News
Welfare allegations against 90 amphibious battalion Commanding Officer proven inaccurate
Welfare allegations against 90 amphibious battalion Commanding Officer proven inaccurate
By: Zagazola Makama
Contrary to recent media reports alleging mismanagement of soldiers’ allowances and welfare at the 90 Amphibious Battalion, Koko, a detailed review confirms that the Commanding Officer (CO), Lt. Colonel M.M. Garba, has maintained proper management of all entitlements and provided additional support to deployed personnel.
Investigations reveal that allegations of diversion of allowances, inadequate feeding, and extended duty rotations were unfounded. The battalion, which comprises 400 soldiers, with 300 deployed to oil facilities and 100 remaining at base, has witnessed an increase in allowances under the current Commanding Officer.
The RCA allowance, previously ₦30,000, was raised to ₦40,000 monthly and applied to all soldiers uniformly. Further clarification indicates that deployed soldiers receive a ₦150,000 monthly feeding allowance directly from the oil companies supporting operations, with funds transferred straight into the soldiers’ accounts,”two sources from the company confirmed.
However, SEPLAT, one of the partner companies, has reportedly not made payments since January 2025, contrary to claims that soldiers receive only ₦40,000, a sources from the company further confirmed.
In addition to standard entitlements, The Commanding Officer personally contributes approximately ₦7 million monthly for feeding across deployed locations and the base. This voluntary support aims to sustain morale and operational readiness, marking a significant improvement in welfare since his assumption of command in January 2025.
A preliminary assessment suggests the recent allegations may have been motivated by misinformation or deliberate attempts to undermine the CO’s credibility, create internal disaffection, or misrepresent welfare standards compared with other regions.
Some soldiers who spoke to Zagazola under conditions of anonymity said “Our Commanding Officer has never misappropriated soldiers’ allowances. Every soldier receives their full entitlements, and sometimes he provided more support voluntarily,”he said.
“Our CO na Good man i swear all this lies we day see for internet, we sef no believe am. Person just wan spoil him name. Oga tell them say make them call to asked soldiers. We dey enjoy for here woo. Nothing like that,”said one soldier who spoke in pigin english.
Soldiers at the battalion attest that the CO’s commitment has tangibly improved morale. “Since his arrival, welfare has never been better. We receive our allowances in full, and the feeding support keeps us going during deployments,” said another soldier, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Lt. Colonel Garba, leadership is measured not only in operational success but in the welfare and morale of his troops. His proactive stance demonstrates that even under challenging circumstances, committed leadership can bridge gaps in resources and ensure that soldiers’ rights are respected.
Welfare allegations against 90 amphibious battalion Commanding Officer proven inaccurate
News
Two die following clash at Tumbi Market in Gamawa LGA in Bauchi
Two die following clash at Tumbi Market in Gamawa LGA in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Two young men have died following a violent altercation at Tumbi Market in Bachel Village, Gamawa Local Government Area, Bauchi State.
The incident occurred on March 13, 2026, at about 11:00 p.m., involving Bello Baba, 25, Auwal Bayaro, 20, Umaru Alh Gimba, 18, Haruna Adamu, 20, Yayaji Wakili, 20, and Ori Dadi, 20, all residents of Bachel Village.
Sources said that a disagreement among the group escalated, and the suspects reportedly attacked each other using sticks, resulting in serious injuries.
The injured were immediately conveyed to General Hospital, Gamawa, where Bello Baba and Auwal Bayaro succumbed to their injuries. Their remains have been released to their families for burial.
Police have intensified efforts to apprehend the other individuals involved.
They said that the case remains under investigation, and further updates will be communicated as developments unfold.
Two die following clash at Tumbi Market in Gamawa LGA in Bauchi
News
UNICEF vaccinates 330 children in Gombe IDP camp
UNICEF vaccinates 330 children in Gombe IDP camp
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Gombe State Government, has vaccinated no fewer than 333 displaced children sheltering in a camp in the state.
The children alongside their parents were displaced from their communities in Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State, following attacks by bandits on their villages.
The victims are currently staying in a camp located in Kashere town of Akko Local Government Area, Gombe State.
