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Boko Haram Kills 11 In Yobe, 17 In Chad …Takes Over Highways In Damaturu
Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Barr Kenneth Kobani (left) conferring with Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Emma Aguma (SAN),during inauguration of CTC Chairmen ceremony at Government House Port Harcourt ast Friday
Suspected members of the Boko Haram terrorist group have attacked Gamdu town in Yobe State, killing 11 residents and taking over Damaturu-Maiduguri highway.
Gamdu is a commercial and agricultural settlement along Damaturu-Maiduguri highway and is located 35 kilometres east of Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State.
A resident of Gamdu town, Mallam Bukar Gamdu, told newsmen yesterday that the militants came to town in the midnight of Friday and carried out some killings.
“The attackers came in the night and killed people of our community and as the day breaks, we counted eleven inhabitants killed in the dastard act,” Gamdu said.
Apart from the killings that were carried out on Friday night, Gamdu said the insurgents had formed the habit of mounting temporary road blocks on the busy Damaturu-Maiduguri highway to terrorise people travelling on the road.
Another traveller on the security-threaten road, who asked not to be mentioned, said “travellers often wait for each other to move in long convoy for fear of attack”, and called for more security patrol along the road.
He also confirmed that the insurgents had by noon on Saturday blocked the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway which lasted for several minutes, as several vehicles had to stop at nearby villages to avoid the attackers who were later chased away by security forces.
“We were travelling from Damaturu to Maiduguri in a long convoy and luckily security operatives on patrol were leading the convoy and suddenly we had a loud sound and the security men immediately had a stopover and run into the bush.
“We later heard that they sighted the insurgents who were strategising to mount a road block. We stayed there for over an hour and the security operatives later returned and we continue the journey but no one knows what really transpired between them and the insurgents deep in the bush,” he explained.
The traveller called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the relevant authorities to step up efforts towards ending the insurgency which had held back development in the two states and the north-east in general.
Some travellers from Maiduguri to Damaturu told newsmen in Damaturu on Saturday afternoon that several cars along the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway around Benesheiehk, the headquarters of Kaga Local Government Area, were set ablaze by the insurgents, as at the time they were plying the route.
Boko Haram attacks on innocent people in Borno and Yobe States are gradually on the rise, with wide spread cases of suicide bombings, attacks on communities, places of worship and areas believed to have crowds.
President Buhari had, during his inaugural address on the May 29, assured Nigerians that his “administration will fight and subdue the militants,” the Boko Haram.
Despite the assurance by the President, the terrorist group, which had lost some of the territories it had captured to heightened counter-terrorism operations by Nigerian Armed Forces, have intensified attacks, killing over 300 persons since May 29.
Meanwhile, a Boko Haram suicide bombing in a crowded market in Chad’s capital has killed 17 people on Saturday, just days after the militant group claimed a previous bombing in the city that left 38 people dead.
The attack in N’Djamena, by a man disguised as a woman in a full-face veil, came after a botched bombing in Maiduguri, Borno State, which killed two pedestrians.
The attacks underlined the threat still posed by the militants in the region, despite the authorities’ claims of recent military successes and with a new regional force set to deploy at the end of the month.
Police Director-General, Taher Erda said the N’Djamena bomber detonated his explosives belt when he was stopped for security checks at the entrance to the market.
Chad banned the full-face veil, ramped up security measures and bombed militant positions in Nigeria last month after the first ever Boko Haram attack in its capital.
The provisional toll on Saturday was 15 dead and 80 injured, four of them seriously, said police spokesman, Paul Manga.
Nine of the victims were female traders and one was a police officer, he added. An AFP correspondent there described a gruesome scene of carnage and pools of blood.
The area, in the heart of the capital, was cordoned off by security forces after the attack at about 8:45am (0745 GMT), and a police source said there was “no doubt it was Boko Haram”.
Prime Minister Kalzeube Pahimi Deubet called a crisis meeting to discuss the attack.
Foreign Minister of Chad’s former colonial masters France, Laurent Fabius, called the bombing “despicable”.
Experts said the latest bombing in Chad, following previous strikes in Niger and repeated targeting of northern Cameroon, showed the need for a joined-up solution involving Nigeria and its neighbours.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.