Zulum’s Assurance Secures Maiduguri 2026 NSE Conference Hosting Rights

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has officially received the hosting rights for the 2026 Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) International Engineering Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is scheduled to hold in December in Maiduguri.

On Tuesday, the NSE President, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, made the presentation. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu made the presentation during a dinner that Governor Zulum organised in honour of the visiting NSE leadership.

The high-profile conference, tagged “Maiduguri 2026,” is themed “Engineering Innovations for Enhanced Security and Sustainable National Development” and is expected to attract about 10,000 engineers, experts, and stakeholders from across Nigeria and beyond.

Speaking earlier during a courtesy visit by the NSE delegation, Governor Zulum assured the body that Maiduguri remains safe and fully prepared to host the international gathering, dismissing concerns over security in the state.

He noted that Borno State has successfully hosted several major national and international events in recent years without any incident, citing conferences and cultural gatherings as evidence of improved stability.

“In 2025, Maiduguri hosted several national and international events including the National Council on Power, National Council on Education, Kanem-Borno Cultural Summit, Qur’anic Recitation Competition, and the National Council on Health, among others,” the governor said.

According to him, the successful hosting of such events demonstrates that “Maiduguri is secure and ready,” while also highlighting the state’s reputation for hospitality.

Governor Zulum also expressed appreciation over the NSE’s decision to confer honorary fellowship on prominent businessman and philanthropist Dr. Muhammadu Indimi, describing the recognition as “well deserved” and long overdue in view of his contributions to education and infrastructure development in Nigeria.

Responding, NSE President Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu commended the Borno State Government for its sustained efforts in improving security and rebuilding confidence in the state.

He said the Society was impressed by the relative peace currently enjoyed in Maiduguri and across Borno, adding that the environment assured a successful conference.

Rabiu further disclosed that the NSE Council would hold a preparatory meeting in Maiduguri in July to assess security arrangements and confirm readiness ahead of the December event.

“We have consistently received positive reports about events held in Maiduguri without security incidents,” he said, expressing optimism that the 2026 conference would be peaceful and successful.

The courtesy visit was attended by the Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Bukar Tijani; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; top government officials; and members of the NSE delegation.

The 2026 NSE conference will further position Borno State as a growing hub for national dialogue, professional exchange, and post-conflict development in Nigeria.

Crackdown in Maiduguri: Police Arrest Eight, Seize Illicit Drugs in Renewed War Against Substance Abuse

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

As concerns continue to grow over the impact of drug abuse on youth and community safety in Borno State, the police have intensified efforts to dismantle networks involved in the distribution and consumption of illicit substances.

In a fresh operation targeting criminal activities linked to substance abuse, the Borno State Police Command arrested eight suspects and recovered various prohibited drugs during coordinated raids in parts of Maiduguri, the state capital.

The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Anti-Social Vices Unit carried out the operation as part of an ongoing campaign by the command to tackle drug-related crimes and other social vices across the state.

According to the police, the exercise was conducted in compliance with directives issued by the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, who has ordered intensified actions against drug trafficking, abuse and criminal activities associated with narcotics.

Speaking about the development, the spokesperson for the command, ASP Nahum Daso, said the latest arrests demonstrate the police’s determination to rid communities of activities that threaten public safety.

“The operatives of the command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Anti-Social Vices Unit have recorded another significant success,” Mr Daso said in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

He disclosed that on 1 June 2026, at about 2:20 p.m., officers carried out a targeted raid in the Bulumkutu and Dala communities within the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

“The RRS Anti-Social Vices Team conducted a targeted raid operation in the Bulumkutu and Dala areas of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, which led to the arrest of eight suspects for alleged possession and consumption of prohibited substances,” he stated.

The police spokesman said a search conducted during the operation resulted in the recovery of several suspected illicit drugs and controlled substances.

Among the items recovered were 46 capsules of Tramadol, 12 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis, commonly known as Indian hemp, and two D5 tablets.

Security experts have repeatedly warned that the abuse of hard drugs and controlled substances is a major contributor to violent crimes, juvenile delinquency, and other forms of insecurity in many communities.

Mr Daso noted that the suspects have already been arraigned in court, while the recovered substances have been submitted as exhibits to support prosecution.

The latest arrests underscore the Borno State Police Command’s broader strategy of combining intelligence-led operations with community engagement to curb the spread of illicit drugs.

The command also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and support law enforcement agencies by providing credible information that could assist in identifying criminal hideouts and drug distribution networks.

Reaffirming their commitment to public safety, the police say they will continue to target individuals and groups involved in drug-related offences and other criminal activities throughout the state.

