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Zulum Pledges Reforms for 2025 Hajj Operations

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Zulum Pledges Reforms for 2025 Hajj Operations

By: Our Reporter
 
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the Holy Land for better performance. 
 
The Governor made the pledge during the presentation of the 2024 Hajj report by the Amirul Hajj team, led by the Chairman of the Committee and Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, at the Government House on Monday.

Zulum described the 2024 Hajj as one of the most successful in recent years. “I want to assure you that during my tenure, “we have not seen such a degree of success in recent years. I was impressed by the way and manner our pilgrims were airlifted from Maiduguri to Madina and Jidda to Maiduguri,” Zulum stated.
 
He expressed particular satisfaction with the smooth airlift operations, the quality of services provided, the dedication of the Amirul Hajj team, and the conduct of the pilgrims.”
 
“I will continue to sanitise the system for greater productivity,” Zulum stated.
 
The governor also assured the public that he would review the report thoroughly and work towards implementing the recommendations. “Within the next few hours, I will go through the report clause by clause to ensure we implement the valuable suggestions made,” he promised.
 
Commending the committee for introducing innovative solutions, Governor Zulum highlighted the use of online media to inform pilgrims about their flight schedules and the publication of pilgrim names to ensure smooth operations. “The previous practice of calling names throughout the night, which was inefficient, has been eliminated,” he noted.
 
The Governor declared that, moving forward, the Borno State government will no longer cover the cost of excess luggage for defaulting pilgrims. “We have done it this year, but we will not do it next year. If anyone reports to the airport with excess luggage, they will bear the cost themselves,” Zulum stated. 
 
He directed the Executive Secretary of the Pilgrims Board to inform all intending pilgrims for 2025 of this new policy.
 
Additionally, Governor Zulum called for the deployment of technology and the engagement of local government Hajj fare collectors to identify and eliminate individuals posing as pilgrims in the Holy Land.
 
Chairman 2024 Amirul Hajj team, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, announced that 1,803 pilgrims performed the 2024 Hajj, five pilgrims hospitalised in the Holy Land with no death recorded.
 
According to him, Governor Zulum has rendered enormous support to the pilgrims in areas of securing befitting accommodation in Mecca, covering the differential for Basic Travel Allowances (BTA) to the tune of 260 million naira, and payment of sacrificial animals amounting to 290 million naira.
 
Others include payment of 65 million Naira to the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) as medical support and 25 million for excess luggage. 
 
“His Excellency has extended hands of fellowship to the entire 1,815 pilgrims, the Amirul Hajj team, and the National Hajj Commission by extension. Some of the support rendered by Governor Zulum to the pilgrims while in the Holy Land includes the release of 380 million naira to secure a befitting accommodation in Mecca, covering BTA differentials, and payment of Hadya for all the pilgrims, among other things,” Lawan said.
 
Senator Kaka Shehu identified excess luggage as one of the challenges faced during the 2024 Hajj operations and emphasised that the success of this year’s pilgrimage was largely due to the unwavering support provided by Governor Babagana Zulum.

Zulum Pledges Reforms for 2025 Hajj Operations

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Bauchi Polytechnic students protest after 20 armed robbers raid campus hostel

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Bauchi Polytechnic students protest after 20 armed robbers raid campus hostel

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed robbers on Monday at about 4am invaded male students’ hostels at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, dispossessing occupants of mobile phones and valuables, and stabbing two students in the process.

The attack, which took place in the early hours of Monday, occurred within the Gwalameji campus of the institution, located about four kilometres from the city centre.

Eyewitnesses told Zagazola Makama that the robbers, numbering between 15 and 20, broke into several hostel rooms and threatened students with weapons, including knives.

“They moved from room to room, collecting phones, laptops and money. Two students who resisted were stabbed before the attackers fled,” said a student who requested anonymity for security reasons.

Zagazola gathered that the incident sparked outrage among students, who later blocked the Bauchi–Dass highway near the school gate to protest what they described as recurring security lapses on campus.

The protest was dispersed by security operatives using teargas, while the institution’s management promptly suspended academic activities and ordered students to vacate the campus within two hours.

Troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade, police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel were deployed to restore order.

Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, who visited the campus, addressed the students and assured them that efforts were underway to apprehend the perpetrators and strengthen campus security.

A security source told Zagazola that the targeted attack on male hostels point to the gaps in intelligence and emergency response, particularly given the proximity of the school to the state capital.

“The robbers operated for some time without interruption, which suggests that security patrols and outposts in the area need to be more proactive, especially since Gwalameji has a history of criminal incidents,” the source said.

The students, citing lack of security personnel, poor medical facilities and other welfare issues, staged a protest after being addressed by school officials.

Following a tip-off later in the day, police arrested three suspects, Mansur Yakubu, also known as Chasu; Abbas Auwal, 20; and Musa Bala, 20, alias Babannani all of Lushi area, Bauchi.

The suspects confessed to the crime and named their accomplices, identified as Kalifa Danboda of Birshin Gandu, and others known as Dady, Soja, Baki, and Sunusi, alias “Ba Su Aikin Allah,” who are currently at large.

Authorities says efforts are intensified to apprehend the remaining suspects.

Bauchi Polytechnic students protest after 20 armed robbers raid campus hostel

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Massive Bandit Attack in Kwara Police station, Leaves Police ASP Dead, Market Looted

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Massive Bandit Attack in Kwara Police station, Leaves Police ASP Dead, Market Looted

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits numbering about 200 stormed Babanla town in Kwara state on motorbikes at around 1:00 p.m. on Friday, killing a police officer and looting a local market.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the assailants, who fired sporadically, attacked the Babanla Police Station, where ASP Adejumo Wasiu attached to the ACPOL Offa was shot dead. His AK-47 rifle was taken by the attackers.

Sources said that the station was ransacked, though no additional arms were lost, as all other weapons were on charge at the time.

After the assault on the police facility, the gunmen moved to the town’s market, seizing large quantities of foodstuffs.

A joint force comprising military, police, vigilantes, and local hunters mobilized swiftly, repelling the attack and restoring order.

The number of civilian casualties remains unknown as at the time of filling this report

Massive Bandit Attack in Kwara Police station, Leaves Police ASP Dead, Market Looted

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Eight Suspects Escape from Police Custody in Gona in Bauchi One Rearrested

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Eight Suspects Escape from Police Custody in Gona in Bauchi One Rearrested

By: Zagazola Makama

Police in Gona in Bauchi state are on a manhunt after eight suspects in custody for various offences escaped from their cell in the early hours of August 8, 2025.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:20 a.m. on Saturday when the detainees broke out of their cell and forcefully opened the nearby exit door before fleeing to an unknown destination.

It was gathered that a rapid response patrol and divisional surveillance teams were deployed immediately. One of the escapees, identified as Abdullahi Haliru, has since been rearrested.

The sources said that authorities have circulated alerts to aid in the capture of the remaining fugitives

Eight Suspects Escape from Police Custody in Gona in Bauchi One Rearrested

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