Headlines

Borno Gov’s Office Turn Boxing Ring

Published

9 years ago

June 20, 2016

Our Reporter

By Yahaya WAKILI, Maiduguri

APC Chairman/Legislator In Fisticuff
Govt Officials At War Over Ramadan Largesse
Dep Gov, Commissioners, Others under Probe Over Rice Theft

The economic hardship seems to be biting harder on top Borno state Government officials as key members of the Governor Kashim Shettima’s kitchen cabinet have resorted to open altercations and fisticuff, right inside the Governor’s office over the sharing of Ramadan largesse, given by the Governor. Eye witness accounts have it that leader of the House of Assembly, Honorable Zakariya Mohammed and state APC Chairman, Ali Dallori, alias Ali Tablet, last week openly took on each other right in front of Governor Kashim Shettima, when the legislator confronted the party chairman to release money given to him for politicians, and stop playing around as if nothing was given. nationalTRAIL gathered that, the Governor released over N300 million through the party Chairman for disbursement to Government officials, party leaders and stakeholders in the state, in lieu of the usual rice and sugar given to them every year, but that the money was not quick in reaching the beneficiaries, leading to allegations that the Chairman had cornered the money for his personal use. According to our source, members of the Assembly had expected their share to be released to the house leader, but when he enquired from the Chairman where their own share was, the party Chairman took offence, and shouted him down, thereby provoking the leader, who went for his collar, and knocked him down, before he was pulled back by other officials present. Apparently embarrassed by the encounter, Governor Shettima was said to have stormed out of the office, after asking the warring parties to take the fight elsewhere, and not in his presence, even as our correspondent learnt that there may be moves to suspend the legislator from the party for unruly behavior. Our correspondent further reports that at a meeting of the party’s state working Committee on Saturday, severe sanctions against the legislator by the party were agreed, to serve as deterrent to others who are said to form the habit of challenging party officials over issues of welfare. This is even as top Government officials, including the Governor, Kashim Shettima, his Deputy, Usman Durkwa and some commissioners have been fingered as having hands in the theft of rice and diversion of other relief materials donated to IDPs across the state, an issue that is currently being investigated by the security agencies.
Initial investigations reveal that, Government officials have been in the habit of negotiating with dealers in Maiduguri, Gombe and Kano to buy off relief materials entrusted to them for distribution to IDPs, with those meant for the Southern part channeled through the Deputy Governor, Usman Durkwa, but never delivered to their destinations. Our correspondent reports that it is an open secret that, materials clearly coming from Government stores meant for IDPs are being sold the open market, which may have attracted the attention of security agencies, leading to the probes, even as some traders from Gombe and Kano were said to have been taking delivery of relief materials from highly placed Government officials. People from the southern part are accusing the Deputy Governor, Usman Durkwa, who hails from there as being responsible for the disappearance of their own relief materials. nationalTRAIL learnt that, Governor Shettima was particularly irked by remarks credited to the Deputy Governor, whom he learnt had told people earlier that all his actions were based on instructions from his Governor, even as all others being questioned claimed to have received instructions from above on the sale of the items.. Governor Shettima although has claimed ignorance of the diversions, even in the face of the seeming indictments and widespread cries by the public, remains at the centre of the storm, as youths have been openly challenging him, resulting into a physical confrontation with some of them recently. Our correspondent reports that, while relief materials worth billions of naira are being donated for the upkeep of IDP, hundreds of them are dying of hunger, as the item are being diverted by people who have been put in charge of them. Only recently, EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu had alerted on the theft of relief materials by Borno state Government officials, with a threat to get those responsible arrested, and last week some street urchins engaged the Governor and his commissioner for Justice, Kaka Shehu in a street fight, when they were accused of being part of the conspiracy to shortchange IDPs. Part of the Governors problems with the people of the state which has drastically affected his rating has been the issue of the alleged diversion of relief materials donated to IDPs by Dangote group and other donors, even as the state Deputy Governor, Usman Durkwa finds it difficult to travel home following allegations that he has soiled his fingers in the deals. Investigations reveal that, against the background that relief material worth over N2 billion may have been diverted, top Government officials have been running from pillar to pole as the Police and the Directorate of State Security services, DSS, last week waded into the matter, with a view to identifying those who have been shortchanging IDPs. Governor Kashim Shettima had told a meeting with security operatives last week that, he initially thought the allegations of theft of the rice and other materials were mere media conjectures, but events have proven that they are true. Shettima was personally at some of the IDP camps where he saw the degree of deprivations and hunger plaguing the IDPs, with some of them even dying in his presence from hunger, reports indicated.

Headlines

BREAKING: Senate to Engage US Lawmakers Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

October 6, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Nigerian Senate is set to engage with US lawmakers following renewed debate on alleged targeted attacks against Christians in the country.

