Police Bust Phone-Snatching Ring in Damaturu, Arrest Seven Suspects

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu 

The Yobe State Police Command says it has arrested seven suspects linked to a string of burglary and phone-snatching incidents in Damaturu, the state capital.

The police said the arrests followed a coordinated operation targeting criminal activities in Nayinawa, Bindigari, One Million Road and Pompomari communities.

In a statement on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, said operatives of ‘A’ Division carried out the operation between April 16 and 19, leading to the dismantling of a suspected criminal syndicate.

“In a coordinated operation carried out by operatives of ‘A’ Division, Damaturu, a notorious criminal syndicate operating within the affected communities was successfully dismantled,” Mr Abdulkarim said.

He identified the suspects as Usman Mohammed (20), Abubakar Adamu (20), Mohammed Ibrahim (22), Mohd Goni (19), Khalifa Mohammed (19), Abubakar Mohammed (19), and Ali Mohammed (23).

The police spokesperson said the suspects confessed during interrogation to their involvement in multiple cases of burglary, theft and phone snatching across the affected areas.

“They admitted to stealing seven Android phones and two keypad phones. Six of the stolen phones have already been recovered,” he added.

Mr Abdulkarim said investigations are ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, commended the operatives for their efforts and professionalism.

He directed sustained operations against criminal hideouts across the state and emphasised the need for intelligence-led policing.

The police also urged residents to support security agencies with credible information to strengthen ongoing efforts to tackle crime.

NEDC Hands Over Upgraded Water Scheme in Yobe, Promises Relief for Gujba Communities

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has transferred an upgraded water supply project in Buni Gari to the Yobe State Government, in a move aimed at tackling water scarcity in Gujba Local Government Area.

The intervention extends potable water from Buni Gari to Buni Yadi and neighbouring communities, many of which were severely affected by years of insurgency that destroyed critical infrastructure.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the NEDC’s Yobe State Coordinator, Ali Abbas, said the project reflects the commission’s commitment to rebuilding essential services in the North-East.

“This intervention is part of our mandate to support recovery and improve living conditions in communities that have suffered infrastructure damage due to conflict,” Mr Abbas said.

He noted that although the project had earlier been inaugurated by Governor Mai Mala Buni, it is now fully completed and ready for operational use.

The facility comprises four boreholes fitted with high-capacity submersible pumps and powered by a solar hybrid system, alongside connections to the national grid to ensure uninterrupted supply.

Other components include large-capacity water storage tanks, a booster station, an administrative building, and security structures. An extensive pipeline network has also been installed to enhance water distribution across the affected communities.

Mr Abbas added that an additional 6.01-kilometre pipeline network was constructed in response to demands from residents of Buni Yadi and surrounding areas.

“Today, we are formally handing over the facilities to the Yobe State Water Corporation and the Rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene Agency for sustainable management,” he said.

He reiterated the commission’s resolve to continue investing in infrastructure that supports livelihoods and stabilises communities recovering from conflict.

Mr Abbas also disclosed that the NEDC had supplied equipment, including pumps, solar accessories and pipes, to facilitate repairs of damaged boreholes across the state.

According to him, the intervention followed assessments conducted in over 100 communities where water facilities were found to be non-functional.

Receiving the project on behalf of the state government, the General Manager of the Yobe State Water Corporation, Alhaji Ba’Abba Habu, described the project as a major boost to water supply in the area.

“This project will significantly improve access to clean water for residents of Buni Yadi and neighbouring communities,” Mr Habu said.

He assured that the state government would ensure proper maintenance of the facilities to guarantee long-term sustainability.

Residents who spoke to reporters expressed optimism that the project would ease water shortages, reduce the risk of waterborne diseases, and lessen the burden on women and children who often travel long distances in search of water.

10,000 Youths in Power: APC Hails Buni’s Bold Inclusion Drive in Yobe

By Musa Garba

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State has revealed that Governor Mai Mala Buni has appointed no fewer than 10,000 young people into key leadership roles across his administration, in what the party described as a landmark move toward inclusive governance.

On Friday in Damaturu, the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Gadaka, made the disclosure during the 2026 Yobe Leadership and Innovation Summit. Gadaka, who was represented by Mohammed Gulani, said the appointments cut across strategic positions, including members of the State Executive Council, heads of boards and parastatals, as well as special advisers, focal persons, and senior special assistants.

According to him, the appointments underscore the governor’s deliberate effort to empower young people and integrate them into decision-making processes within government.

He added that, beyond political appointments, over 400 youths had also benefited from foreign scholarships under the state’s Recovery Through Education and Scholarship (RETES) initiative, a program designed to rebuild human capital and expand opportunities for the younger generation.

Speaking at the summit, convened by the Centre for Leadership and Good Governance, Damaturu, its chief convener, Alhaji Baba Shehu, commended Governor Buni for what he described as a courageous commitment to youth inclusion, despite initial resistance from entrenched political interests.

Shehu urged future leaders in the state to sustain the inclusive governance model, noting that the policy had strengthened institutions and fostered a new generation of capable leaders. He added that the performance of the appointees across various sectors demonstrated their capacity and justified the confidence reposed in them.

Also contributing, the state commissioner for basic education, Dr Abba Adam, emphasised the critical role of young people in national development, describing youth as a driving force behind societal progress.

He noted that nations that prioritise youth development often record rapid growth, citing global examples of how investments in young populations have translated into sustainable development.

In a similar vein, stakeholders at the event called on the beneficiaries of the governor’s inclusive policies to justify the opportunity by demonstrating loyalty, discipline and commitment to public service.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Road Traffic Management Agency (YOROTA), Bature Goniri, disclosed that the appointees had collectively resolved to support candidates endorsed by Governor Buni in the forthcoming state and National Assembly elections.

He described the governor’s youth-focused governance model as a reference point not only for Yobe but for other states across the country, noting that it has redefined participation and leadership among young people in public service.