Zulum, Shettima Rally APC Unity as Gubio Emerges Borno Governorship Candidate

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima over the emergence of Engr. Mustapha Gubio as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking shortly after the affirmation ceremony held in Maiduguri on Thursday, Governor Zulum described Gubio’s emergence as a divine arrangement rather than political manipulation.

According to the governor, the consensus process that produced Gubio reflected the will of God and the unity within the ruling party in Borno State.

“What we witnessed today is the will of Almighty Allah. Power comes only by His permission,” Zulum said while expressing appreciation to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for supporting the peaceful consensus process.

He also commended the leadership of the APC for creating what he described as an enabling atmosphere that ensured a smooth and rancour-free primary exercise across the state.

Before Thursday’s affirmation, Gubio had emerged as the party’s consensus candidate after consultations involving key stakeholders and party leaders in the state.

The affirmation ceremony was conducted by the chairman of the Borno APC primary election committee, Chief Emma Eneukwu, at the defunct Kashim Ibrahim College of Education in Maiduguri.

Addressing party supporters during the event, Vice President Shettima called on APC members to remain united, especially aspirants and supporters who did not secure delegate victories during the party process.

“There is no victor and no vanquished,” Shettima said, urging party faithful to put aside grievances and work together for the progress of Borno State and the APC.

Several prominent APC leaders attended the event, including former governors Ali Modu Sheriff and Maina Ma’aji Lawan.

The other dignitaries present included APC Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Dalori, APC State Chairman Bello Ayuba, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan.

Meanwhile, Gubio pledged to sustain and expand the developmental programs initiated by Governor Zulum if elected in 2027.

In his acceptance speech, the APC candidate promised to focus on education, youth empowerment, agriculture, and the reconstruction of communities affected by insurgency across the state.

He also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima and Governor Zulum for their leadership and support, describing their roles as integral to the peace and progress currently being witnessed in Borno State.

Gubio further assured party members and residents that his administration would build on the achievements recorded in infrastructure, security assistance, and humanitarian recovery efforts across the state.

Zulum Assures Parents of Safe Return of 48 Abducted Pupils in Borno

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited Uba town in the Askira/Uba Local Government Area on Tuesday to sympathise with the families of 48 residents, mostly schoolchildren, who were abducted by gunmen in the Mussa community last Friday.

During the visit, the governor assured parents and guardians that the federal government, security agencies, and the Borno State government were tirelessly working to ensure the safe return of the victims.

Governor Zulum met with grieving families at the palace of the Emir of Uba, where he expressed concern over the incident and pledged continued government support to the affected communities.

“I want to convey my deepest sympathy to the Emir of Uba, the parents of the abducted children, and the entire population of the Uba Emirate over the recent unfortunate incident,” the governor said.

He assured residents that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian armed forces, and the Borno State government were committed to ensuring the abducted children were safely rescued.

“Let me assure you that the Federal Government, under the distinguished leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the Borno State Government will do everything possible to secure the release of the children,” Zulum added.

The governor commended the military and other security agencies for their prompt response following the abduction, noting that senior security officers had already been deployed to the area to strengthen operations.

According to him, the brigade commander, commanding officer, divisional police officer, and other heads of security formations have been mobilised to prevent further attacks and facilitate the rescue mission.

Zulum also pledged to strengthen security in Askira, Uba, and neighbouring communities to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“We have made frantic efforts to stabilise Askira, Uba, and adjacent communities by reinforcing security in these areas,” he stated.

The governor appealed to the abductors to release the children, describing them as innocent minors in need of parental care and protection.

He further urged residents of the Uba Emirate and the entire state to intensify prayers for peace and security, especially during the first 10 days of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah.

Speaking during the visit, the Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ali Ibn Isma’ila Mamza II, disclosed that the attack occurred on May 15, when gunmen stormed the Mussa community and abducted 48 people, including 37 primary school pupils, six secondary school students, and five other residents.

The monarch commended Governor Zulum for his consistent support to communities affected by insecurity and his efforts toward restoring peace across the state.

Also speaking, a representative of the Mussa community, Dr Chinapi Amanja, appreciated the governor for the visit and acknowledged the deployment of additional security personnel to the area.

In a related development, Governor Zulum also visited Chibok Town to sympathise with residents over recent attacks in parts of the local government area that reportedly claimed several lives and left many others injured.

Addressing district heads, village heads and other stakeholders, the governor described the attacks as tragic and assured residents that the government was taking steps to restore normalcy through the deployment of more troops and security operators.

“I purposely came to Chibok to sympathise with you over the recent attacks on some parts of the local government, which claimed many lives and left others injured,” he said.

The governor urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding while security agencies intensify efforts to safeguard lives and property across the affected communities.

Ndume Raises Alarm Over Abduction of 42 Pupils in Borno School Attack

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has raised concern over the abduction of 42 pupils and students following an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on a secondary school in Mussa community of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The lawmaker disclosed that the attack occurred at the Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), Mussa, a farming and herding community located on the eastern fringe of the notorious Sambisa Forest.

Speaking on Saturday in Maiduguri, Ndume appealed to the military and other security agencies, particularly troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, to intensify efforts toward rescuing the abducted children.

“I am appealing to the military and other security agencies, especially the ground troops of Operation Hadin Kai, to intensify efforts in rescuing the abducted school children currently in captivity,” the senator said.

He described the incident as traumatic and devastating for affected families, noting that many parents and guardians have been thrown into despair and uncertainty following the attack.

According to Ndume, the latest abduction has further worsened the security challenges confronting communities in his senatorial district, which comprises nine local government areas and has witnessed repeated insurgent attacks in recent weeks.

He recalled that communities in Chibok, including Bambatsu and Ngadarma, were attacked on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of several residents, including elderly persons, alongside the destruction of property.

The senator expressed particular concern that the school attack happened while students were attending their early morning lessons.

He revealed that information obtained from school authorities indicated that four students were abducted from the secondary school section, while 28 pupils were taken from the primary section. Another 10 children were reportedly kidnapped from nearby residential homes, bringing the total number of abducted victims to 42.

Ndume, who previously served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, urged the Nigerian military to intensify rescue operations and strengthen security surveillance across vulnerable communities in southern Borno.

He also sympathised with families affected by the recent attacks in Chibok communities and other parts of the senatorial district.