Residents with useful information were encouraged to contact the police through the command’s emergency lines as authorities sustain the campaign against substance abuse and criminality in Borno.

 Borno’s Cholera Crisis Deepens as Cases Surge Beyond 4,200, Exposing Public Health Challenges

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

A fresh wave of cholera infections sweeping across Borno State has heightened concerns among health authorities and residents, with more than 4,200 suspected cases and 39 deaths recorded within weeks of the outbreak.

The alarming figures underscore the scale of a public health emergency that is stretching healthcare resources and prompting urgent interventions from the state government and development partners.

Health officials disclosed that the disease continues to spread rapidly across affected communities, with 274 new suspected cases recorded within a single day, raising fears that the outbreak could worsen if preventive measures are not strengthened.

The latest update was presented during a sensitisation meeting in Maiduguri, where officials from the state government, local government councils, and health stakeholders gathered to review response efforts and strategies for containing the disease.

A Rapidly Expanding Outbreak

Speaking at the meeting, the incident manager of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Dr. Jacob Thlizer, said the outbreak has affected dozens of communities across several local government areas.

According to him, health officials have documented a total of 4,204 suspected cholera cases from 36 wards across ten affected local government areas.

“New suspected cases in the last 24 hours are 274, while the total suspected cases line listed are 4,204 recorded from 36 wards in the affected local governments,” Dr Thlizer said.

He added that the outbreak has so far claimed 39 lives.

Data presented by the health authorities showed that Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) remains the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for 2,404 cases, followed by Jere with 1,214 cases. Other affected areas include Konduga, Mafa, Monguno, Kaga, Kwaya Kusar, Bama, Magumeri and Ngala.

The concentration of cases in urban and peri-urban communities has renewed concerns over sanitation, access to clean water, and population density, particularly in areas still recovering from years of conflict and displacement.

Government Activates Emergency Response

As infections continue to rise, authorities say they have already activated emergency measures to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Dr. Thlizer noted that the state government had mobilised health actors and activated the Incident Management System to coordinate response activities.

“The state government has activated IMS, coordinated meetings with all health actors in the state, awareness creation in hotspot locations, and procurement of commodities,” he explained.

Health workers have intensified community sensitisation campaigns, while they are also distributing emergency supplies, including treatment materials and medical consumables, to affected locations.

The outbreak comes at a time when many communities in Borno are grappling with fragile healthcare systems and inadequate access to safe drinking water, conditions that often create fertile ground for water-borne diseases.

Expanding Treatment Capacity

To manage the growing number of patients, the Borno State Ministry of Health and Human Services says it has expanded treatment facilities and established specialised centres for cholera care.

Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Shetima Muhammad revealed that the government had set up dedicated treatment centres to accommodate patients and reduce pressure on existing hospitals.

“The Ministry of Health has established dedicated health centres, namely the emergency and infectious disease centre in Njimtilo and an infectious disease camp with over 1,000 beds at Ngarannam to treat the affected people,” he said.

Mr Muhammad also disclosed that Governor Babagana Umara Zulum had approved the distribution of medicines and medical consumables to camps and treatment facilities handling cholera patients.

“The Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has already listed camps where drugs and consumables will be delivered to people that are taken there,” he added.

Health experts say rapid treatment remains critical because cholera can lead to severe dehydration and death within hours if left untreated.

Residents Urged to Prioritise Hygiene

Officials are also intensifying public awareness campaigns, urging residents to maintain strict hygiene practices and seek immediate medical attention whenever symptoms appear.

Common symptoms include acute watery diarrhoea, vomiting and severe dehydration.

Authorities have encouraged communities to ensure proper handwashing, consume safe drinking water, and promptly report suspected cases to nearby health facilities.

For many residents, however, access to clean water remains a challenge, particularly in overcrowded settlements and communities hosting displaced populations.

Public health specialists warn that unless sanitation conditions improve and preventive messages reach vulnerable communities, the outbreak could continue to spread despite ongoing treatment efforts.

A Call for Collective Action

The Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, said the administration remains committed to supporting healthcare institutions and frontline workers battling the outbreak.

“I want to thank you and commend your efforts. I would like to mention that if there are any issues anywhere, please let us know so that we can confront this menace,” Mr Tijani said.

“In the last three or four days, many efforts have been made, and I believe that this sensitisation is also a great step,” he added.

As Borno races to contain the outbreak, health officials insist that government intervention alone will not be enough. They argue that community cooperation, improved hygiene practices and early reporting of symptoms will determine whether the state can prevent the disease from escalating into a larger humanitarian crisis.

For now, the numbers continue to climb, serving as a stark reminder of the public health vulnerabilities that persist in a state still rebuilding from years of conflict and displacement.