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Zulum Bags Champion Newspaper Visionary Leader Award 2023
Zulum Bags Champion Newspaper Visionary Leader Award 2023
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, was honoured on Saturday with the Visionary Leader/Pillar of Democracy Award for the year 2023 by Champion Newspaper for his outstanding contributions to the development and progress of his state.
The award ceremony, held at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos, is an annual high-stake platform designed to celebrate outstanding Nigerians, institutions and companies for their excellent and profound contributions to Nigeria’s social and economic development.
Presenting the award, the chairman of the occasion, who is also the Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described it as a worthy recognition.
He said, “ Borno has been faced with so many issues that are compounding for any governor, but I am happy to observe that Governor Umara Zulum is doing very well. So this award is well-deserved.”
Zulum, who was represented by Borno Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, said, “On behalf of my governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, I appreciate the management of Champion Newspaper for recognising our effort in the development of Borno State.”
The governor added, “this award is a challenge to do more for the people of Borno State.”
Other prominent Nigerians and corporate organisations, including the governors of Akwa Ibom, Umo Bassey Eno, Enugu, Dr Peter Mbah, and that of Anambra, Prof. Charles Soludo.
Also awarded were the GCEO NNPCL, Mele Kyari, Rear Admiral Kasimu Musa, Dr Abije Dabiri, Fidelity Bank Plc, and First Bank Plc, among others.
Kadafur was accompanied by the member representing Konduga at the State Assembly, Bukar Modu, SSA on Media to Governor Zulum, Baba Shielh Haruna and that of New Media, Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi, and other senior government officials.
Zulum Bags Champion Newspaper Visionary Leader Award 2023
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
By: Zagazola Makama
Fourteen victims abducted in December 2025, including six family members of Inspector Hussaini Abubakar of Maru Police Division, have been released by their captors.
Zagazola reliably gathered that the release occurred at about 1:00 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2026. Unfortunately, two of the victims, identified as Bashir Marafa, aged 45, and Halliru Kabiru, aged 50, were killed while in captivity.
Sources added that a pregnant woman among the abductees delivered a baby girl while in captivity. The victims are currently receiving medical attention at the General Hospital, Maru.
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
By: Zagazola Makama
Two persons abducted earlier this month in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been rescued, while a separate bandit attack in Talata Mafara LGA left one person dead and others missing.
Sources confirmed that Bashir Adamu Iyatawa, 42, and Kenneth Allahmagani, 35, both from Zaria City, Kaduna State, were abducted at Unguwar Chida Village in Tsafe on Feb. 16, 2026.
They were rescued on Feb. 26, debriefed, and later taken to a hospital for medical attention before being handed over to their relatives.
In a separate incident, armed bandits loyal to a local bandit leader, Na Sanda, attacked the outskirts of Jangebe town in Talata Mafara LGA on Feb. 27 at about 2:00 a.m.
The attack resulted in the death of Misbawu Aminu, 30, and the abduction of an unspecified number of persons to an undisclosed location.
Joint troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and local vigilante groups are reported to be pursuing the fleeing bandits. Authorities have assured that efforts to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the culprits are ongoing.
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
By: Zagazola Makama
One member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) was killed following an ambush by suspected ISWAP terrorists along the Warave–Gwoza Road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources said the incident occurred on February 25 at about 7:30 a.m. when gunmen attacked members of the CJTF and hunters on routine patrol. Fifty-year-old Bello Adamu, a member of the CJTF, was fatally injured in the attack.
Army troops of Operation HADIN KAI, Police Tactical Units, and CJTF personnel visited the scene, documented the incident, and evacuated the victim to Gwoza General Hospital, where he was certified dead on arrival. His body was released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites.
Monitoring of the area continues to prevent further attacks.
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
Fourteen Abducted Victims Released in Maru, Zamfara State; Two Killed in Captivity
Two Abducted Victims Rescued in Tsafe, Zamfara; One Killed in Bandit Attack at Talata Mafara
Boko Haram Attack on CJTF Leaves One Dead in Gwoza, Borno state
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