Defence sources say women and children fled insurgent hideouts, handed over to Operation HADIN KAI troops for profiling

No fewer than eleven relatives of Boko Haram members surrendered to Nigerian Army troops under Operation HADIN KAI in Bama Local Government Area (LGA), Borno State, on Monday, 24 June. Security analyst Zagazola Makama confirmed that the group, comprising five women and six children from Chongolo and Ladantar villages, turned themselves in at different locations around Banki town.

According to intelligence sources cited by Makama, the first set—four women and four minors from Chongolo village—approached soldiers of the 152 Task Force Battalion. Another woman and two children from Ladantar village separately surrendered at Banki Junction to the 151 Task Force Battalion. The surrender reportedly took place around 6:00 p.m., with all individuals seeking safety away from insurgent enclaves.

Preliminary checks by military personnel indicate that the eleven are immediate family members of active Boko Haram fighters who have been displaced due to ongoing security operations in the region. The North-East has witnessed intensified military action against armed groups in recent months, leading to a rise in surrenders by both combatants and their relatives as at June.

A senior defence source involved in Operation HADIN KAI said that standard procedure involves initial screening and profiling before those surrendering are moved to designated rehabilitation camps. “We continue to encourage those willing to lay down their arms or dissociate from criminal elements to do so without fear of harm,” the officer stated during a phone interview.

The development comes as Borno State authorities intensify efforts to close large camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and reintegrate affected communities. Stakeholders have called for improved support systems for returnees and relatives of insurgents amid concerns over security vetting and long-term reintegration. The Army is expected to brief state officials before deciding on the next phase for those who surrendered.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/relatives-of-boko-haram-terrorists-surrender-to-troops-in-borno/

Initiative partners with Sisters of Jannah and Sana Pads, targets period poverty as bank plans expansion to other states

Baobab Microfinance Bank has completed the first phase of its Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Project in Ilorin, Kwara State, distributing 500 reusable sanitary pads to schoolgirls across two schools on Tuesday. The intervention, carried out in partnership with local NGO Sisters of Jannah (SOJ) and Kano-based manufacturer Sana Pads, aims to address the pressing issue of period poverty which forces many girls to miss classes or drop out entirely.

The bank’s intervention was not a one-off donation but a carefully designed project targeting schools identified through SOJ’s grassroots network within Ilorin. The reusable pads supplied by Sana Pads are intended to provide longer-term relief compared to disposable alternatives, reducing costs for families already struggling with basic needs. The selection of beneficiaries was based on community insight, ensuring support reached girls most at risk of educational disruption due to lack of menstrual hygiene products.

Period poverty remains a widespread problem in Nigeria, especially among adolescent girls from low-income backgrounds who often cannot afford sanitary products. This leads to frequent absenteeism and loss of learning opportunities, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities. By tackling this challenge head-on, Baobab Microfinance Bank is signalling its intention to use its national presence—it operates 38 branches across 16 states—to scale the initiative beyond Kwara State.

Mistura Afolabi, who represented Sisters of Jannah during the distribution exercise, said: “Our work within this community has shown us the daily realities many girls face due to a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. We are proud to have partnered with Baobab Microfinance Bank on this important intervention. Through this collaboration, we ensured that support reached the girls who needed it most. This is how meaningful and lasting change begins.”

Joy Micheal-Oti, Chief Business Development Officer at Baobab Microfinance Bank Nigeria, noted: “At Baobab Microfinance Bank, we believe that every girl deserves the opportunity to learn without interruption. Menstrual health is not a privilege; it is a basic right. This intervention in Ilorin marks the beginning of a broader commitment to addressing period poverty across Nigeria. We are determined to scale this initiative to multiple states and ensure that no girl’s education is disrupted because of a lack of access to menstrual products.”

Barisi Samuels, Social Performance Manager at Baobab Microfinance Bank Nigeria, added: “Executing this project reinforced why this work matters so deeply. Beyond the distribution of sanitary pads, we delivered something even more important: dignity, confidence, and reassurance to these girls that they are seen, valued, and supported. I am proud of what we achieved alongside Sisters of Jannah and Sana Pads and enthusiastic about the future of this initiative.”

While details for Phase Two—including additional beneficiary schools and target states—are yet to be announced by Baobab Microfinance Bank management, stakeholders say groundwork has been laid for broader reach. The bank’s involvement signals growing private sector interest in tackling issues previously left solely to NGOs or government agencies.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/baobab-microfinance-bank-leads-menstrual-hygiene-intervention-in-ilorin-schools-2026062609361002645

Conference of Speakers welcomes National Assembly move, pledges detailed review before state-level adoption

The Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly has commended the National Assembly for passing the bill to establish state police, promising to conduct a comprehensive review before ratifying the legislation at state level. The statement was made on Friday following a meeting held by the speakers’ forum in Abuja.

The group, representing all 36 states, described the passage as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to tackle security challenges and decentralise policing. The bill, which seeks to amend the constitution to allow for creation of state police forces, was approved by both chambers of the National Assembly earlier this week and now awaits endorsement from at least two-thirds of state legislatures.

State police has long been a contentious topic in Nigeria’s political space, with advocates arguing it will empower states to respond more effectively to local security threats. Opponents have raised concerns about possible abuse by state governments and implications for national unity. The Conference of Speakers said their members would subject the bill to thorough scrutiny during legislative processes across all states.

“We recognise the importance of this bill for our country’s security architecture,” said the forum in its official statement after Friday’s meeting. “However, we will ensure that all necessary checks and balances are considered before giving our final approval.” No opposition party reactions were immediately available as at press time.

If ratified by two-thirds of state assemblies, the bill will proceed to President Bola Tinubu for assent. Its implementation could see Nigeria join other federal countries with subnational police structures, potentially reshaping how law enforcement operates nationwide.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/890873-conference-of-speakers-hails-passage-of-state-police-bill-pledge-thorough-review.html