The controversy intensified after American TV host Bill Maher, on his HBO program, described the situation as a “silent genocide,” accusing Western media of downplaying mass killings by Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, and Fulani militias. He cited claims that over 100,000 Christians have been killed since 2009 and thousands of churches destroyed.

Maher’s remarks were echoed by Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who argued that the crisis had not received the international media attention it deserves.

Government Rejects Genocide Narrative
In response, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the claims as misleading and divisive. He emphasized that terrorist groups do not target Christians alone, insisting that Nigerians of all faiths—including Muslims and non-religious citizens—have suffered at the hands of violent extremists.

“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a religious war is a gross misrepresentation of reality,” Idris said.

Headlines

Nigeria @ 65: The Worst Is Over, We’ve Turned a New Corner — Tinubu

Published

1 week ago

October 1, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his Independence Day broadcast marking Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, assured citizens that the country has overcome its toughest challenges and is on the path to recovery.

Honouring the Founding Fathers

Tinubu paid tribute to the sacrifices of Nigeria’s independence leaders, including Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
“They believed it was Nigeria’s manifest destiny to lead the black race as the largest black nation on earth,” he said.

Journey So Far

Reflecting on six decades of nationhood, the President noted that Nigeria had endured a civil war, military dictatorships, and political crises but survived with “courage and grit.”
“At Independence, Nigeria had only 120 secondary schools and two tertiary institutions. Today, we have over 23,000 secondary schools, 274 universities, 183 polytechnics, and 236 colleges of education,” he said, adding that the country had made “remarkable progress” in healthcare, telecommunications, aviation, and infrastructure.

Tough Reforms, Signs of Recovery

Tinubu said he inherited a fragile economy distorted by decades of poor policies but chose reform over inaction.
“Our administration ended the corrupt fuel subsidy regime and abolished multiple foreign exchange rates that enriched a few while impoverishing the majority,” he stated.
According to him, the measures are yielding results:

GDP grew by 4.23% in Q2 2025, the fastest in four years.
Inflation fell to 20.12% in August, the lowest in three years.
₦20 trillion was realised from non-oil revenue by August.
Debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from 97% to below 50%.
Foreign reserves climbed to $42.03 billion, the highest since 2019.
Oil output rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day, while Nigeria refined petrol domestically for the first time in four decades.
The stock market surged from 55,000 points in May 2023 to 142,000 points by September 2025.

“The worst is over. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to today’s relief,” the President declared.

Tackling Insecurity

Tinubu said security agencies were making gains against insurgency, separatism, and banditry.
“Hundreds of communities have been liberated, with thousands of displaced persons returning home. We salute the gallantry of our armed forces,” he said.

Investing in Youth

Describing young people as Nigeria’s “greatest asset,” Tinubu highlighted ongoing programmes:

NELFUND Student Loans: ₦99.5bn disbursed to 510,000 students.
Credicorp Loans: ₦30bn given to 153,000 Nigerians for solar, housing, transport, and digital devices.
YouthCred: Credit support extended to NYSC members.
iDICE Programme: Partnership with AfDB, AFD, and IsDB to boost innovation in digital and creative sectors.

Call for Collective Effort

Acknowledging that reforms have caused temporary hardship, Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain steadfast.
“Our progress must not be measured by statistics alone, but by food on our tables, quality of education, electricity in our homes, and safety in our communities,” he said.

He called on citizens to embrace productivity, pay taxes, support local industries, and contribute to nation-building.
“The dawn of a new Nigeria is here — self-reliant, prosperous, and united. With God on our side, we will overcome. Let all hands be on deck,” he concluded.

Would you like me to compress this further into a shorter news report (around 6–7 tight paragraphs) for quick-read media, or keep it as a detailed feature-style recap like this one?

Headlines

Bandit Kingpin Releases 28 Captives in Katsina Following Peace Deal

Published

3 weeks ago

September 17, 2025

Our Reporter

A total of 28 persons abducted by suspected bandits in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State have been released without ransom following a peace arrangement with bandit kingpin.

The bandits, led by their commander identified as Isya Akwashi Garwa, handed over the captives to officials of the council on Wednesday.

Zagazola reports that those released were largely residents of Mairua, Kanen-haki and Yar Dabaru communities.

Local authorities confirmed that the release was the outcome of a reconciliation effort initiated in the area to restore peace and reduce violent attacks.

Community leaders in Faskari described the development as a positive signal and urged both sides to sustain the peace process. They also urged the bandit to force other bandits still attacking in the area to stop.

A council official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The captives were released this afternoon without any ransom being paid. The bandit leader fulfilled his promise under the peace talks,”he said.

Meanwhile, residents expressed relief at the safe return of the abductees, with some calling for stronger security guarantees to consolidate the gesture.