News
Zulum flags off distribution of food items to 100,000 families in Maiduguri and environs
Zulum flags off distribution of food items to 100,000 families in Maiduguri and environs
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has flagged off the distribution of food items to over 100,000 households in the state capital Maiduguri and its environment, Jere Local Government Area.
The distribution, according to a statement on Wednesday, was aimed at mitigating the hardship triggered by the rising costs of food items and other essential commodities.
Zulum performed the symbolic presentation of the palliative on Wednesday at the Maiduguri Sports Centre, the venue of the distribution exercise.
Each of the 100,000 households received one bag of 25kg rice and another bag of 25kg maize.
Speaking to journalists after flagging off the distribution, Zulum emphasised the need for continued support to the people with a view to tackling the hardship in the land.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of the people, especially those facing extreme hardship as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.
He said: “We are here today to flag off the distribution of food items to 100,000 heads of households from Maiduguri Metropolitan and its environs. Everyone in Nigeria is aware of the hardship people face regarding food shortages.
“All the preceding food distribution exercises we had conducted were carried out in other local government areas. Today, because of the hardship faced by our people, we decided to come and flag off the exercise here for the people of Metropolitan and its environs. These communities have not benefited immensely compared to other places.”
He noted that the exercise targets the most vulnerable members of the society in order to reduce the burden of the high cost of living in the metropolis, adding that the current economic hardship is not only in Borno State, but it is a global crisis.
He promised that the distribution of the palliative would be scaled up from 100,000 households to over 200,000 families in order to cover other places, including seven local government areas in southern Borno.
He said: “We have flagged off the distribution of the palliative for 100,000 today; my intention is not to stop at 100,000 households; we believe before the end of Ramadan, we shall reach up to 200,000 across the state.
“Wherever there is insurgency, they may experience a food crisis because of the limited access to agricultural land. For this reason, in Borno State, we have started the distribution of palliative since 2011.”
He added, “As long as I am the governor of Borno State, the distribution of palliative will continue. However, I want to stress that while the palliative distribution continues, we will continue investing in commercial and subsistence agriculture.”
The governor urged the people, particularly those who do not have a means of livelihood, to engage in agriculture, while assuring them of all the needed supports, including free buses, agricultural inputs and cash support.
He disclosed that: “The FG has also rolled out an agricultural scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and in Borno State; we have programmes to boost irrigation and commercial farming.
“We have started distributing food palliative care since 2011 and are doing our best. I call on our people to be patient because the government handles the crisis. What we are doing is enormous, but as a responsive and responsible government, we shall continue to do our best to cushion the effects of the hardship.”
The governor, however, warned that his administration would not condone anyone sabotaging its efforts in peacebuilding.
“Some people are trying to instigate the public to cause disturbances. Let me warn the people of Borno: anybody who decides to take laws into his/her hands and politicise the food crisis we are currently facing will be dealt with ruthlessly,” he warned.
Zulum flags off distribution of food items to 100,000 families in Maiduguri and environs
Security operatives arrest suspected fuel suppliers to bandits in Gombe
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Gombe State have arrested two suspected fuel suppliers believed to be providing logistics support to bandits operating in neighbouring communities in Bauchi State.
Security sources said the suspects were arrested on March 4 at about 4:30 a.m. during a stop-and-search operation along the Kashere–Futuk Road in Akko Local Government Area of the state.
The sources said the operation followed intelligence reports indicating that bandits terrorising parts of Bauchi State were sourcing fuel supplies from Kashere in Gombe State.
During the operation, operatives intercepted a red tinted Golf 3 vehicle with registration number GME 221 XA, loaded with 29 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The vehicle was driven by one Aliyu Usman, 20, of Futuk Village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, who reportedly fled the scene and escaped.
Two passengers in the vehicle, identified as Bello Abdullahi, 52, and Sulaiman Musa, 40, both from Futuk Village in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State, were arrested at the scene.
The suspects claimed that the fuel was purchased in Billiri, Gombe State.
The police impounded the vehicle along with the 29 jerrycans of fuel as exhibits while investigations are ongoing to determine their involvement in supplying fuel to criminal elements.
Efforts are also underway to apprehend the fleeing driver and uncover other members of the suspected supply network.
Security operatives arrest suspected fuel suppliers to bandits in Gombe
Troops of 3 Division liberate Mansur Village, Alkaleri LGA in Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Division Nigerian Army have successfully liberated Mansur Village and surrounding settlements in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State as part of the ongoing Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III.
The operation, led by Major General Folusho Oyinlola, General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation ENDURING PEACE, targeted armed terrorists and criminal elements terrorising the local communities.
According to military sources, troops executed a coordinated offensive on identified flashpoints, dislodging terrorists who had attempted to seize control of Mansur Village. An AK-47 rifle was recovered during clearance operations, degrading the operational capacity of the insurgents.
Following the offensive, troops consolidated their positions and conducted patrols across Alkaleri LGA to maintain security and restore normalcy. Residents have reportedly begun resuming socio-economic activities in the area.
Military intelligence indicates that cross-border terrorist gangs operate within Plateau, Bauchi, and Taraba States, exploiting local terrains and engaging in fluid movement patterns to evade security forces.
The insurgents are reported to include high-value targets such as Mallam Lehi, Mai-Kunkuru, and Mallam Azuge, who operate in the Wase/Kanam forests and Jejin Madam axis.
The General Officer Commanding urged troops to maintain vigilance, stressing the importance of denying terrorists freedom of action while ensuring civilian protection.
Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III is part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing efforts to dominate insurgent corridors and restore peace and security in North East and North Central Nigeria.
Troops of 3 Division liberate Mansur Village, Alkaleri LGA in Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III
Military EOD neutralizes improvised explosive device in Talata Mafara, Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
An improvised explosive device (IED) planted between Yar Danya and Maikwanugga villages in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State has been safely neutralized by military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts.
Zagazola report that the operation, conducted on March 3 at about 2:00 p.m., followed the discovery of the device along a key village route. Security sources said the EOD team successfully detonated the IED, preventing potential harm to residents and commuters in the area.
Patrol and monitoring activities by the troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and other security forces had since been intensified in the vicinity to ensure the safety of the local population and prevent further threats.
Military EOD neutralizes improvised explosive device in Talata Mafara, Zamfara
Security operatives arrest suspected fuel suppliers to bandits in Gombe
Troops of 3 Division liberate Mansur Village, Alkaleri LGA in Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III
Military EOD neutralizes improvised explosive device in Talata Mafara, Zamfara
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News11 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
