might not have done all, but we never say or claim that we will do everything, but if we are determined and are planning and are proactive and reactive we will get to the point where everything will be moving forward.

On Damara’s and other PDP chieftains defections to APC, Yahaya welcomed the development, describing it move as a significant boost to the APC’s political strength in the state.

He noted that the increasing number of high-profile defections reflects growing public confidence in his administration.

“This is a landmark moment. The strength of the opposition in Gombe is rapidly fading,” he declared.

I’m ready to defend myself anywhere, says Gov. Yahaya