News
Yuletide: Zulum Provides Free Transport To Over 600 Non Indigenes In Borno

Yuletide: Zulum Provides Free Transport To Over 600 Non Indigenes In Borno
By MacAnthony Uche
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has provided free transportation to enable non indigenes residing in the state to travel home and celebrate the Christmas and the new year with their loved ones.
The free transport scheme lunched by the Governor would enable the non Indigenes travel to as far as over 25 locations across the country from the Borno Express transport terminal and Station Kano park in the Maiduguri metropolis , beginning from 21st to 23rd of December this month.
Speaking to our correspondent at the Borno Express terminal on Thursday in Maiduguri, the Coordinator of the Ohanaeze Support Group which is in conjuction with Omaluegwuoku Progressive Initiative and Internal Diasporans in Borno, Chief Ugochukwu Egwudike, said the gesture was borne out of the governor’s magnanimity to ameliorate the sufferings faced by the residents, and to give them a sense of belonging in the running of the state’s affairs.
Chief Egwudike further said the entire non indigenes in the state are happy to benefit from the free transport scheme considering the high cost of living caused by fuel subsidy removal which has taken toll on the citizens.
” The people are happy with the privilege given to them by the Governor. He has been touching the lives of the people irrespective of tribe or religion , and out of about 630 persons that are going to benefit from the free transport scheme, 275 are travelling today marking the first day ,while the remaining beneficiaries will move between Friday and Saturday. All of them are given feeding allowance considering the distance they are to travel.
” So , it is a 3-day programme and on the fourth day , quite a good number of widows will receive financial assistance to enable them celebrate the Christmas and the new year here in the state,” Egwudike said.
Speaking for the yoruba Constituency in the state who are among the beneficiaries, Chief Saka Ganiyu Abiodun, expressed gratitude to Zulum for the gesture, saying that the Governor is known by his attitude of not wanting to see people suffer.
He said the selection of the beneficiaries was done on the vulnerability of each of them especially, those who wished to go home, but could not afford the cost of taking themselves home.
In a similar vein, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees ( BOT ) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Borno State, Pharm Napoleon Egbonu who said he was sent by the Igbo community to supervise what is happening and appreciate the Governor, said the gesture is directly touching the downtrodden.
” It is a tro and fro programme. It has been going on for the past five years and the people are really happy with the Governor ,” Egbonu said.
For the leader of Eggon community in Borno and a native of Nasarawa State, who said he has lived in the state for over 40 years working for the Nigeria Railway Corporation, the Governor’s gesture is timely considering the economic hardship bedeviling the people presently.
End
News
1,000 Northern Youths to Receive Training in ICT

1,000 Northern Youths to Receive Training in ICT
By: Michael Mike
A thousand youth from across northern states of the country are to be trained on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as part of efforts at empowering youth from the region.
The training is part of efforts of United States (US) based organisation, Zumunta Association USA Inc. which planned to host its 2025 Annual Convention between July 14-25 in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The association which was formed in New York, US in 1991 has since its inception given scholarships to over 5,000 science students in Northern Nigeria in the value of above N100 million.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the President of the Association, Mr. Sunday Bitrus, said apart from the ICT Training, a medical outreach would be organised between June 14-23 at the Gudi General Hospital, Akwanga, Nasarawa State to provide top medical care for members of the public.
Bitrus, while disclosing that the association is non-partisan and non-religious organisation dedicated to representing the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Nigeria, while also promoting a positive image of the country globally through the impactful actions of its members, said Zumunta Association remains committed to serving the needs of members, partnering with host communities and promoting unbiased, inclusive discourse on national development.
He noted that: “Our flagship Scholarship Programme has transformed the lives of
over 5,000 science students in Northern Nigeria, with over N100 million disbursed since inception. We receive more than
810,000 applications annually, a testament to the scale of need—and a call to action for donors and partners.
“We’ve spearheaded numerous palliative projects through partnerships with over 30 NGOs. Our work includes: School renovations; Health interventions; Community development initiatives across all 19 northern states and the FCT.
“In 2024, we joined hands with the government to enroll vulnerable populations into Essential Health Care Package
programmes, combating illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, and reducing under-5 mortality rates.”
He noted that during the Convention apart from the ICT Training and Medical Outreach, other activities lined up include Zumunta Golf Classic Tournament; Tennis Tournament, Business Meeting on Strategic Sectors such as Agriculture, Mining and Minerals, Health, and Housing; Gala, Awards and Fundraiser; Engagement with Traditional Rukers and Stakeholders.
Earlier, the Chairman/CEO, (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the efforts of the organisation towards development of the country.
Dabiri-Erewa, who was represented by the Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi said the scholarships to 5,000 students was highly commendable and that NIDCOM would want to collaborate with the association in more areas.
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News
Gunmen ambush patrol team in Imo, one officer killed, Police ASP missing

