Nigeria News (Standard)
Borno Government Reintegrates 720 Repentant Insurgents, 3,042 Family Members After Rehabilitation
State hands over ex-combatants, spouses, and children to local councils after completing deradicalisation and vocational training
State hands over ex-combatants, spouses, and children to local councils after completing deradicalisation and vocational training
The Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 repentant Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents, together with 992 spouses and 2,050 children, into various communities across the state following completion of a structured rehabilitation programme. The handover ceremony took place at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri on Friday, marking the graduation of Batch 9 under the state’s deradicalisation initiative.
Special Adviser on Security to the Governor of Borno State, Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), said at the event that the beneficiaries had undergone comprehensive profiling, mental health counselling, religious education, and vocational skills acquisition before their release. According to Abdullahi, each returnee was sworn in using the Holy Quran as a pledge of commitment to peaceful coexistence within their communities.
The initiative is part of Borno’s non-kinetic approach to addressing insurgency in the North-East. Since its launch in July 2021 under Governor Babagana Zulum (APC), the programme has facilitated the surrender of over 350,000 individuals linked to insurgency and has so far fully reintegrated 9,680 people. Authorities say the process includes rigorous screening by local leaders and security outfits such as hunters and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) before beneficiaries are accepted back home.
During rehabilitation, participants attended Islamic teachings and mental health sessions twice weekly while spending other days learning trades including carpentry, tailoring, solar installation, phone repair, metal works, and bricklaying. The government provided starter packs for graduates to enable sustainable livelihoods upon reintegration. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo—represented by Permanent Secretary Babagana Kadai—described the exercise as a symbol of reconciliation and ongoing peace-building efforts led by Governor Zulum.
With this latest batch reintegrated across LGAs including Bama, Konduga, MMC, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, and Gwoza, state officials emphasised that continued community engagement remains critical for long-term stability in Borno. The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Zamfara Police Neutralise Explosive Planted by Suspected Bandits on Tsafe Road
Prompt action by Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit follows tip-off from local residents, averting possible mass casualties
Prompt action by Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit follows tip-off from local residents, averting possible mass casualties
Police operatives in Zamfara State have safely defused an improvised explosive device (IED) allegedly planted by suspected bandits along a major road in Tsafe Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred along the Kunchin Kalgo axis, was confirmed by the Zamfara State Police Command in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to police authorities, officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit were swiftly deployed to the scene after credible intelligence was received from community members. The IED was discovered before it could detonate, and security personnel successfully neutralised the device without any reported casualties or disruption to traffic.
The command stated that preliminary investigations indicate the explosive was strategically placed to inflict harm on innocent commuters and other road users. “Preliminary findings indicate that the explosive device was strategically planted to cause mass casualties among innocent road users and commuters,” the command said in its statement.
Police attributed the timely discovery of the device to improved collaboration between security agencies and residents in Zamfara State. “Through the Command’s robust community engagement strategy, effective partnerships, and sustained networking with local community members, timely and credible information was received, enabling the operatives to respond swiftly and neutralise the threat before any harm could occur,” police authorities added.
This incident highlights ongoing security challenges in Zamfara, part of Nigeria’s North-West geopolitical zone, where banditry and attacks on travellers have persisted despite heightened security measures. The police command reiterated its call for continued vigilance and cooperation from residents to help prevent further attacks. Authorities have assured that investigations are ongoing to identify those behind the attempted attack.
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/police-defuse-bandits-explosive-on-zamfara-road/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Niger State Shuts 15 Health Centres, Arrests Suspected Fake Doctor in Suleja Crackdown
Private Health Facilities Agency seals Ellamara Hospital, says operation follows intelligence reports on unqualified practitioners
Private Health Facilities Agency seals Ellamara Hospital, says operation follows intelligence reports on unqualified practitioners
Authorities in Niger State have sealed off 15 private health centres and arrested a man accused of practising as a fake doctor during an enforcement operation in Suleja Local Government Area on Saturday. The action was led by the Niger State Private Health Facilities Agency as part of efforts to sanitise the health sector and protect residents from unsafe medical practices.
According to Dr Abdullahi Suleiman, Executive Chairman of the agency, the clampdown followed intelligence reports and routine compliance checks that revealed irregularities in several facilities. Suleiman said Ellamara Specialist Hospital was shut down after inspectors discovered that a suspect had been providing medical services without necessary qualifications or a valid practising licence.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect, who allegedly dropped out of medical school, had worked as a medical doctor in Suleja for about six years. The agency noted that he was previously disengaged by a former employer over issues related to his credentials and had reportedly been arrested before in Cross River State for similar offences.
Suleiman stated that the ongoing enforcement exercise is aimed at upholding regulatory standards and ensuring only qualified professionals operate in Niger State’s health sector. “We will not tolerate quackery or illegal medical practice that puts lives at risk,” he said during an inspection tour. The agency did not immediately disclose the names of other affected centres but assured residents that further investigations would be carried out.
The Niger State Private Health Facilities Agency has urged members of the public to report suspicious activities at any health facility and warned operators to comply strictly with registration and licensing requirements. Further updates are expected as authorities continue their probe into private healthcare operations across Suleja LGA.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Factcheckers Expose Old Imo State Killings Video Circulating as Recent Attack
Digital investigators confirm viral footage predates latest security incidents as Imo Police warn public against misinformation
Digital investigators confirm viral footage predates latest security incidents as Imo Police warn public against misinformation
A video currently trending on social media claiming to show a recent attack in Imo State has been confirmed by factcheckers to be footage from an earlier incident. The video, which depicts scenes of violence and casualties, began circulating widely on Sunday, sparking fear among residents and concern from local authorities.
Investigators traced the origins of the clip and discovered it was first shared online months ago, following clashes in a different part of Imo State. Despite its age, the video resurfaced with captions linking it to alleged fresh attacks this week in communities around Orlu Local Government Area. Security agencies have since clarified that no such new incident matching the viral content occurred on the dates claimed.
The situation highlights ongoing challenges with misinformation in Nigeria’s security environment, especially in South-East states where tensions remain high over recurring violence. False claims and recycled videos have previously heightened anxiety and complicated response efforts by both security forces and humanitarian agencies.
Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, cautioned residents against spreading unverified content online. “We urge members of the public to verify any information before sharing it further. Misinformation undermines security operations and causes unnecessary panic,” Okoye said in a written statement on Monday.
Authorities said they are monitoring digital platforms for misleading posts while urging citizens to report suspicious activities through official channels. Analysts warn that repeated circulation of old violent imagery can erode public trust and distract attention from legitimate security concerns still facing communities across Imo State.
