Buhari and Conspiracy Theories: Mahmud Jega is Right

I study Northern Nigeria for a living. I am a Lugardian Northerner. I grew up in and schooled in Northern Nigeria. I know that conspiracy theories have a high resonance in the region. I know that implausible and sometimes ridiculous alternative explanations and alternative facts circulate in the region to devastating effect.

Conspiracy theories led to non-Muslim fellow Nigerians being killed in Kano shortly after the beginning of the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. The ignorant interpretation of cosmic and climatic events as recompense for sin by some Muslim clerics led to Christians being attacked in Maiduguri when there was a solar eclipse--years before Boko Haram emerged.

NIGERIAN ARMY: 7 DIVISION PARTNERS YOLA DISTRIBUTION COMPANY FOR METERING OF BARRACKS

7 Division Nigerian Army has opened dialogue with Yola Electricity Distribution Company for effective metering of barracks within its Area of Responsibility (AOR) in line with Army Headquarters directive.

The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu brainstormed on modalities for the metering with the Yola Electricity Distribution Company’s Area Head (North 1), Zinab Hassan and Marketing Manager, Adamu Auta as well as Abubakar Ahmed Officer in Charge of Military Accounts at the Headquarters 7 Division, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri. 

Nigerian Air Force High Powered Committee on Investigation of Rann misfire visits Gov. Shettima

Nigerian Air Force High Powered Committee on Investigation of Rann bombing visits Gov. Kashim Shettima to condole him and the people state over the unfortunate tragedy.

The committee led by Air Commander Salihu Bala Ribah was received by the Governor on Saturday evening at the Government House, Maiduguri.

FG DELEGATION ON CONDOLENCE VISIT TO BORNO OVER ACCIDENTAL BOMBING AT RANN BY NAF FIGHTER JET

A high-level federal government delegation has arrived in Maiduguri in connection with Tuesday's deadly accidental bombing of an IDP camp in Rann by a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet.

FG delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Aba Kyari visited Maiduguri to commiserate with the Governor of Borno State over the unfortunate accidental killing of some innocent civilians at Rann in Kala Balge, Borno State.

The delegation include, Minister of Defence, Brig Gen Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd); Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar.

With effect from Jan. 20: Borno bans prostitution, sale of alcohol; exempts military and paramilitary formations

As part of its efforts to curtail criminality and social vices, the Borno government has announced the ban on the sale of alcohol and prostitution in the state. The Commissioner of Justice, Alhaji Kakashehu Lawan, made the announcement while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Maiduguri.

He said that mobile courts would be set up to try violators of the new law. “The sale of alcohol is hereby banned throughout the state with effect from Jan. 20.

“All brothels and other spots where prostitution, immoral activities, sale and consumption of illicit drugs take place are hereby banned with immediate effect,” he said.

FG Rallies Support For Victorious Troops As Key Roads Open in Borno

The Federal Government has congratulated the gallant troops of the Nigerian military for finally seizing the Sambisa Forest from the Boko Haram terrorists and securing the North-east, paving the way for Sunday's re-opening of two strategic roads in Borno State.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, appealed to Nigerians to continue to support the troops as they clear the remnants of the terrorists who are now on the run.

He also called for increased vigilance among Nigerians, as Boko Haram escapees seek to integrate themselves into communities far and near, saying eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.

''We urge Nigerians to keep our gallant and victorious troops in their prayers, and to also imbibe the mantra of 'if you see something, say something' as a way of ensuring that no escaped terrorist is able to wreak havoc in their communities. It is also important to know that now that they have been dispossessed of their fortress, the Boko Haram escapees will intensify their cowardly attacks on vulnerable targets if only to maintain an illusion of terror. But there should be no panic because the worst is over,'' Alhaji Mohammed said.

While commending the military for the re-opening of the Maiduguri-Gubio-Damasak road and the Maiduguri Mungono-Baga road, which link Nigeria with neighbouring countries, he hailed Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima for his unwavering support for the military and his administration's determination to quickly restore normalcy across the state.