Gunmen ambush patrol team in Imo, one officer killed, Police ASP missing
By: Zagazola Makama
A police patrol team was ambushed on Sunday morning by suspected members of the proscribed Eastern Security Network (ESN) along the Okigwe–Umuahia Expressway in Imo State, resulting in the death of one officer and the disappearance of another.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the attack occurred at about 8:20 a.m. near Umuaka in Okigwe while the team was on routine patrol duties.
According to security sources, the patrol team was ambushed by heavily armed assailants who opened fire without provocation.
Police Constable Oluebube Onwubuariri, one of the patrol officers, sustained gunshot wounds to the ribs and was rushed to the General Hospital, Okigwe, where he was confirmed dead.
The team leader, Assistant Superintendent of Police Casmir Eronobi, has been declared missing. He was last seen with his AK-47 rifle bearing breech number 12592 and 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
A massive manhunt is underway to locate the missing officer and recover the service weapon.
Security reinforcements comprising tactical teams from Owerri, the military, local vigilantes, and hunters have been deployed to comb the surrounding forests and restore order.
Gunmen ambush patrol team in Imo, one officer killed, Police ASP missing
News
Turji Surrenders Not Out of Repentance, but Survival Instinct — Sources**

Turji Surrenders Not Out of Repentance, but Survival Instinct — Sources**
By: Zagazola Makama
A recently released video showing notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji expressing interest in surrendering and accepting peace has left many Nigerians speculating whether the once-feared warlord has finally developed a conscience.
However, contrary to popular assumptions, Turji’s decision appears less about remorse and more about reality. The video, which went viral over the weekend, is not the result of a moral awakening but rather a product of desperation.
“Turji is not laying down arms because he suddenly loves peace. He is doing so because his operational capabilities have been severely weakened.”
Three days before the video surfaced, Zagazola reported that Turji was actively seeking surrender following the killing of his operational commander, Danbokolo, who was the true engine behind Turji’s terror enterprise.
Danbokolo was reportedly neutralized during a joint operation coordinated by the State Services and the Hybrid Forces, a local security team made up of Civilian JTF.
“Let’s be honest, Turji was more of a spokesman. Danbokolo handled the heavy lifting — the ambushes, raids, and executions,” the source said. “Once Danbokolo was gone, so was Turji’s swagger.”
The once-fire-spitting Turji now finds himself walking a tightrope, stripped of influence and hunted by the very people he once terrorized.
While the circumstances surrounding his potential disarmament are still being delicately managed, insiders confirm that the collapse of his network has been swift and decisive.
It is believed this recent development points to the impact of sustained, intelligence-driven offensives against high-value targets in the region.
Now, the question remains: will the government accept Turji’s amnesty after the atrocities he committed against peaceful communities in the Northwest? That remains uncertain.
Will his surrender end banditry in the Northwest? CERTAINLY NOT.
Turji Surrenders Not Out of Repentance, but Survival Instinct — Sources**
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