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Boko Haram In Control Of My Constituency, Others …Borno Rep Member Cries Out
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon Ahmadu Jaha representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency in Borno State has revealed that contrary to the claims by the Federal Government, Boko Haram fighters were still in control of his constituency.
The lawmaker said that about 27 electoral wards out of 33 wards in his constituency were under the control of the insurgents.
The lawmaker made the claim while speaking on a motion moved by the Chief Whip of the House, Hon Muhammed Mongonu, who is also from Borno State.
“Some number of geographical locations in Borno State and other insurgency related areas are under the occupation of Boko Haram.
“Let’s take for instance, in a local government that has 13 electoral wards like my own Gwoza, only three or four are not under the occupation of Boko Haram. In Chibok, I have 10 electoral wards, only two are not under the occupation of Boko Haram. In Damboa, I have 10 electoral wards, only one is not under the occupation of Boko Haram. This is as far as Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency is concerned.”
He added that in Borno North, eight local governments out of 10 were under the control of the Islamists.
“The same thing, the chief whip to the House can bear me witness, out of the ten local governments in northern Borno, only two local governments and it is only their headquarters, are still not under the occupation of Boko Haram.”
He was, however, stopped by a point of order by James Faleke, who asked him to restrict the debate to the motion which deals with funding for the military.
However, the Zamfara State Police Command has suspended all forms of meetings, procession, partying and unlawful gatherings considering the alleged threats by the elements of Boko Haram to unleash terror attacks on seven local government areas of Zamfara State.
According to the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Muhammed Shehu, due to the prevailing security situation, coupled with the threat by Boko Haram and other criminal elements to destabilise the relative peace being enjoyed in the state, the Zamfara State Police Command has warned that all hands must be on deck to normalise the current security concern.
“Consequently, all forms of meetings, processions, partying and all forms of gatherings by all manners of people in the state are hereby banned until further notice,” the police spokesman warned.
He noted that the command seeks for continued support and cooperation of all and sundry to prevent the calamity, saying that security is the responsibility of everybody.
The state Commissioner of Police, Usman Nagogo, explained that the people of Zamfara State deserve a secured environment that would boost the socio-economic situation of the state.
Shehu appealed to the citizens to endeavour to report any suspected movement of person or persons to the nearest security agency for immediate action.
Meanwhile, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Gen Olusegun Adeniyi, yesterday, urged troops of the Nigerian Army, to give final push to end Boko Haram insurgency in North-East.
He gave the charge while addressing men of the Operation Lafiya Dole Sector 2 Command, Damaturu, Yobe.
“There is no better time than now to do it; this is the time to allow our country rest from the menace of Boko Haram.
“You should be ruthless with Boko Haram and anybody supporting Boko Haram, you should show no pity, let there be no excuses.
“I know you can do it, you know you can do it and the army headquarters knows you can do it,” he said.
He said commanders would be leading from the front.
“In Maiduguri, l am leading from the front, you should follow your commanders who will be leading from the front,” he said.
The commander insisted that Boko Haram must be defeated.
“Your strong courage should stamp out Boko Haram,” he said.
Similarly, fighter jets from the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) Air Task Force (ATF) of anti-terror Operation Lafiya Dole have bombarded a building used as a warehouse by Boko Haram terrorist in Borno State, the Air Force said, yesterday.
The buildings located at Abulam, a settlement on the fringes of the Allagarno forest, in Borno State, was being used terrorists to store their supplies and other resources, according to the NAF.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, who made this known in a statement, said that: “Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack aircraft detailed by the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole have destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) Camp at Abulam, a settlement on the fringes of the Allagarno Forest, in Borno State.
“The operation was executed on September 22, 2019 after series of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions revealed that some buildings within the settlement were being used by the terrorists to store their supplies and other resources.
“The ATF, therefore, dispatched helicopter gunships and ground attack aircraft to engage the location in successive strikes, scoring devastating hits on the target area leading to destruction of several of the buildings and neutralization of their BHT occupants.
“The NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, will sustain its efforts to completely destroy all remnants of the terrorists in the North-East.”
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.