News
VP Shettima, Lawan, Zulum, Buni attend funeral of Borno’s former SSG in Maiduguri
VP Shettima, Lawan, Zulum, Buni attend funeral of Borno’s former SSG in Maiduguri
… Our loss is huge, say Shettima, Zulum
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettina, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, led dignitaries to the funeral of Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa, immediate past Secretary to Borno State Government.
The funeral held on Sunday afternoon in Maiduguri.
Shuwa died on Saturday at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital after a brief illness.
The funeral prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Borno, Imam Laisu Ibrahim Ahmed, after which Shuwa was laid to rest at Gwange cemetery.
The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Ibn Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi, led traditional rulers to the funeral.
Former Governors of Borno and Kebbi states, Maina Ma’aji Lawan and Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda and Senator-elect, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, were also in attendance.
There were numerous other top government officials, serving and former at the funeral.
Speaking to newsmen, Vice President Kashim Shettima, expressed shock at the death of the former SSG, describing him as one of the last icons.
“We lost a colossus, he was the last of the titans and an icon with a huge institutional memory of how the system works. We are surely going to miss his wise counsel and intellect. No one is indispensable in life but he was almost irreplaceable”, Shettima said.
On his part, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum described Shuwa’s death as a big loss for Borno, his family and Nigeria at large.
“The death of Usman Jidda Shuwa is a great loss to all of us in Borno. For the past couple of years, he has served the state diligently and his wealth of experience will be missed by all of us”, Zulum said.
Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa died at the age of 65 leaving behind two wives, children and many relatives.
Shuwa served as SSG from 2015 to 2019 under then Governor Kashim Shettima and from 2019 to 2023 under Governor Zulum.
VP Shettima, Lawan, Zulum, Buni attend funeral of Borno’s former SSG in Maiduguri
Military
COAS commissions 6 Division RSM House, reaffirms frontline leadership role of regimental sergeant majors
COAS commissions 6 Division RSM House, reaffirms frontline leadership role of regimental sergeant majors
By Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the critical role of Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) in strengthening discipline, leadership and operational effectiveness across the Nigerian Army.
The COAS made the remarks on Friday during the commissioning of the newly constructed 6 Division Regimental Sergeant Major’s House in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking the 163rd Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL 2026).
Speaking at the event, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu described RSMs as the backbone of regimental administration and custodians of discipline, standards and morale within the Army.
He said the provision of dedicated accommodation for RSMs was not merely a welfare initiative but a strategic investment aimed at enhancing leadership at the unit level and improving operational efficiency.
According to the Army Chief, RSMs play a vital role in translating command directives into action, maintaining troop cohesion and ensuring effective implementation of operational orders across various theatres of operation.
He added that the senior non-commissioned officers also serve as the crucial link between officers and soldiers, fostering professionalism, mutual trust and esprit de corps within formations and units.
Shaibu noted that the influence of RSMs in mentoring soldiers, enforcing discipline and sustaining troop morale remains indispensable to the success of military operations.
He stressed that providing conducive accommodation for key regimental leaders would enhance their ability to discharge their responsibilities effectively and contribute to improved operational readiness.
The COAS reiterated that under his “Soldier First” philosophy, the welfare of personnel, particularly those occupying critical leadership positions, remains a top priority.
He maintained that sustained investment in welfare infrastructure and leadership development would continue to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s capacity to remain a resilient, professional and combat-ready force capable of addressing the country’s evolving security challenges.
COAS commissions 6 Division RSM House, reaffirms frontline leadership role of regimental sergeant majors
Troops intercept cattle grazing in restricted area in Plateau, herders flee
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have intercepted a herd of cattle found grazing in a restricted area in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops of Sector 4 OPEP responded to a report of illegal grazing at about 3:30 p.m. on Friday in Nyerwie village.
The sources said that upon arrival at the location, the troops found a herd of cattle grazing in the restricted area.
The herders reportedly fled into nearby bushes on sighting the troops, abandoning the livestock.
The intercepted cattle were subsequently moved to a secure location for necessary administrative action, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the fleeing herders, the sources said.
Troops intercept cattle grazing in restricted area in Plateau, herders flee
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Vandals, Recover Stolen Construction Materials in Jos
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested two suspected vandals in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State for allegedly stealing construction materials from an ongoing road construction site.
Security sources said the suspects, identified as Arin Itse, 21, and Agwom Christopher, 19, were arrested at about 9:30 a.m. on Friday during a routine patrol by troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, along the Kwanga road in Jos North.
The sources said the suspects were intercepted while in possession of iron rods suspected to have been stolen from a road construction company handling an ongoing project in the area.
According to the sources, the suspects were taken into custody for further investigation, while the recovered iron rods were handed over to the construction company.
The sources added that investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and whether other persons were involved.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Vandals, Recover Stolen Construction Materials in Jos
COAS commissions 6 Division RSM House, reaffirms frontline leadership role of regimental sergeant majors
Troops intercept cattle grazing in restricted area in Plateau, herders flee
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Vandals, Recover Stolen Construction Materials in Jos
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