Two arrested over alleged child trafficking in Cross River

By; Zagazola Makama

Two suspected child traffickers have been arrested by the Police in Oboho Ito community, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River, following a foiled attempt to allegedly sell a one-month-old baby.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on March 2 after youths of the community intercepted them based on a tip-off.

According to the source, the mother of the baby, Favour Effiong, reported that on March 1, one Happiness Etim Udoh, allegedly persuaded her to bring her one-month-old child under the pretext of taking her to receive financial assistance for the upkeep of the baby.

“On suspicion, the mother informed her landlord, and community youths laid ambush for the suspect,” the source said.

Udoh was subsequently arrested alongside an alleged accomplice, Ekpo Inyang, said to have no fixed address.

Police say preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly planned to snatch and sell the baby to a woman in Abuja.

The source further disclosed that during interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to previously selling a child for N200,000 to a buyer in Abuja.

It was also alleged that arrangements had been made to hand over the one-month-old baby to a relative of one of the suspects in Abuja, who was reportedly pretending to be pregnant.

The baby was safely recovered and handed back to the mother.

Police said investigation into the matter had commenced, while efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected trafficking network.

They reiterated commitment to tackling child trafficking and protecting vulnerable children across the state.

Two arrested over alleged child trafficking in Cross River

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI repel ISWAP attack in Damasak, three residents shot

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)/Hunters Group, successfully repelled an attack by suspected ISWAP terrorists in Damasak town, Nganzai Local Government Area.

According to sources, the assailants invaded the town around 10:30 p.m., opening sporadic gunfire that sent residents fleeing in panic.

“Three civilians, Goni Dauda, 25, of Zanna Umarti Ward; Modu Ya’asham, 32, of Gajiram Town; and Asinamai David, 25, of Bula Kara, Gubio Town, were fatally hit by stray bullets, while Kellu Bukar, 40, an IDP camp resident, sustained a chest wound and is currently receiving treatment at General Hospital Damasak.

The troops stormed the scene and engaged the terrorists in a heavy gun battle forcing them to flee with bullets wounds.

The troops later visited the scene and evacuated the victims.

The corpses of Goni Dauda and Modu Ya’asham were released to their families for burial according to Islamic rites, while Asinamai David was buried according to Christian rites.

Security forces confirmed that normalcy has returned to the town, and monitoring continues to prevent further incidents.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI repel ISWAP attack in Damasak, three residents shot

Zulum Appoints Tijjani Kukawa, Abubakar Mazhinyi as Special Advisers; Maina Gajiram as Commissioner Assembly Commission

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the appointment of Hon. Tijjani Lawan Kukawa and Hon. Abubakar Umar Mazhinyi as Special Advisers.

Hon. Tijjani Lawan Kukawa is a former member of the Borno State House of Assembly who represented Kukawa Constituency during the Third Republic. He also served as Special Adviser on Education to the Governor from 2020 to 2023.

In addition, he has held several public service roles, including member of the Governing Council of Ramat Polytechnic and member of the Borno State Pilgrims Welfare Board.

A seasoned civil servant, Hon. Kukawa rose through the ranks from Agricultural Extension Officer to Acting Permanent Secretary.

He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maiduguri and is a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administrators of Nigeria.

Also appointed as Special Adviser is Hon. Abubakar Umar Mazhinyi, the immediate past Executive Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

Hon. Mazhinyi holds a Master’s degree in Disaster Management from the University of Maiduguri and is currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Studies at the same institution.

He is a grassroots politician and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration, and a recipient of several awards.

Similarly, Governor Babagana Zulum has appointed Hon. Maina Bukar Gajiram as Permanent Commissioner of the Borno State House of Assembly Service Commission, with effect from 17 February 2026, following his confirmation by the Borno State House of Assembly during its sitting on the same day.

The appointment is in accordance with the powers conferred on the Governor by Section 198 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 5 of the Borno State House of Assembly Service Commission Law, 2005
(as amended).

Governor Zulum congratulated the appointees and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by serving with dedication, integrity, and commitment to the development of Borno State.

Zulum Appoints Tijjani Kukawa, Abubakar Mazhinyi as Special Advisers; Maina Gajiram as Commissioner Assembly Commission