The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abdulrahman Shuaibu, while speaking during the visit of UNICEF team to the camp on Friday said health interventions were ongoing to support displaced families.
Shuaibu said that children’s health remained a priority, with several zero-dose children already vaccinated.
He said that about 300 children had received routine immunisation as of Thursday, adding that 33 children previously classified as zero-dose had also been vaccinated.
He further said girls that are nine years old were receiving human papilloma virus vaccines.
“What we have done in the health section is to ensure we conduct reactive vaccination amongst children.
“We have a lot of children that are zero-dose, meaning they are children that have never received any form of vaccines, we have started immunising them.
“We have other children that are less than five that are receiving routine immunisation.
“We have our outreach team that come here at least three times a week to vaccinate children and we have surveillance officers amongst the IDPs that also refer clients from the IDPs to our nearby facilities for treatment,” he said.
According to him, two children had died in the camp while two babies had been delivered since the displaced families arrived.
The state government, he said, was working with UNICEF to provide therapeutic food for malnourished children.
On her part, Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Nuzhat Rafique, said her team visited the camp to support the displaced persons with 600 dignity and WASH kits to improve hygiene and sanitation at the camp.
Dr Rafique said that the intervention aimed to prevent disease outbreaks and improve conditions in the camp.
She expressed concern over poor sanitation and stressed the need to strengthen hygiene practices to safeguard the health of women and children.
“UNICEF is here especially to support immunisation and health services for pregnant and lactating mothers, including deliveries at a nearby facility where services are available.
“Today we distributed hygiene and dignity kits because sanitation is very poor here and hygiene must improve to prevent cholera and other diseases.”
On immunisation, Rafique said vaccination had also begun for many children who had not previously received routine immunisation.
She explained that several zero-dose children at the camp were now being covered under the immunisation programme.
According to her, children who had never attended school were also being supported through plans to establish temporary learning facilities.
“So we will establish a safe learning space so these children can begin learning and continue when they return to their communities,” she said.
Rafique commended the governments of Gombe and Bauchi states for supporting displaced persons.
She also praised the host community for helping to manage the camp and maintain order among residents.
UNICEF vaccinates 330 children in Gombe IDP camp
News
India Strengthens Youth Ties with Nigeria Through Essay Competition Awards
India Strengthens Youth Ties with Nigeria Through Essay Competition Awards
By: Michael Mike
The High Commission of India in Nigeria has honoured Nigerian winners of an essay competition organised under its newly introduced “Youth Junction” initiative, a programme designed to deepen youth engagement and strengthen people-to-people relations between India and Nigeria.
The prize distribution ceremony which took place at the High Commission in Abuja, drew participation from Nigerian and Indian youths who gathered to celebrate academic excellence, creativity and the growing partnership between the two nations.
Speaking at the event, India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, said the Youth Junction initiative was created to provide a dynamic platform for young people in both countries to interact, share ideas and explore collaborative opportunities.
He explained that the programme seeks to inspire creativity, learning and innovation among youth while also promoting cultural understanding and strengthening the longstanding diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
Singh noted that young people remain central to the future of bilateral cooperation, stressing that platforms such as Youth Junction would encourage meaningful exchanges and partnerships in areas of shared interest.
The essay competition, which formed part of the initiative, was launched on February 6, 2026 with the theme “Strength of India–Nigeria Bilateral Relationship.” The contest invited Nigerian students to reflect on the evolving partnership between the two countries and highlight opportunities for deeper cooperation.
A representative of Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended the initiative, describing it as an important platform for strengthening bilateral relations through youth-driven engagement.
The representative noted that by bringing young Nigerians and Indians together, the initiative would encourage collaboration in areas such as technology, entrepreneurship, cultural exchange and digital skills development.
Participants at the event expressed optimism that sustained youth-focused programmes would open new avenues for cooperation and mutual understanding between both countries.
The High Commission congratulated the award recipients and reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the Youth Junction initiative as part of broader efforts to deepen the enduring partnership between India and Nigeria.
India Strengthens Youth Ties with Nigeria Through Essay Competition Awards
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