Boko Haram Attack in Borno Kills Four Soldiers, Civilian

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have killed four soldiers and a civilian in an attack on Mussa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The incident, which occurred around 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, is the latest assault on communities located along the southern fringe of the Sambisa Forest, an area frequently targeted by insurgents.

The Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Alhaji Mada Saidu, confirmed the attack on Thursday, stating that the civilian victim was a mother of three.

“There was an attack in Mussa ward yesterday afternoon. They killed one civilian, a woman, and four soldiers recently deployed to the council area,” Mr Saidu said.

A military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said the slain soldiers were personnel of the 115 Task Force Battalion operating in the area.

“Four of our troops attached to the 115 Task Force Battalion were killed while ensuring that the terrorists did not gain entry into the Mussa community,” the source said.

The source added that the attackers were few in number but carried out a coordinated assault aimed at infiltrating the town.

“The insurgents were not many, but it was a coordinated attack aimed at entering the town. The troops stood their ground, but unfortunately, the four were killed,” the source said.

Residents said the attack triggered panic, with many fleeing their homes as gunfire lasted for about 30 minutes.

“We heard heavy gunshots around noon, and people started running into nearby farmlands,” a resident said. “If not for the military’s defence, they would have entered the town and caused massive destruction.”

Mussa, a farming community, has been repeatedly attacked due to its proximity to insurgent hideouts in the Sambisa axis.

The latest incident underscores ongoing security challenges in parts of Borno State despite sustained military operations against insurgents in the North-east.

2027: APC Stakeholders Push for Power Shift in Borno South, Back Askira for Senate

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri 

Political undercurrents in Borno South Senatorial District took a decisive turn on Tuesday as influential stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) openly opposed the continued stay of Senator Ali Ndume in the National Assembly, signalling a growing demand for power rotation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The position emerged from a series of high-level consultations held across Biu, Gwoza and Shani, where party leaders and community influencers rallied behind the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State Assembly, Abdullahi Musa Askira, urging him to contest the senatorial seat.

The move, according to participants, reflects a broader agitation to end what they described as the prolonged dominance of Gwoza Local Government Area in representing the district at the Senate since 1999.

Speaking on behalf of elders and party stakeholders, a Second Republic politician and APC chieftain, Sule Gambo, said the agitation is rooted in a long-standing agreement that the seat should rotate among the constituent local government areas.

“We began this journey with a clear understanding that representation would be shared. Askira/Uba yielded the position to Gwoza in the spirit of fairness,” Gambo said. “But that understanding has not been honoured, and the process has stalled. It is only that other areas are given the opportunity to serve.”

He stressed that the district, which comprises Chibok, Damboa, Gwoza and Askira/Uba, must return to the principles of inclusiveness to foster unity and equitable development.

Gambo further described Askira as a capable figure with the intellectual depth and leadership qualities required to reposition the district at the national level.

Adding her voice, a prominent women’s leader, Dr Hawa Mai-Musa, warned that women, who constitute a significant portion of the electorate, are prepared to insist on fairness in representation.

“For over two decades, the Senate seat has remained in one axis. For justice and balance, it should now shift to other areas like Chibok and Askira/Uba,” she said. “Engr. Askira has demonstrated capacity, and we stand firmly behind him.”

Traditional authorities have also weighed in on the unfolding debate. The Galadima of Uba Emirate, Alhaji Adamu Jafiya, called for a new direction in leadership, noting that the district requires a representative focused on development and stability.

“Our people desire leadership that prioritises progress and delivers tangible results, not endless controversies,” he said.

Meanwhile, an aide to the Deputy Speaker, who requested anonymity, said his principal is yet to make a formal declaration but is actively consulting stakeholders across the district.

“He is listening carefully to the people and engaging widely before taking any decision,” the aide said.

The growing calls for rotation underscore rising political tensions in Borno South, as competing interests begin to shape the battle for the 2027 Senate seat. Analysts say the unfolding developments could redefine alliances within the APC and significantly influence the region’s political landscape in the months ahead, particularly as various factions vie for power and support in the lead-up to the elections.

Zulum establishes N3b quarry plant, procures trucks to build more infrastructures

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has announced the establishment of a N3 billion quarry plant and the procurement of 70 heavy-duty trucks to build more infrastructural facilities and houses in the state.

The plant, sited at Pulka, aimed to reduce the riding costs of building materials for road networks and housing estates.

Zulum made the disclosures on Monday while flagging off the distribution of 70 brand-new Howo pickup trucks to the Ministry of Works and the State’s Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA) at the Government House, Maiduguri.

According to him, the Howo imported trucks are to boost the operational capacity of the Works Ministry and its supervising agencies at the various roads and housing project sites across the state.

Beyond the setup of the quarry plant, the governor further revealed: “The procured trucks will enable the swift deliveries of the various construction and building materials to projects’ sites”, adding that the prompt delivery of the building materials will expedite the quick rehabilitation of several dilapidated roads and highways in the local council areas.

According to the governor, the quarry plant will also provide locally sourced materials, including granites, gravels and certified sharp sand, to support ongoing and future road projects.

“Our local sourcing of construction and building materials will reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and cut costs of completing the roads and houses,” he noted.

Regarding infrastructures in the other sectors of the economy, he said: ““We have achieved a lot in the health, education, agriculture, security, and road construction sectors.

“However, we still have security challenges when constructing roads within the state, especially in rural communities affected by the approximately 17-year Boko Haram insurgency,” Zulum said.

He said that the Pulka quarry plant has the capacity to process 120 tonnes of stone chips and gravel used in roads and housing constructions.

He stated that the state government has expended approximately N3 billion on the establishment of the Pulka quarry plant. The state government spent at least 3 billion to establish the quarry plant,” he added.

According to the governor, due to the prevailing insecurity situations, most of the contractors are not willing to work in Borno State.

On what informed the government in setting up the Pulka plant, Zulum said, “No serious contractor will take the risk of deploying his equipment to most of the implementing areas, so this is the reason we are here,” the governor reinstated.

“So, we have no option but to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Works and BORMA, under special projects, to monitor departments and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are responsible for road construction.”