Zulum builds, hands over a 42-room patients’ apartment to UMTH

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has commissioned and handed over a newly constructed 42-room patients’ apartment to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) as part of his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the state.

The facility, which has a 42-room lodge, was constructed by Borno State Government and is designed to provide comfortable accommodation for patients’ relatives and visitors, many of whom travel long distances to access medical care.

The handover of the patients’ apartment is the latest in Zulum’s interventions at UMTH. The governor had previously presented a N100 million check to support the hospital’s funding gaps for medical consumables and other needs. He also constructed 24 three-bedroom apartments for medical staff to reduce housing shortages and keep doctors closer to patients.

In addition, Zulum has ordered the release of N1 billion in financial support to facilitate kidney transplant and maternal health services at the hospital. He also provided a N500 million intervention following the 2024 flood disaster.

Beyond UMTH, Zulum has extended similar support to other federal government agencies in Borno State. He distributed thousands of patrol vehicles to security agencies and formations to boost security across the state.

Zulum constructed housing quarters and provided several facilities and infrastructure at the University of Maiduguri.

He also approved hundreds of millions in takeoff grants for the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare; the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno; and the Federal College of Education, Gwoza.

The chief medical director of UMTH, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, expressed gratitude to the governor and commended him for his relentless support.

The governor was accompanied by the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; commissioners; special advisers; and several senior government officials.

Zulum builds, hands over a 42-room patients’ apartment to UMTH

Operation Hadin Kai neutralises 152 terrorists, arrests 142 in August

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded major operational successes across the North-East theatre, neutralising 152 terrorists and arresting 142 others, including suspected logistics suppliers, during operations conducted between Aug. 1 and 31, 2026.

The latest operational figures indicate sustained pressure by the joint security forces against terrorist groups, their logistics networks and mobility capabilities across the theatre.

According to the monthly operational summary, 219 terrorists also surrendered to the troops during the period, a development the military said reflects the continued degradation of terrorist networks and growing willingness among some fighters to abandon the insurgency.

The troops also conducted 10 successful air interdictions in support of ground operations, targeting terrorist movements and logistics activities in different locations within the theatre.

The air operations complemented sustained ground offensives aimed at disrupting terrorist formations, supply routes and freedom of movement.

During the period under review, troops also neutralised nine improvised explosive devices (IEDs), thereby denying terrorist elements the opportunity to use the devices against military personnel and civilians.

The troops recovered 58 weapons and explosive items, as well as 1,184 rounds of ammunition during various operations.

The recoveries are expected to further degrade the firepower and operational capacity of terrorist elements operating in the North-East.

The troops also recovered 16 mobility assets, including motorcycles, bicycles, tricycles and other vehicles reportedly linked to terrorist activities.

Other items recovered during the operations included 44 mobile phones, a video camcorder and N1,794,910 in cash, among other materials.

The military’s monthly operational assessment indicated that the recoveries of communication devices, mobility assets and cash were significant in disrupting the logistics and communication networks supporting terrorist operations.

The surrender of 219 terrorists also represents another important aspect of the campaign, as the development could provide security agencies with additional intelligence on terrorist structures, hideouts, supply networks and operational activities.

The August operations combined kinetic actions, including ground offensives and air interdictions, with non-kinetic measures aimed at encouraging surrender and separating terrorist elements from their support and logistics networks.

The sustained operational tempo, according to the figures, has placed considerable pressure on terrorist personnel, weapons stocks, mobility and logistics capabilities across the theatre.

The development comes as Operation HADIN KAI continues its counter-insurgency campaign to degrade Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements and restore security across affected communities in the North-East.

The August figures underscore the continued coordination between ground troops and air assets in disrupting terrorist activities while enhancing the ability of security forces to deny insurgents freedom of action across the theatre.

Operation Hadin Kai neutralises 152 terrorists, arrests 142 in August

HURIWA commends DSS DG Ajayi for professionalism, intelligence-led reforms

By: Zagazola Makama

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for what it described as an encouraging shift toward professional, accountable and human rights-compliant intelligence operations.

The National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated this in a statement issued in Abuja, saying the association welcomed reported reforms within the intelligence agency.

HURIWA particularly welcomed the reported review of old DSS watchlists, including restrictions dating back several decades.

The association said outdated intelligence records should not continue to unjustifiably affect the liberty, dignity and freedom of movement of citizens.

It cited the resolution of the longstanding watchlist issue involving the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, as an example of the importance of periodically reviewing security classifications.

The group also commended the reported compensation of persons affected by wrongful detention, mistaken identity or operational errors.

According to HURIWA, acknowledging mistakes, providing redress and learning from operational failures could strengthen public confidence in security institutions.

The association also welcomed reported reviews that had led to the release of persons whose continued detention was no longer justified by available investigations.

“Intelligence gathering must never become a substitute for due process,” HURIWA said.

While recognising the critical role of the DSS in combating terrorism, kidnapping, violent extremism, espionage and other security threats, the organisation stressed that security enforcement must remain anchored on legality, necessity, proportionality and respect for fundamental rights.

HURIWA urged the DSS leadership to institutionalise reforms that would strengthen mechanisms for monitoring human rights compliance, investigating complaints and recommending corrective measures.

It recommended human rights impact assessments, periodic reviews of detention cases, redress and compensation mechanisms, as well as stronger engagement with civil society organisations.

The association further called for continuous human rights training for DSS operatives, accessible citizen complaint channels, responsible engagement with the media and preventive, rights-based intelligence gathering.

It said such measures could improve intelligence sharing and crime prevention while reducing unnecessary arrests and confrontations between security personnel and citizens.

“We therefore commend Mr. Ajayi for the reform direction and urge him to consolidate the gains by making accountability, proportionality, due process, professional conduct and access to remedy permanent features of DSS operations,” HURIWA said.

HURIWA commends DSS DG Ajayi for professionalism, intelligence-led reforms