Operation Lafia Dole: PUPIlS HONORS TROOP FOR THEIR SACRIFICE

Troops of Operation Lafia Dole were on Monday 19 December 2016 presented with gift packs of essential daily need at the Headquarters of 7 Division of the Nigerian Army Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri by Volt Club students and Children International School (CIS) Lekki,Lagos.

The gift pack tagged “Ziploc” contains varieties of items which includes tooth brush, toothpastes, sanitary pads, shaving sticks,chewing gum, towels, bathing soaps, candies, recharge cards, handy greeting cards with hand written motivating messages by pupils of the school to soldiers fighting in order to keep the country safe and secured.

How Troops rescue 5,000 Boko Haram captives, Kill 10 terrorists

Abuja – Several months after the federal government declared it has defeated Boko Haram, Nigerian military at the weekend rescued over 5, 000 hostages held captive by the terrorists’ group while ten terrorists were killed in several clearance operation in the North East.

One Civilian JTF member was killed, a soldier, policeman and another Civilian JTF member wounded during the encounters while arms, ammunition and logistics equipment in large quantities were recovered from the terrorists.

Confirming the rescue of the hostages and clearance operations in a statement, Col Sani Usman, Acting Director of Army Public Relations said, “Troops of 21 Brigade and Civilian JTF weekend conducted a fighting patrol to Zangebe, Maiwa, Algaiti and Mainari villages in which they killed 6 Boko Haram terrorists and wounded several others.

Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet Foils Plan To Ambush Surface Forces, Kills 15 Boko Haram Terrorists

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has successfully foiled plans by the Boko Haram terrorists to ambush the ground troops and also killed over 15 of the terrorists in the ongoing operations in parts of the North-east.

The Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, in a statement yesterday, said the air component of ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ has uncovered a plot by the terrorists to ambush the surface forces harboured at Doron Naira, north of Borno State.”

NIGERIAN TROOPS ARREST BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS AMEER AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER IN YOBE STATE

On Thursday 16th June 2016, Nigerian troops of Sector 5, 27 Task Force Brigade, 3 Division, in conjunction Civilian JTF from Maiduguri arrested a suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Ibrahim Jagwal, aged 38 at Gishiwa Dabua area of Potiskum, Yobe State.

In a statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman; the suspected terrorist who turned out to be the Ameer of the Boko Haram Terrorists at Tumbin Gini, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, also led the team to Garejin Audu in Potiskum, where another terror suspect, Audu Ahmadu, (alias Condemned) aged 45 years, was arrested same day.

"Preliminary investigation confirms that Audu Ahmadu is a Boko Haram Engineer who specializes in repairs of automobiles for the Boko Haram terrorists group. It was further confirmed he was at the garage to repair 2 vehicles. The vehicles were recovered by the team, while the suspects have been taken into custody for onward movement to Joint Interrogation Centre."

Rescued Boko Haram Victims: 61 Infants Hospitalized And 478 Malnourished Kids For Special Care

Sixty one critically malnourished infants have been hospitalized on the orders of Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima after he relocated 478 children and 219 adults, all of them malnurished due to two years captivity in the hands of Boko Haram insurgents before they were rescued by the Nigerian Military. 

The victims were moved from Bama to a special care unit in Maiduguri on Monday. Dozens of buses brought conveyed them to a newly opened special care unit in Maiduguri.

The 61 infants now hospitalized at Umaru Shehu Specialist Hospital, owned by the State Government in Maiduguri, are undergoing medical care arising from extreme deprivation of food. They were ‎part of the 478 children moved from Bama alongside 219 adults also malnurished. The adults consist of 196 women, some of whom gave birth to part of the 478 children. The rest of the adults are 23 men, looking thin.

Aso Rock lists President Buhari’s achievements in first year in office

On Friday, the Presidency released a long list of achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government.
This is coming a few days to the first year in office of the Buhari Administration.
Buhari came into power on May 29, 2015.
This was after defeating the then incumbent, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in the first of its kind unseating of a sitting president in Nigeria.

SECURITY:

•The relocation of the Nigerian Military Command Centre to Maiduguri, since May 2015, contributed to the success in the fight against insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country.

