Nigeria News (Standard)
Borno Stakeholders Reject Kaigama Group’s Claim of Rescuing 416 Ngoshe Abductees
Ngoshe community leaders in Gwoza LGA say they did not authorise or recognise group led by Samaila Kaigama
Ngoshe community leaders in Gwoza LGA say they did not authorise or recognise group led by Samaila Kaigama
Stakeholders and representatives of the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State, have firmly denied claims by the Kaigama group that it facilitated the rescue of 416 abducted persons from Boko Haram captivity on Monday, 3 April 2026. The denial was made public at a press conference in Maiduguri on Tuesday, where community leaders disassociated themselves from the self-styled ‘Borno South Youth Alliance’, headed by Samaila Kaigama.
Professor Suleiman Bello, Chairman of the Ngoshe Stakeholders Forum (NSF), addressed journalists to clarify that neither he nor any recognised body from Ngoshe had ever authorised or mandated the Kaigama group to act or speak on behalf of their people. He insisted that the group is unknown to the community and has no legitimacy to represent their interests. “Their claims are entirely false and misleading. We urge the general public to disregard these statements,” Bello said.
The controversy arose after Samaila Kaigama issued several public statements alleging that his group negotiated for the release of 416 abductees from Ngoshe who were held by Boko Haram insurgents. The matter has gained attention due to the sensitive nature of mass abductions in Borno State and ongoing efforts by both government and humanitarian actors to secure freedom for victims across North-East Nigeria.
According to Professor Bello, the official rescue and reintegration processes are always coordinated by government agencies in partnership with legitimate community representatives—not private groups acting independently. “We are grateful for every effort that leads to our people’s freedom, but we cannot allow misinformation or unauthorised groups to take credit for what is not theirs,” he added.
No official statement had been issued by security agencies regarding the purported role of the Kaigama group in any recent rescue operation as at press time. Stakeholders from Ngoshe called on relevant authorities to verify all claims related to abductions and rescues, emphasising the importance of accurate information for affected families. Further updates are expected as government continues its efforts to secure lasting peace and stability in Gwoza LGA and other parts of Borno State.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Abuja Women Leaders Push Cross-Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Female Influence in Decision-Making
Senior figures from law, health, finance and government meet in FCT to demand shift from token representation to real power
Senior figures from law, health, finance and government meet in FCT to demand shift from token representation to real power
Women leaders from various sectors gathered in Abuja on Tuesday for the Women in Leadership Cross-Sector Convening, urging a united approach to boost women’s presence and influence in national decision-making. The event brought together senior and emerging professionals from law, health, finance, agriculture, government and civil society to tackle barriers limiting female leadership across Nigeria.
Key speakers at the conference included Organisation Effectiveness Consultant Habiba Balogun; WILAN Global Founder and Executive Director Abosede George-Ogan; Regional Director for Africa Centre For International Private Enterprise Lola Adekanye; and Founder of Will Way Paradigm Dolapo Agbede. They stressed the importance of breaking down sector-based silos and building strategic alliances to ensure women move beyond symbolic roles to actively shaping policies and institutional cultures at every level.
This call for collaboration comes as gender parity remains a challenge in Nigeria’s public and private sectors. Despite increased advocacy for female participation, women are still underrepresented in leadership positions. The Abuja convening provided a platform for participants to share strategies on fostering systemic change rather than settling for mere inclusion. Speakers highlighted that sustainable national growth requires women not just occupying seats at the table but also contributing meaningfully to decisions that affect society.
“Women must be empowered to influence outcomes at the highest levels,” said Habiba Balogun during her address at the event. Other panellists echoed this sentiment, noting that bridging divides between industries will accelerate progress towards gender equity nationwide.
Participants resolved to strengthen networks between professional bodies, advocacy groups and policymakers in order to drive reforms that support women’s advancement. The organisers indicated that follow-up sessions will focus on practical measures for implementation, aiming to translate discussions into actionable policy changes affecting governance and business practices.
Nigeria News (Standard)
NSE Inducts 214 Engineers as Fellows in Abuja, Urges Federal Government to Address Soaring Cost of Living
NSE President Ali Alimasuya Rabiu calls for urgent action on insecurity and economic hardship during induction ceremony
NSE President Ali Alimasuya Rabiu calls for urgent action on insecurity and economic hardship during induction ceremony
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) inducted 214 engineers into its Fellowship cadre during the Second Quarter Dinner held in Abuja on Tuesday. The event, which brought together leading professionals from across the country, saw NSE President Ali Alimasuya Rabiu task the Federal Government with taking decisive measures to tackle Nigeria’s rising cost of living and escalating insecurity.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rabiu emphasised that government must prioritise the safety and welfare of citizens amid persistent economic hardship and a surge in criminal activities such as kidnappings nationwide. His remarks were contained in a statement signed by the Society’s Acting Executive Secretary, Abdulkadir Aliyu, and made available to journalists in Abuja.
The induction comes at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with inflation and job losses, with official figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showing double-digit inflation for several consecutive months. Analysts have linked the current economic hardship to factors including naira depreciation and reduced purchasing power, further straining households across all geopolitical zones.
Rabiu reaffirmed NSE’s commitment to supporting national development efforts through collaboration with government, academia, industry players and other stakeholders. He stated: “The current situation demands stronger cooperation among all sectors so we can find sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.” The NSE president also warned that failure to address insecurity would undermine progress in all other areas.
While the Federal Government has announced new social intervention programmes in recent months, critics say more comprehensive policies are needed to reverse worsening living conditions. The newly inducted fellows are expected to contribute their expertise toward tackling these national challenges as part of their professional mandate.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Rainstorm Kills Two, Destroys Houses in Kirfi LGA, Bauchi State
Police confirm deaths of woman and granddaughter as storm ravages Katsinawa, Bara Village, leaving residents homeless
Police confirm deaths of woman and granddaughter as storm ravages Katsinawa, Bara Village, leaving residents homeless
A powerful rainstorm swept through Katsinawa, Bara Village in Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Wednesday morning, claiming the lives of a 50-year-old woman, Aisha Sagir, and her four-year-old granddaughter, Aisha Shuaibu. The incident occurred at about 10:00 a.m. on June 10, according to the Bauchi State Police Command.
Residents said the rainstorm was accompanied by strong winds that brought down several houses and destroyed livestock and other valuables worth millions of naira. The destruction has left many families displaced as they struggle to salvage what remains of their property in the aftermath of the storm.
Bauchi State is currently in its rainy season, and communities like Katsinawa often face severe weather events that threaten lives and livelihoods. The latest tragedy highlights ongoing concerns over inadequate infrastructure and disaster preparedness in rural parts of North-East Nigeria.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, SP Nafiu Abubakar, spokesperson for the command, confirmed that officers from Kirfi Division had visited the scene to assess the damage and maintain order among affected residents. “Preliminary reports indicate significant loss of property and two fatalities,” Abubakar said. He added that the command had sent a message of sympathy to the state government and assured residents of continued security presence.
As at press time, emergency relief agencies were yet to release an official response or announce plans for support to those affected by the disaster. Community leaders have called on both state authorities and relevant agencies to provide urgent assistance for displaced families. The incident comes as meteorological agencies continue to warn about heavy rainfall patterns across Bauchi State during this period.
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