Politics

Brigadier-General, others killed as ISWAP attacks military base

Published

5 days ago

April 10, 2026

A Brigadier-General and other soldiers have been reportedly killed as terrorists suspected to be members of the Islamist militant groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched coordinated overnight attacks on multiple locations in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state.

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters said insurgents attacked a key military base in Benisheikh but were repelled, confirming soldiers were killed while urging the public to wait for formal notification of next of kin before further details.

Fighters attacked the towns of Pulka ⁠and Bakin Ruwa in Gwoza district at about 2130 GMT on Wednesday, before insurgents tried to overrun the headquarters of the 29 Task Force Brigade in Benisheikh at midnight, Defence Headquarters said.

“The troops led by the Commander 29 Brigade, Brigadier-General Oseni Braimah, responded with exceptional courage and superior firepower… and forced (the terrorists) to retreat in disarray,” Defence Headquarters spokesperson Major-General Michael Onoja said, adding that clearance operations were ongoing.

But two military sources told Reuters the Benisheikh base was ‌overrun, ⁠killing Brigadier-General Braimah and other soldiers including a captain, and destroying several military vehicles. Reuters could not independently verify the accounts.

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An officer involved in the Benisheikh reinforcements said air force aircraft evacuated the dead soldiers on Thursday morning after helping to drive out ⁠insurgents who had operated in the area for more than three hours. He said the death toll was still being tallied.

A 17-year Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria has killed thousands ⁠of people and displaced at least 2 million, according to aid groups, despite major military campaigns.

Boko Haram and ISWAP have intensified attacks on military positions in ⁠northeastern Nigeria this year, killing dozens of troops as they continue to exploit the region’s difficult terrain, porous borders, and weak state presence.

Related Topics:Featured ISWAP. Borno State

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Politics

Amb. Yusuff Maitama Tuggar: A leader committed to positive change

Published

6 hours ago

April 15, 2026

News Diggers

By Adebayo Adeoye

No doubt many have lost hope in the nation’s democratic process, but the beauty of democracy can always be restored when the people begin to enjoy the much-needed dividends of good and credible governance. This reality has brought many to the conclusion that the electorate must consciously choose leaders who understand governance and know their onions.

The realities of various protests and public criticism have opened the eyes of many to the urgent need for a new set of individuals who are ready and committed to facilitating positive change. There is a growing demand for a generation of sound minds with the courage to pull the bull by the horns and do the needful to move communities to a place where hope is not only rekindled but dreams are turned into reality.

It is for these reasons that many people increasingly point to Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, an experienced diplomat of high repute and a brilliant mind, as a symbol of hope for a new Bauchi State. This growing public yearning is fueled by his passion for using public service as a viable tool for societal re-engineering, rather than any personal declaration or ambition on his part.

As part of his grassroots advocacy and passion for community building and development, Tuggar, in June last year, expressed sympathy for affected traders and condemned the demolition exercise. He pledged support for their recovery and rebuilding efforts. The demolitions, which affected shops along Kano Road and other parts of the Bauchi metropolis, left thousands of small business owners in despair.

Understanding how pivotal education has become to the wholesome development of human nature, Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar the Minister of Foreign Affairs this January has granted a scholarship to 40 indigent students to study at the Aminu Sale College of Education in Azare, Bauchi State. No doubt upon the completion of their studies they will contribute immensely to the educational advancement of the zone.

In Nigeria, public leadership has long carried an unwritten expectation: that national prominence should never sever local responsibility. Community foundations linked to political figures often serve as informal bridges between state institutions and grassroots needs. Through the Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in Bauchi State appears to reflect this tradition modest in publicity, yet steady in local impact.

Its most visible contribution lies in humanitarian welfare. Periodic distribution of food items, grains, and basic relief materials has provided short-term stability to vulnerable households, particularly in rural communities where inflation, climate pressures, and employment gaps remain acute. Through his intervention on the 15th of December 2024, the ECOWAS Emergency Flood Response supported 850 households across Katagum, Jama’are, Zaki, Gamawa, and Giade local government areas, with a total of 1,000 households benefiting from the initiative. Last he made a personal donation of 20 Million Naira to the same zone to cushion the effects of flooding.

This, among many other actions, has showcased his milk of kindness and deep concern for the welfare of the people.

The current Minister of Foreign Affairs has consistently demonstrated belief in policies and initiatives that have direct impact on the welfare of the people. Many believe that much can be achieved in Bauchi State through proper governance, adequate leadership and effective representation, values he has continued to exemplify in public service. His track record suggests that he would bring governance closer to the grassroots if ever called upon to serve at that level.

Beyond his current role as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tuggar’s career is marked by deep-rooted political heritage, extensive private sector experience in the energy sector, and recent high-level diplomatic achievements.

Indeed, the growing calls for a bright mind like him to lead Bauchi State reflect the people’s desire to move away from recycling mediocrity towards purposeful leadership with clear vision and plans for governance.

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Politics

Yusuf Maitama Tuggar: The man the cap fits

Published

6 hours ago

April 15, 2026

News Diggers

Adebayo Adeoye

In every defining political season, the real question is not simply who can lead, but who fits the moment. In Bauchi State’s unfolding story, many believe Yusuf Maitama Tuggar is that fit — the man the cap sits on with ease and authority.

Leadership, like a cap, is symbolic and weighty. It demands balance, composure and a certain natural bearing. Not every head can carry it without strain. Tuggar, honed by years of public service and diplomatic finesse, wears it with quiet confidence. His demeanor is calm, his rhetoric measured, his vision deliberate.

On the global stage, he cultivated the art of negotiation, consensus-building and strategic engagement. He understands policy not as theory but as a living instrument for development. That rare fusion of international exposure and local awareness positions him uniquely in a state eager for growth and renewed direction.

Yet beyond résumé and reputation lies temperament. Tuggar’s strength is not in political theatrics but in thoughtful engagement. In an era where volume often substitutes for value, he represents depth over display, strategy over slogans.

Bauchi stands at a crossroads — rich in agricultural promise, blessed with youthful energy and hungry for investment-driven transformation. What it requires is steady, purposeful leadership. Tuggar’s outlook aligns with those aspirations, offering a vision rooted in structure, sustainability and inclusive progress.

Politics

Beyond Protocol: The Tuggar Effect on Nigeria’s Global Standing

Published

6 hours ago

April 15, 2026

News Diggers

Adebayo Adeoye

Less than three years after stepping into office as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has steadily carved a distinct imprint on the nation’s diplomatic landscape. In a world increasingly defined by shifting alliances, economic realignments and delicate geopolitical balances, he has proven himself, beyond rhetoric, to be a round peg in a round hole.

From the very beginning, Ambassador Tuggar approached the ministry not merely as an administrative responsibility, but as a strategic command centre for Nigeria’s global engagement. With an intellect sharpened by experience and a temperament grounded in composure, he has brought clarity and coherence to Nigeria’s foreign policy direction. His style is not loud, yet it resonates. It is measured, yet firm. It is thoughtful, yet decisive.

In multilateral corridors and bilateral negotiations alike, Tuggar has showcased the fine balance between diplomacy and national interest. He speaks with precision, listens with intent, and negotiates with foresight. Under his watch, Nigeria’s voice has not only been heard — it has been respected. From strengthening regional partnerships within Africa to redefining economic diplomacy as a core pillar of engagement, he has demonstrated that foreign policy is not an abstract exercise; it is a tool for national development.