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Troops’ presence renews hope for safety on Zamfara highways, but locals seek night patrols

Published

6 months ago

June 2, 2025

Troops’ presence renews hope for safety on Zamfara highways, but locals seek night patrols

By: Zagazola Makama

Commuters and commercial drivers plying the Gusau–Tsafe highway in Zamfara State say the enhanced military presence in the area has brought renewed hope for safe travel after years of fear and deadly bandit attacks.

Zagazola Makama report that the highway, once a corridor of terror where bandits routinely blocked roads, abducted travellers, and ransacked surrounding villages, is now seeing relative calm within the last few months due to intensified operations by Nigerian Army troops, particularly along the Tsafe- Gusau road.

Commercial driver, Usman Bala, who plies the Gusau–Funtua route daily, said that the change is noticeable.

“We used to drive with our hearts in our mouths. Anytime we passed Dan Mali or Babban Kauye, we prayed hard. But now, soldiers are stationed at key flashpoints. You feel a sense of safety you haven’t felt in years,” he said.

Another commercial driver, Musa Lawali, echoed Bala’s sentiment, noting that bandits used to operate with impunity around Makera and Asaula.

“Before, we avoided evening trips. From 4:30 p.m., the road was a death trap. But now, I can move even close to 7 p.m. because I know troops are patrolling. Their presence alone scares the criminals,” Lawali said.

Private motorist Amina Idris, who travels from Gusau to Tsafe weekly for business, said her confidence has improved with every trip.

“I used to dread the journey, especially at Bamamu and Tashan Jirgi axis. I would call my family before I left and when I arrived. Now, I see military checkpoints and even patrols. It’s encouraging,” she said.

Similarly, Dauda Garba, a truck driver who frequently passes through Tsafe, described a recent encounter where troops responded swiftly to an attempted roadblock by suspected bandits.

“They came in within minutes. We saw the gun trucks approach, and the criminals ran. That kind of quick response saves lives,” Garba said.

Another commuter, Suleiman Ibrahim, who drives a private vehicle between Tsafe and Yankara, confirmed that the fear of daytime travel has reduced significantly.

“Before now, even private motorists had to follow convoys or wait for military escort. Now, we go freely. The presence of troops has changed the game,” he said.

But despite the improvements, traditional leaders and community stakeholders are calling for additional measures particularly night patrols to tackle nocturnal attacks.

The Yandoton Tsafe, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammadu Bawa, commended the military for recent gains but warned that many villages on the fringes of Tsafe are still vulnerable to night raids.

“We have seen progress in the last few weeks. Our roads are safer by day. But the bandits now operate at night. They move through forest corridors and attack villages like Makera, Bamamu, Tashan Jirgi, Dan Mali, Asaula, and Babban Kauye under cover of darkness,” he said.

Another sources from Tsafe identified some of the notorious elements behind these attacks, including a bandit leader known as Bakin Malam, and others such as Hassan Fari, Sarki, son of notorious bandit Ado Allero, and Umaru, son of kingpin Anaruwa.

“These are not petty criminals. They are experienced and armed. We appeal to the Nigerian Army to extend their operations to night patrols. That is when these terrorists strike the most,” he added.

He urged the deployment of additional combat platforms like CSK gun trucks and surveillance drones to cover forest routes and hard-to-reach enclaves where bandits regroup after daytime setbacks.

Despite the lingering threats, residents are beginning to reclaim their confidence, a development largely attributed to the recent push by the Nigerian Army to dominate key transportation routes and neutralise armed groups.

Though, Abdulkarim Abubakar, said the threat still persist along Kauran Namoda Road as notorious bandit kingpin Dan Sadiya is still posing significant threat to motorists and the community with attacks recorded almost every two days.

Meanwhile a frontline commander, told journalists that the military had repelled multiple attacks, recovered weapons including bomb components, and foiled bandits’ attempt to launch coordinated raids in Mada and Kizara areas.

“As the rains approach, we are working to secure farming communities so they can plant in peace,” he said.

For now, travellers like Usman Bala are simply grateful for the return of movement and peace on roads once feared for death and disappearance.

“Every peaceful journey we make is a blessing. We just want the soldiers to keep going and start moving at night too,” he added.

