Borno Youths, Students Rally Against Terror, Urge Nigerians to Unite for National Security

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Hundreds of youths and students from tertiary institutions in Borno State on Sunday staged a peaceful march in Maiduguri, calling on Nigerians to unite against terrorism and other forms of criminality while pledging support for the Federal Government and security agencies in the fight against insecurity.

The campaign, held under the banner UniteAgainstTerror, drew participants from various youth and student organisations across the state. The procession began at the Post Office area of Maiduguri and featured awareness messages promoting national unity, peace and collective responsibility in tackling insecurity.

Speaking to journalists during the rally, the leader of the Borno Youth and Students Forum, Suleiman Muhammed, commended the Federal Government and security agencies for their response to the recent abduction of students in Oyo State, describing the rescue efforts as encouraging.

He urged the authorities to intensify operations aimed at rescuing all victims still in captivity, particularly those affected by insurgency in Borno and other parts of the country.

Muhammed also cautioned against yielding to terrorists’ demands for ransom payments, arguing that such concessions could embolden criminal groups and worsen the country’s security challenges.

“This campaign is a call on all Nigerians, especially young people, to stand together against terrorism. We must unite and reject every form of support for criminal elements,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the government would continue strengthening efforts to restore peace across all regions of the country without discrimination.

While acknowledging the commitment of both the federal and Borno State governments to combating insurgency, Muhammed appealed for more strategic interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity.

According to him, expanding youth empowerment programmes and creating economic opportunities would help reduce crime and discourage young people from being recruited into violent groups.

“Government has done a lot, but more needs to be done to permanently end insurgency. Providing jobs, empowering young people and creating an enabling environment for legitimate livelihoods are essential to achieving lasting peace,” he added.

Other participants at the rally stressed the need for sustained investment in the nation’s security architecture, including improved equipment, logistics and welfare for military personnel and other security operatives.

One of the protesters, Khadijat Abdullahi, said defeating terrorism would require both stronger security measures and policies that address poverty and unemployment.

“The government should continue investing in our security agencies by providing modern equipment and improving the welfare of troops. At the same time, attention must be given to tackling poverty and creating employment opportunities because these are among the factors driving criminality,” she said.

Throughout the march, participants carried placards bearing messages such as “Unity: Our Weapon Against Terrorism,” “Say No to Collaborating with Terrorists,” “Say Yes to Peace,” “Together We Stand Against Terrorism and Criminality,” and “A Secure Nigeria Starts With All of Us.”

The organisers said the campaign was intended to encourage citizens to support security agencies, reject violent extremism and promote national unity as a critical tool in overcoming terrorism and other security threats across Nigeria.

Zulum Approves Two New Community Schools in Biu, Upgrades Hospital to Specialist Facility

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the construction of two new community secondary schools in Biu Local Government Area as part of efforts to expand access to free and quality education across the state.

The governor also designated Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Biu, as one of the state’s eight Centres of Excellence, an initiative aimed at promoting academic excellence, unity and cultural integration among students from different parts of Borno.

Zulum disclosed this on Sunday while speaking with journalists during his week-long assessment tour of five local government areas in southern Borno.

The governor, who spent the previous night in Azare, Hawul Local Government Area, inspected several public institutions in Biu, including Government Senior Science Secondary School, Government Secondary School Waka, Government Girls Secondary School, the Nigerian Army University, the new General Hospital, the 100 Housing Estate and the State Hotels.

He also visited the proposed sites for the Community Boys Day Secondary School and Community Girls Day Secondary School, where he directed that construction should begin immediately and be completed before the end of his administration.

According to him, the growing population of Biu has placed increasing pressure on existing educational facilities, making it necessary for government to create more opportunities for children to enrol in secondary schools.

“Biu is growing rapidly, and government must respond by expanding access to education. We have assessed the situation and decided to build two additional community secondary schools, one for boys and another for girls,” the governor said.

Zulum explained that the Centres of Excellence initiative would revive the state’s school exchange programme, allowing students from different parts of Borno to study together while receiving transportation support from the government.

He said the programme would strengthen social cohesion by encouraging interaction among young people from diverse communities across the state.

