Latest news with #BabaganaZulum
The Print
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
At least 20,000 flee insurgency-hit town in Nigeria, governor says
Borno state governor Babagana Zulum visited Marte, which is close to the border with Cameroon, to assess the security situation and meet military officials there. Borno state has witnessed an upsurge in attacks by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) assailants this year, raising concerns that the militants are making gains again after years of intense attacks by the military. By Ahmed Kingimi MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) -At least 20,000 people have fled Marte town following increasing attacks by Islamist militants in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, its governor has said, four years after residents returned to the town that was once controlled by insurgents. His visit followed a raid on Marte's army base last week in which militants temporarily overran the installation. At least five soldiers were killed and others went missing in the attack. 'Marte was resettled about four years ago, but unfortunately, over the last three days, it was ransacked and was displaced again,' Zulum told reporters on Sunday. 'About 20,000 people left Marte for Dikwa (town).' Zulum, who also visited Rann, another town where an army base was attacked last week, will on Monday head to Kalawa Balge district where 23 farmers were killed by suspected militants. At least two million people have been displaced and thousands killed by the insurgency in Nigeria in the last 16 years, according to humanitarian groups. Zulum's state government resettled residents in Marte as part of a programme to shut camps for Internally Displaced Persons in Borno capital Maiduguri and upheld the plan as a model for other towns previously controlled by insurgents. But many Marte residents now fear that their lives could be upended again if attacks continue. Boko Haram and Islamic State-backed ISWAP have been adapting their tactics, including using drones for surveillance, security analysts and the military say. Zulum said leaving residents to live in a camp in Dikwa town was a big threat as it would leave young men 'vulnerable to recruitment by insurgents.' (Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe, Editing by William Maclean) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Officials declare national emergency after staple crops begin to fail across key regions: 'Our fertile lands are turning to dust'
Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu, did not mince words about his nation's future during a regional conference in the nation's capital. According to reports by Enviro News Nigeria, the president declared a national emergency on food security. The sixth annual African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage was held in April 2025, and officials in attendance highlighted concerns about water management in the future. Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State, a region in northeast Nigeria that borders Chad, spoke plainly, "Our fertile lands are turning to dust. Irrigation is now a necessity, not a luxury." Nigeria does not lack water. According to a research paper published in late 2024, it has the most freshwater resources on the continent. However, a combination of industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and domestic sewage taints this precious resource. Rising global temperatures and the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events compound these problems. The continued use of dirty energy is exacerbating rising global temperatures and extreme weather, making it more difficult for farmers to yield successful harvests. As a result, food shortages are a direct result of the overheating of our planet. What's more, according to the UN, Nigeria is one of the world's fastest-growing nations and is projected to eclipse the United States as the world's third-most populous nation by 2050. Unlike most other countries, Nigeria's fertility rate is far above the replacement rate of five births per woman. However, this growth is unevenly applied, and the poorer rural region in the north is leading this population boom. As the Economist reports, the fertility rate in Katsina state is mind-boggling at 7.4. Suffice it to say, feeding that massive population with dwindling resources will be a huge future challenge. Without drastic intervention, food insecurity could escalate into a major humanitarian crisis. Attendees at the conference are looking for innovative solutions to the problem, and researchers have called for stronger regulations and education to carve a better path forward. Adopting more sustainable agricultural practices like no-till farming has already shown some promise in South Africa. Similarly, Nigeria may also take notes from its neighbors. Farmers in Cameroon are reaping the benefits of using traditional, sustainable farming methods. In the long term, ditching polluting dirty energy in favor of clean renewable sources like wind and solar will also help mitigate the problem. Should the government be allowed to restrict how much water we use? Definitely Only during major droughts No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Daily Maverick
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
At least 20,000 flee insurgency-hit town in Nigeria, governor says
Borno state has witnessed an upsurge in attacks by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) assailants this year, raising concerns that the militants are making gains again after years of intense attacks by the military. Borno state governor Babagana Zulum visited Marte, which is close to the border with Cameroon, to assess the security situation and meet military officials there. His visit followed a raid on Marte's army base last week in which militants temporarily overran the installation. At least five soldiers were killed and others went missing in the attack. 'Marte was resettled about four years ago, but unfortunately, over the last three days, it was ransacked and was displaced again,' Zulum told reporters on Sunday. 'About 20,000 people left Marte for Dikwa (town).' Zulum, who also visited Rann, another town where an army base was attacked last week, will on Monday head to Kalawa Balge district where 23 farmers were killed by suspected militants. At least two million people have been displaced and thousands killed by the insurgency in Nigeria in the last 16 years, according to humanitarian groups. Zulum's state government resettled residents in Marte as part of a programme to shut camps for Internally Displaced Persons in Borno capital Maiduguri and upheld the plan as a model for other towns previously controlled by insurgents. But many Marte residents now fear that their lives could be upended again if attacks continue. Boko Haram and Islamic State-backed ISWAP have been adapting their tactics, including using drones for surveillance, security analysts and the military say. Zulum said leaving residents to live in a camp in Dikwa town was a big threat as it would leave young men 'vulnerable to recruitment by insurgents.'
TimesLIVE
19-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
At least 20,000 flee insurgency-hit town in Nigeria, says governor
At least 20,000 people have fled Marte town following increasing attacks by Islamist militants in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, its governor has said, four years after residents returned to the town that was once controlled by insurgents. Borno state has witnessed an upsurge in attacks by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) assailants this year, raising concerns that the militants are making gains again after years of intense attacks by the military. Borno state governor Babagana Zulum visited Marte, which is close to the border with Cameroon, to assess the security situation and meet military officials there. His visit followed a raid on Marte's army base last week in which militants temporarily overran the installation. At least five soldiers were killed and others went missing in the attack. "Marte was resettled about four years ago, but unfortunately, over the last three days, it was ransacked and was displaced again," Zulum told reporters on Sunday. "About 20,000 people left Marte for Dikwa."
Reuters
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
At least 20,000 flee insurgency-hit town in Nigeria, governor says
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, May 19 (Reuters) - At least 20,000 people have fled Marte town following increasing attacks by Islamist militants in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, its governor has said, four years after residents returned to the town that was once controlled by insurgents. Borno state has witnessed an upsurge in attacks, opens new tab by suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) assailants this year, raising concerns that the militants are making gains again after years of intense attacks by the military. Borno state governor Babagana Zulum visited Marte, which is close to the border with Cameroon, to assess the security situation and meet military officials there. His visit followed a raid on Marte's army base last week in which militants temporarily overran the installation. At least five soldiers were killed and others went missing in the attack. "Marte was resettled about four years ago, but unfortunately, over the last three days, it was ransacked and was displaced again," Zulum told reporters on Sunday. "About 20,000 people left Marte for Dikwa (town)." Zulum, who also visited Rann, another town where an army base was attacked last week, will on Monday head to Kalawa Balge district where 23 farmers were killed by suspected militants. At least two million people have been displaced and thousands killed by the insurgency in Nigeria in the last 16 years, according to humanitarian groups. Zulum's state government resettled residents in Marte as part of a programme to shut camps for Internally Displaced Persons in Borno capital Maiduguri and upheld the plan as a model for other towns previously controlled by insurgents. But many Marte residents now fear that their lives could be upended again if attacks continue. Boko Haram and Islamic State-backed ISWAP have been adapting their tactics, including using drones for surveillance, security analysts and the military say. Zulum said leaving residents to live in a camp in Dikwa town was a big threat as it would leave young men "vulnerable to recruitment by insurgents."
