Troops Recover 61 Cattle During Anti-Kidnapping Raid in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have recovered 61 cattle during a clearance operation in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security sources disclosed that the operation was conducted on Thursday as part of ongoing efforts to track down suspected kidnappers who fled following sustained military pressure in the area.

The sources said troops of Sector 6 Operation Safe Haven carried out coordinated raids on suspected hideouts and high-ground locations around Sopp, Hawan Kibo and Rafin Sanyi communities in Riyom LGA.

According to the sources, the operation involved cordon-and-search activities targeting suspected kidnappers’ camps, dens and livestock enclosures believed to be linked to criminal networks operating in the area.

During the operation, troops recovered 61 cattle suspected to belong to the fleeing criminals.

“All identified camps, hideouts and cattle enclosures within the general area were searched during the operation. A total of 61 cattle suspected to belong to the criminals were recovered,” a security source said.

The source, however, noted that no arrests were made as the suspects had fled before the troops arrived.

The recovered cattle have been taken into military custody pending further investigation and necessary action by relevant authorities.

The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle kidnapping networks and other criminal groups operating in parts of Plateau State.

Troops Recover 61 Cattle During Anti-Kidnapping Raid in Plateau

Troops Rescue Abducted Teenager, Intensify Search for Two Other Children in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops deployed under Operation Enduring Peace have rescued one of three children abducted by suspected kidnappers in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security sources said the incident occurred on Thursday at Mangar village when the children were returning from their farm.

The abducted children were identified as Linda Ibrahim, 15, Meshack Ibrahim, 8, and Samuel John, 8.

According to the sources, troops of Sector 5 Operation Enduring Peace in Bokkos swiftly responded to reports of the abduction and launched a search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding bushes.

The operation led to the successful rescue of Linda Ibrahim, who was subsequently reunited with her family.

“The troops immediately initiated search-and-rescue operations upon receiving information about the incident and successfully rescued one of the victims,” a security source said.

The source added that efforts were ongoing to locate and rescue the two remaining children still in captivity.

Security forces have intensified operations in the area, with troops combing nearby forests and hideouts in search of the abductors and the remaining victims.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist the ongoing rescue efforts.

Troops Rescue Abducted Teenager, Intensify Search for Two Other Children in Plateau

Zulum Targets Closure of Borno’s Largest IDP Camp as Resettlement Drive Enters Final Phase

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has announced plans to shut down the Bama Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, the largest displacement facility in Borno outside Maiduguri, within the next month, marking a major milestone in the state’s efforts to end years of mass displacement caused by insurgency.

The governor made the declaration on Thursday after personally supervising a screening exercise for displaced families at the Government Science Secondary School IDP Camp in Bama, where he spent more than three hours verifying beneficiaries eligible for the state’s resettlement programme.

Zulum said the exercise was aimed at ensuring that only genuine households are captured as the government moves to complete the return of displaced residents to their ancestral communities.

“We are here to examine the remaining displaced people that are living in the IDP camp with a view to ensuring the closure of Bama IDP camp,” the governor stated.

The planned closure represents another significant step in Borno State’s post-insurgency recovery programme, which has seen thousands of displaced persons return to their communities after years of conflict triggered by the activities of the terrorist group Boko Haram.

Over the last seven years, the state government has facilitated the resettlement of residents in several communities across Bama Local Government Area, including Darajamal, Nguro Soye, Goniri, Banki and Abbaram. Bama remains one of the areas most devastated by the insurgency, with large-scale destruction of infrastructure and prolonged displacement of residents.

According to Zulum, only three communities—Mayanti, Goniri and Bula Kuriye—remain to be fully resettled before the camp can be permanently shut down.

“We have three communities that are left to be resettled, namely, communities from Mayanti, Goniri, and Bula Kuriye. By the next one month, the Bama IDP camp, which is the largest camp in the state outside the state capital, will be closed,” he said.

The governor’s visit also featured inspections of major infrastructure projects underway in Bama as part of the administration’s reconstruction and urban renewal agenda.

Among the projects inspected were the construction of a modern shopping complex and the dualisation of the Bama township road. Zulum praised the quality of work being executed, describing the projects as critical to restoring economic activities and modernising the town after years of devastation.

He recalled that the historic Bama Market was destroyed during insurgent attacks about 15 years ago before being rehabilitated under the administration of Nigeria’s current Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

To further strengthen commercial activities, the state government is constructing a modern shopping complex with 156 shops in front of the market while simultaneously remodelling the entire facility.

“We are trying to provide a befitting shopping mall in front of the market, totaling 156 shops, while also remodeling the market as part of our urban renewal programme,” Zulum said.

He noted that the market redevelopment is designed to stimulate economic growth, improve livelihoods and provide a more conducive environment for businesses and traders.

The governor also disclosed plans to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity through the dualisation of major roads within Bama, particularly the strategic township road linking Maiduguri, Bama and Gwoza. Existing roads across the town, he added, would be rehabilitated before the end of his tenure.

The inspection tour extended to High Islamic College and teachers’ quarters in Konduga, underscoring the administration’s continued focus on rebuilding educational infrastructure and improving public services in communities affected by conflict.

Zulum was accompanied by senior government officials, lawmakers and community leaders during the visit. The move to close the Bama camp is expected to signal a new phase in Borno’s recovery efforts as authorities push to transition displaced families from temporary shelters to permanent community-based resettlement

Zulum Targets Closure of Borno’s Largest IDP Camp as Resettlement Drive Enters Final Phase