Nigeria’s Most Important Assets Are its People says Minister of State for Health Pate

Former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Pate, a public policy expert and a strategic member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) agenda committee, has a passion about improving lives and Nigeria’s public health system. He spoke with Paul Obi about his vision for a better Nigeria, education and how government intervention can be effective. Excerpts:

Since you left office a couple of years ago, there is a foundation which has been linked to you…can you take us through it and your other engagements so far?

RESCUED CHIBOK GIRL AMINA ALI HANDED OVER TO GOVERNOR SHETIMA IN MAIDUGURI

The rescued Chibok school girl, Amina Ali, was airlifted by Nigeria Air Force Super Puma aircraft from Damboa to Maiduguri alongside her baby and supposed husband, Mohammed Hayatu.

Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman confirmed that prior to that they were examined at Air Force medical facility and were found to be stable and normal blood pressure was observed.

Thereafter, she was released to the Operation LAFIYA DOLE headquarters for further investigation and handing over.

War Against Insurgents: NigerianTroops Arrest Wanted Boko Haram Terrorist Leader, Other Reports

In continuation of Operation CRACKDOWN deep inside Sambisa forest, troops have arrested one of the declared wanted Boko Haram terrorists leaders, and also conducted patrols and clearance operations within the theatre of operations.

According to the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman: "At about 1.35pm yesterday troops of 143 Battalion arrested one Sulaiman Umaru, a suspected Boko Haram terrorists group member whose photograph is on the poster containing the photographs of the 100 Boko Haram terrorists declared wanted. He has since been moved to 28 Task Force Brigade Headquarters for further investigation."

"Troops of 21 Brigade have continued with the clearance operations at Yerimari, while troops of 22 Task Force Brigade Garrison have also embarked on patrols along Dikwa–Mafa-Maiduguri road. The patrol was aimed at picketing the road to keep it safe and open."

N61 MILLION FRAUD: BORNO STATE OFFICIALS GRANTED BAIL

Justice M.T Salihu of the Federal High Court sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday, 13 May, 2016, granted bail to five former employees of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, who are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over a N61 million fraud.

The five accused who were arraigned on April 7, 2016, are: Bukar Musti, Mahmud Deji Sambo, Muhammad Sale Kasim, Alkali Ibrahim Gonimi and Haruna Katangana.

Breaking: ANOTHER SUICIDE BOMBER INTERCEPTED IN MAIDUGURI

According to the reports by the  Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, confirmed that this afternoon, combined team of Nigeria policemen maintaining security duties at the entrance of Borno State Government Secretariat, (which was known as Musa Usman Secretariat) in Maiduguri, intercepted and prevented a male suicide bomber from entering to attack workers based on suspicion.

Unfortunately, in the process of stopping him, he detonated the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on his body, instantly killing himself, a policeman and critically injuring another policeman that stopped him from gaining entry into the Secretariat Complex.

NEDC Bill: Senate Organises 2-Day Public Hearing with Stakeholders

The joint Public Hearing of the Senate Committee on Special Duties and the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service on a Bill for an Act to Establish the North East Development Commission (SB. 163) concluded its hearing yesterday 10th May, 2016 after sitting for 2 days with stakeholders in attendance from not just theNorth East Zone but from other parts of Nigeria.

The joint Committee, which was Chaired by Senator Abdul-Aziz Murtala Nyako (Adamawa Central) and Co-chaired by Senator Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central) organized the 2-day Public Hearing to entertain suggestions and contributions from stakeholders who represent those that will directly benefit from the Commission when created.

Giwa Military barracks 'a place of death' says Amnesty

Amnesty International says at least 149 detainees have died "in horrendous conditions" at a military detention centre in north-east Nigeria this year.

In a report, Amnesty says 11 of those who died at the Giwa barracks were young children, including four babies.

It called the centre "a place of death" and said it should be closed.

The BBC's Abdullahi Kaura Abubakar in Abuja says it is latest in a series of damning reports on the Nigerian military's treatment of suspects.

The army has not commented on the latest report but has previously said it has set up a human rights department to check claims of abuse.

Distribution of Relief Materials to IDPs in Borno State

Distribution of Relief Materials to IDPs in Borno State by Presidential Committee on Logistics on Wednesday May 4, 2016 at Bakassi IDP camp, Maiduguri.