The governor also addressed students of Government Girls Secondary School, Biu, where he urged both Muslim and Christian students to uphold the moral teachings of their respective faiths, describing discipline and good character as the foundation of a peaceful society.

To improve students’ welfare, he announced the donation of 200 bags of rice, beans and cooking oil for school feeding. He also approved the construction of an additional borehole for the school’s kitchen and directed the repair of the existing faulty water facility.

At the Nigerian Army University, Zulum inspected two blocks of 12 three-bedroom staff quarters built by the state government. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the institution’s plan to establish a College of Medical Sciences, which he said would create more opportunities for Borno students to study medicine and related health courses.

The governor also inspected the ongoing construction of a 150-bed General Hospital in Biu, revealing that the facility would be upgraded to a Specialist Hospital upon completion.

He said the expansion would increase the hospital’s capacity to between 300 and 400 beds, enabling it to provide advanced healthcare services not only for residents of Biu but also for people across the remaining eight local government areas in southern Borno.

According to Zulum, the upgraded hospital would play a critical role in supporting the Nigerian Army University’s proposed medical college, with the institution expected to admit its first medical students next year.

In a move to strengthen healthcare delivery, the governor announced automatic employment for 17 volunteer nurses currently serving at the General Hospital. He also pledged to recruit additional medical personnel to meet the growing healthcare needs of the area.

The visit formed part of Zulum’s ongoing inspection of government projects across southern Borno, focusing on improving education, healthcare and public infrastructure in underserved communities.

Borno Abduction: Zulum Promises Medical, Relief Support

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

The Borno State Government has intensified its response to the recent attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, with a high-powered delegation visiting injured victims, grieving families and traditional leaders to reassure them of ongoing rescue efforts and government support.

The delegation, led by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, continued its engagements on Wednesday on the directive of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, following the deadly attack on the school in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

The team began its visit at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Mubi, where it met with Malam Goni Shettima, a teacher who sustained a gunshot wound to the head during the attack.

Receiving the delegation, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Shuaibu Jauro Yahya, disclosed that the injured teacher was responding to treatment and was in stable condition but would require advanced medical care.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Zulum, Wakilbe conveyed the governor’s sympathy to the injured teacher and his family, assuring them that the state government would continue to provide the necessary support throughout his recovery.

“His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, deeply sympathises with you and your family over this unfortunate incident,” the commissioner said.

From Mubi, the delegation proceeded to Uba, where it met with parents of the abducted students at the palace of the Emir of Uba, Alhaji Aliyu Ibn Samaila Mamza.

Addressing the anxious families, Wakilbe acknowledged the emotional pain caused by the abduction and assured them that the government was working closely with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to secure the safe release of the missing students.

“We understand the pain and anguish the families are going through. I want to assure you that the government has not relented. We are working closely with security agencies and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the safe rescue and reunification of the abducted students with their families,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the affected parents, Mr. Emmanuel Ayuba and Rev. Simon Wayindu urged the government to intensify rescue operations, saying families had continued to endure trauma and uncertainty since the attack.

The delegation also travelled to Mussa Community, where another group of students was abducted during a separate school attack on May 15, 2026. Government officials reassured parents that efforts to rescue the children remained active and that authorities had not abandoned the victims.

Responding on behalf of the families in Mussa, Mr. Ishaku Jidayi appealed for faster intervention, calling on the government to do everything possible to reunite the abducted children with their loved ones.

The visit forms part of the Borno State Government’s broader humanitarian and security response aimed at supporting victims, providing relief to affected families and sustaining pressure for the safe return of all abducted students.

The delegation comprised the Commissioner for Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Samaila Satumari; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr. Julian Bitrus; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Projects, Engr. Emmanuel Yerima; Treasurer of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Suleiman Bello Maina; Education Secretary of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Fatsuma Adamu; Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Hon. Mada Saidu, alongside other senior government officials.

The Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) also accompanied the delegation throughout the visits, underscoring the government’s coordinated approach to addressing the aftermath of the attacks.

The government has also pledged continued medical assistance for the injured victims and relief materials for affected families, while reaffirming its commitment to securing the release of all abducted students.