Troops’ presence renews hope for safety on Zamfara highways, but locals seek night patrols

News

VP Shettima: Hajiya Sutura Shagari Will Be Remembered For Her Selflessness, Compassion

Published

6 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima: Hajiya Sutura Shagari Will Be Remembered For Her Selflessness, Compassion

Leads FG delegation on condolence visit to the late former president’s family in Sokoto

By: Michael Mike

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has described the passing of Hajiya Sutura Shehu Shagari, the last surviving wife of former President Shehu Shagari as a huge loss to Nigeria, saying she will be remembered for her life of compassionate and selfless service to her community and the nation at large.

Senator Shettima spoke on Sunday when he led the Federal Government delegation to condole with the Shagari family over the demise of the matriarch of the Shagari family in their residence in Sokoto State.

Announcing the death of the last surviving wife of the former President, a statement signed by the eldest son of the former President and Sarkin Mafaran Shagari, Capt. Bala Shagari, had noted that the late Hajiya Sutura died at about 3pm on Monday, November 10, 2025, after a prolonged illness at the age of 79.

Commiserating with the Shagari family in Sokoto, the Vice President who said he was in the state at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prayed for the repose of Hajiya Sutura’s soul, as well as comfort for the family and the Sultanate.

“We are here at the instance of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to condole with the government and people of Sokoto State, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and the immediate family of our late President, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, over the sad event of the passing of his last surviving wife, Hajia Sutura Aliyu Usman Shagari,” he stated.

Vice President Shettima also prayed Almighty Allah to reward the departed with Aljannah Firdaus, as well as the fortitude for the immediate family, Sokoto State and the entire nation to bear the loss.

“May Allah grant her soul eternal rest and reward her with Aljana Firdaus. May Allah also grant the family and the good people of Sokoto and the nation as a whole, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he prayed.

Earlier, the Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, thanked the Vice President for the show of love and concern about not only the Shagari family but the entire Sokoto State.

“The visit is a gesture which speaks volumes for having you in our midst today. Distinguished audience, you may recall that the Vice President has been here almost, I can say, four times since the inception of our administration. This is a show of love and the concern.

“We thank you most sincerely; we thank you for your coming. We pray Allah to give you sound health, and to give you courage to continue the good work you are doing for this great country,” the Governor told VP Shettima.

Also, leader of the Shagari family and District Head of Shagari, Capt. Bala Shagari (rtd), thanked the Vice President for leading the Federal Government’s delegation to condole with the family.

He said it was a great honour having the Federal Government’s delegation sent by President Tinubu to condole with the Shagari family in their moment of grief, even as he also thanked the state Governor for taking care of the Shagari family.

Also in attendance were the Minister of State for Works, Senator Bello Mohammed Goronyo; former Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bello Mohammed Adoke, and former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Mukhtari Shagari, among other senior government officials.

VP Shettima: Hajiya Sutura Shagari Will Be Remembered For Her Selflessness, Compassion

News

Duke of Edinburgh Visits Nigeria to Host Series of Events, Meets Tinubu

Published

17 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Duke of Edinburgh Visits Nigeria to Host Series of Events, Meets Tinubu

By: Michael Mike

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh is expected in the country to host a series of events in Lagos, Nigeria from 17 – 23 November 2025 to champion the expansion of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award across the world.

He is also expected to meet President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, and get involved in some other activities at the nation’s capital.

According to a statement on Sunday, Prince Edward, as Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, will convene almost 200 young people from more than 50 countries over the week, alongside hundreds of leaders delivering the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award globally, policymakers, and representatives from global youth movements.

Young people will take part in an intensive three-day youth leadership programme, before taking part in the International Award’s triennial Forum focused on expanding access to the Award globally.

Last year almost 1.2 million young people in more than 130 countries took part in the Award. While young people in the UK make up around half of all participants, Kenya has the second-highest number of young people involved in the Award. In Nigeria – where this week’s events are taking place – participation has surged by 37% in the past year, reflecting increasing interest across West Africa.

On the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award turning 70 next year, new analysis about the global impact of the Award shows that the social value generated by young people completing the Award in the last year has exceeded £1 billion for the first time. The social value is calculated through a robust methodology developed by PWC quantifying the impact of volunteering, improved mental and physical health, and social cohesion.

