CP Abdulmajid disburses N5.51m to families of fallen officers in Borno

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

The State Police Commissioner, Naziru Abdulmajid, has disbursed N5,512,280.26 to ten family members of the fallen police officers in the state.

According to the command, the payments are under the Group Life Insurance (GLI) and the Inspector-General of Police Welfare (IGPW) schemes.

The spokesperson of the command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nahum Daso, disclosed yesterday in Maiduguri that “the commissioner’s disbursement of N5.51 million to the families of the fallen officers has underscored the Nigeria Police Force’s (NPF) commitment to the welfare of its personnel and the 10 families of the fallen heroes.”

Daso, in his statement, further assured the families that additional welfare support will also be provided to “sustain and enhance” the well-being of the beneficiaries of the NPF schemes.

Speaking on behalf of the 10 next of kin beneficiaries, Solomon Japhet expressed his profound appreciation to the IGP, Olatunji Dissu, and the Borno state command for the welfare support.

He noted that the gesture serves as a source of relief and encouragement to the respective families of the gallant fallen officers in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid, reaffirmed the command’s dedication to giving priority to the welfare of officers and men while honouring the sacrifices of those who paid the supreme price in serving the country of Nigeria.

Zulum Dissolves Cabinet as Borno 2027 Succession Race Begins

By Auwal Ahmad, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has dissolved the 22-member State Executive Council in a move that signals the beginning of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision, announced on Sunday, is widely considered a strategic step to allow members of the outgoing cabinet and other political appointees who may be interested in elective offices to prepare for the next electoral cycle.

In a statement issued in Maiduguri, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Bukar Tijani, said the dissolution takes immediate effect.

He added that all former commissioners have been directed to hand over the affairs of their respective ministries, departments, and agencies to their permanent secretaries on or before Friday, April 3, 2026.

The government stated that the action aimed to create a conducive environment for any former cabinet member aspiring to contest political office in 2027.

Mr Zulum also used the opportunity to commend the outgoing commissioners for their service to the state.

He expressed appreciation for what he described as their dedication, commitment, and contributions to governance, particularly by supporting the administration’s efforts to rebuild and stabilise Borno.

The cabinet shake-up comes at a time when political conversations in the state are increasingly shifting toward the question of who succeeds the governor at the end of his tenure.

Although no formal declarations have been made, there are already indications that some former commissioners and political actors, particularly from Borno North and Borno Central Senatorial Districts, are positioning themselves for the governorship race.

The development has intensified interest in the succession debate, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where consultations are reportedly accelerating.

Mr Zulum had earlier stirred political discussions when he told party supporters during the APC State Congress in Maiduguri that he did not have a preferred successor.

He believes that God will ultimately determine who becomes the next governor.

“It is the Almighty God that will determine who becomes my successor among the many aspirants from the three senatorial districts,” the governor said.

His comment has since continued to resonate in political circles, with many party loyalists and stakeholders interpreting it as a sign that the succession battle may remain open and competitive.

Political observers say the dissolution of the cabinet may not only free interested appointees to pursue their ambitions but could also mark the start of a broader power contest over the future direction of the state after Zulum.

The stakes are considered high, given the governor’s visible footprint in infrastructure development, the resettlement of internally displaced persons, education, healthcare, and post-conflict recovery since he assumed office in 2019.

For many residents and political stakeholders, the central concern is no longer just who emerges next, but whether the eventual successor will have the political will, administrative depth and public trust to sustain the pace of development already set in motion.

With 2027 still months away, Borno’s political landscape appears to be gradually entering a defining phase—one in which ambition, regional balance, party calculations, and governance legacies are expected to shape the contest ahead.

Police Bust Kidnap Ring in Maiduguri, Rescue 7-Year-Old, Recover ₦1.5m Ransom

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

The Borno State Police Command has arrested five suspected kidnappers and rescued a seven-year-old boy abducted in Maiduguri, recovering the ₦1.5 million ransom paid by the child’s family.

The command said the suspects had initially demanded ₦10 million from the victim’s family before lowering the ransom to ₦8 million. However, security operatives tracked down those involved in the abduction after the child’s mother paid ₦1.5 million.

Police spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed in Maiduguri that the incident was reported to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at about 3:30 p.m., shortly after the boy was kidnapped from the Chad Basin Development Authority staff quarters.

According to him, preliminary investigation indicated that the abductors contacted the victim’s mother through a concealed telephone line and issued a series of ransom demands while negotiations were ongoing.

Daso said the breakthrough came after detectives launched a digital forensic investigation into the payment trail used for the ransom.

He explained that operatives traced the Point of Sale (POS) account that received the ₦1.5 million and arrested the operator, identified as Musa Mohammed Bashir.

The police spokesman added that the arrest of the POS operator led investigators to four other suspects believed to have coordinated the kidnapping operation in the Chad Basin and Bulabulin Alajiri areas of Maiduguri.

He said the child was rescued unharmed, taken for medical examination, and later reunited with his parents.

The police also confirmed the recovery of the ₦1.5 million ransom paid by the family from the suspects.

The Commissioner of Police in Borno State, Naziru Abdulmajid, commended the detectives for what he described as a swift and professional operation.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and urged residents to remain alert and continue sharing useful information with security agencies to help tackle crime in the state.

The police said the investigation into the case is still ongoing, with further action to follow as authorities work to dismantle the suspected kidnapping network.