Police arrest two suspects for murder, drug abuse offences in Yobe

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

The Yobe State Police Command has arrested two suspects for alleged murders and drug abuse-related offences in Damaturu, the state capital.

The apprehended suspects, Musa Mohammed, 24, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, 32, alledgedly used an axe and other dangerous weapons in murdering Adamu Suleiman Saidu, 33, and Abdullahi Musa, a 20-year-old victim.

Spokesperson of the command, Superintendent of Police (SP), Dungus Abdulkarim disclosed yesterday in Damaturu that “On 7th April 2026 at about 2:10 p.m., a distress report was received at the ‘A’ Division Police Station Damaturu regarding a violent attack that occurred earlier at about 06:30 p.m. in the Bindigari Primary School area of Damaturu metropolis.”

Dungus further revealed: “Our preliminary investigation indicated that Adamu Suleiman Said was allegedly attacked by Musa Mohammed, also known as “Aljan”, following a misunderstanding believed to be connected to substance abuse.”

He explained that during the altercation, the suspect allegedly attacked the victim with an axe, inflicting severe injuries to his head, while the suspect sustained minor injuries during the fight.

Alamin Abdullahi Musa,

Consequently, he added, the police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene, arrested the suspect, and recovered the axe used in committing the crime, which has been registered as an exhibit.

Beyond the arrest of the suspect, the SP stated, “The victim was immediately rushed to the General Hospital Damaturu for medical attention but sadly died while receiving treatment,” noting that

Investigation into the incident has commenced, and the suspect will be prosecuted accordingly.

A similar incident occurred on 5th April 2026 at about 1:30 p.m., when officers attached to ‘C’ Division, Damaturu, swiftly responded to a distress call involving a violent fight between Al’amin Abdullahi Musa, of Abari, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, also of the same address.

He explained: “The dispute was reportedly started over a borrowed T-shirt, which eventually escalated into a physical fight.

“During the altercation, punches were exchanged, causing one of the parties to fall unconscious to the ground.

“Police operatives immediately rushed the victim to the Specialist Hospital Damaturu, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel.”

He said this led the police to arrest Abdullahi Musa, while the investigation is ongoing at the State’s Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

The command, therefore, urged parents, community leaders, and civil society organisations to support security agencies in addressing the menace of drug and substance abuse among youths, lamenting that it has contributed to

violent crimes and preventable loss of lives.

The command reiterated its commitment to the fight against crime and criminality across Yobe State, noting that the continued reduction in crime rates in the state is a testament to the sustained cooperation and support of community members.

The Police Commissioner, Emmanuel Ado, urged members of the public to remain law-abiding, resolve disputes peacefully, and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

YSU Matriculates 2,240 Students, Pushes Entrepreneurship as Pathway to Jobs

By Njadvara Musa  

Yobe State University has matriculated 2,240 students for the 2025/2026 academic session, with a strong call on fresh undergraduates to embrace entrepreneurship as a viable pathway to tackling unemployment and poverty.

The new students, drawn from seven faculties and the College of Medical Sciences (CoMS), were formally admitted during a matriculation ceremony held on Wednesday at the university’s main campus in Damaturu, where authorities also cautioned them against indiscipline and misconduct.

Vice Chancellor Mohammed Bashir Tahir, while addressing the students, highlighted a shifting economic reality in Nigeria, noting that job opportunities are increasingly moving away from the public sector toward a more structured and competitive private sector.

“There is a strategic shift in job creation opportunities, from overdependence on government employment to the organised private sector,” he said, urging students to position themselves for emerging opportunities.

He explained that the institution is intensifying efforts to equip students, especially youths and women, with innovative entrepreneurial skills using available resources, such as workshops, mentorship programs, and partnerships with local businesses.

According to him academic programmes across faculties are designed not only to provide knowledge but also to prepare students for self-reliance.

“Our goal is not just to prepare students for government jobs. We want to nurture individuals who can create employment or integrate seamlessly into innovative private enterprises,” Tahir stated.

The Vice Chancellor also commended the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund, describing it as a crucial support mechanism for students facing financial challenges in completing their education.

However, he issued a stern warning against examination malpractice, drug abuse, and other forms of misconduct, stressing that violators would face strict disciplinary action.

In his remarks, the registrar, Isa Audu Dallari, congratulated the newly admitted students and described the matriculation as a significant milestone in their academic journey. He urged them to adhere strictly to the institution’s rules and regulations.

Similarly, the Dean of Student Affairs, Sani Isah, advised the students to strike a balance between academics and co-curricular activities, cautioning against excessive use of social media and other distractions that could undermine their studies.

A breakdown of the admission figures indicates that the Faculty of Sciences recorded the highest intake with 935 students, followed by the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences with 525. The College of Medical Sciences admitted 465 students, while the Faculties of Education, Arts, Law, and Agriculture recorded 121, 74, 67, and 53 students, respectively. respectively.

The ceremony marks the official commencement of academic activities for the new students, as the university reinforces its commitment to producing graduates equipped with both knowledge and practical skills for Nigeria’s evolving students, respectively. economy. Chancellor Mohammed.

Yobe Secures $5m World Bank Grant to Power Hospitals, Schools with Solar

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

The Yobe State Government has secured a $5 million World Bank grant, estimated at N7 billion, to provide solar-powered electricity to six major health and educational institutions across the state.

The intervention, which will deliver rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, is expected to improve power supply in key public institutions and reduce the burden of unreliable electricity and rising diesel costs.

Announcing the development in Damaturu over the weekend, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Energy, Dr Mustapha Abba Geidam, said the funding followed a partnership championed by Governor Mai Mala Buni between the Federal Rural Electrification Agency (FREA) and the World Bank.

He stated that the project aims to enhance service delivery in vital sectors, particularly health and education, while promoting sustainable development in the state.

According to him, the institutions selected to benefit from the project include Specialist and General Hospitals in Potiskum, Buni-Yadi, Geidam and Nguru, as well as Umar Suleiman College of Education, Nguru, and Yobe State University, Damaturu.

Dr Geidam explained that the project is aimed at addressing the persistent power challenges affecting the institutions, noting that many of them currently depend on multiple diesel-powered generators to function.

He said the poor and unstable electricity supply has continued to affect healthcare delivery and learning activities, adding that the installation of solar PV (photovoltaic) systems would provide a cleaner, more dependable and more affordable energy source.

He noted that the new solar systems would provide more reliable services, cut operational expenses, and contribute to environmental sustainability in the state.

The permanent secretary also mentioned that the project was based on a thorough study of feasibility and energy needs, which indicated that most of the chosen facilities are suitable for installing solar panels on their roofs, while ground-mounted systems will be used where needed.

He added that the full project proposal had already been formally submitted to the managing director and chief executive officer of YOREA, Engr Abba Aliyu, for immediate consideration and implementation.

The government described the project as another major step in its drive to improve public infrastructure and expand access to clean energy, saying the initiative reflects Governor Buni’s commitment to transforming Yobe’s energy sector and improving the living conditions of residents.

Yobe also expressed his appreciation to the World Bank and the Rural Electrification Agency for their support, while pledging full commitment to the successful execution of the project.