The Award has gained increasing momentum in recent years, as the likes of the World Bank, World Economic Forum and International Labor Organisation have placed strong emphasis on skills developed beyond the classroom, such as teamwork, communication skills, resilience and problem-solving.

Over the course of the week the Duke of Edinburgh will meet the President of Nigeria in Abuja, convene senior ministers and international development agencies in Lagos to foster deeper collaboration on non-formal education and take part in major events hosted by the Governor of Lagos and the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos.

Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award worldwide, Mr. Martin Houghton-Brown, commented that: “More and more young people across the world are taking on the challenge of the Award, and embracing learning outside the classroom. Through smartphones and AI, young people can access the world’s knowledge in seconds fingertips, but the Award is providing a fresh challenge and helping young people develop the skills that give them the ‘human edge’. From team work to creativity, determination to flexibility, the Award is helping young people across the world become World Ready. Our gathering here in Lagos is focused on significantly increasing opportunities for young people in every country to take on the Award’s challenge and opportunity.”

British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter said: “The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award exemplifies the potential of Nigeria’s young people, and that is important because Nigeria’s success matters deeply to the UK. As partners, we share a commitment to empower the next generation, create jobs, and unlock economic potential. We applaud Nigeria’s bold reforms and are optimistic that these plans will remove constraints on Nigeria’s entrepreneurial spirit and help move Nigeria forward. The UK stands ready to work together to drive growth, stability, and prosperity for the benefit of both our countries.”

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a global framework for non-formal education, empowering young people to develop skills, resilience, and a spirit of service. It is delivered through schools, youth organisations, and community groups worldwide.

Founded in 1956 by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, the Award has grown from a UK-based initiative into the world’s most widely recognised youth achievement framework delivered in more than 130 countries and territories, with 1.2 million participants annually. The Award equips young people aged 14 to 24 with essential skills for life and work, including confidence, empathy, teamwork, resilience and leadership, through experiential learning beyond the classroom.

As the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award approaches its 70th anniversary, more than 1,500 young people begin their Award journey every day, engaging in activities from environmental restoration and volunteering to skills development and adventurous journeys.

Duke of Edinburgh Visits Nigeria to Host Series of Events, Meets Tinubu

News

Border Governance: NIS, IOM Strengthen Collaboration

Published

17 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Border Governance: NIS, IOM Strengthen Collaboration

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as part of its efforts at enhancing border management, has reinforced its collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

The collaboration aims to strengthen institutional cooperation for effective migration management and border governance in Nigeria.

At a meeting, held in Lagos, themed “Strengthening Strategic Collaboration for Effective Migration Management and Border Governance.” NIS Zonal Coordinator, ACG Echefulam Anugwa, hailed the partnership as a model for government–international organisation collaboration, commending IOM for its continued support.

Goodwill messages from donor agencies, including the British High Commission, German Consulate, and Dutch Consulate highlighted the importance of leveraging the partnership for improved border governance.

In her keynote address, NIS Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap noted that the engagement offered a strategic opportunity to review NIS–IOM cooperation and chart a roadmap for deeper collaboration towards modernized, technology-driven border management.

She acknowledged IOM’s contribution to institutional reforms, operational capacity enhancement, and policy development, including the National Border Management Strategy.

IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission, Dimanche Sharon, on his part, commended NIS for its visionary leadership, citing its regional reference status in digital border governance through systems such as MIDAS, e-Border solutions, and enhanced identity management.

He emphasized that the engagement would help identify operational gaps, capacity needs, and areas for impactful interventions in the next phase of NIS–IOM partnership.

The two-day engagement includes high-level presentations and technical sessions, aimed at producing actionable recommendations and a joint roadmap to guide future NIS–IOM collaborations.

The initiative is expected to bolster Nigeria’s leadership in migration management and border governance in West and Central Africa.

During the engagement the two organisations, NIS and IOM issued a communique identifying their key priority areas.

The actionable deliveries on the key priority areas include: Policy & Legislation; Institutional & Capacity Development; Infrastructure Development & Equipment; Migration Management; Border Governance and Legal Identity Solution

Border Governance: NIS, IOM Strengthen Collaboration