An army Captain and a soldier have been killed by Boko Haram terrorists in a midnight attack on Izge community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State

According to the Emir of Gwoza, Mohammed Shehu Timta, the attack happened around 1 am on Wednesday when the terrorists infiltrated the farming community, shooting sporadically before the personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces with the assistance of local hunters, vigilantes and members of the civilian Joint Task Force repelled the terrorists, killing three of them while recovering items from the fleeing terrorists

Several motorcycles, bicycles, an operational vehicle and a sophisticated rifle, all belonging to the terrorists were recovered.

Speaking to Channels Television Wednesday morning, the traditional ruler commended the military, men of the Civilian Joint Task Force, Local hunters, vigilantes and the resilient community of Izge for their collaborative efforts in repelling the attack while praying for the repose of the souls of the departed military personnel and their family during this irreparable loss.

He also called on urgent step by the Federal Government to address the renewed attacks, as people prepare for this year’s farming season.

“My people in Izge community came under Boko Haram invasion today at about 1am. Unfortunately, a Captain and a Soldier paid the supreme price. But in a brave and swift reaction from the military, men of the Civilian Joint Task Force, Local hunters, vigilantes and the resilient community the attack was repelled with killing of three terrorists.

“As the community is still trailing the terrorists, over 10 bicycles, motorcycles, one sized military vehicle and one sophisticated rifle with ammunition were recovered from the terrorists.

“Let me commend our military forces, other security agencies, men of CJTF, local hunters and vigilantes and our resilient people for their bravery, because as I speak, many people are still in the bush combing the whereabouts of the fleeing terrorists.

“Let me equally commend our passionate governor, Professor Babagana Zulum for his relentless efforts in providing enabling resources to the security agencies and our CJTF members in the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists which has brought about relative peace and resettlement of many displaced people back to their ancestral homes.

“I want to equally call on the federal government to equip our security forces with technological warfare/weapons to defeat the remnants of Boko Haram members terrorising our communities almost on daily basis”.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has banned the sale of alcoholic beverages while accusing military and other security personnel of promoting criminality and antisocial vices in Maiduguri and its environs.

The Governor said that ex and current serving personnel of the Nigerian security forces have played a significant role in influencing the civilian populace into criminality, radicalism, prostitution and other vices, heightening terrorism threats in the state.

The governor said this on Tuesday at the inauguration of a reconstituted committee on “revocation of illegal hotels, brothels, shanties, and criminal hideouts and curbing the menace of antisocial vices” at the council chambers of the government house in Maiduguri.

“I am happy to know that army officers are here, especially the military, police, and others are here because most of these activities were committed by whom? Some of them are dismissed army officers, dismissed security officers, current army officers, men and officers, including civilians.

“So, there should be no sacred cow in this matter if we want the Maiduguri metropolis and indeed the state to get rid of insurgency, terrorism and other sorts of criminalities,” Zulum said.

In the brief event, the Zulum reconstituted and re-empowered the committee to purge the state of all forms of criminality and antisocial vices in the Maiduguri metropolis and surrounding environments.

The ban on sales and consumption of liquor and alcoholic contents, according to the governor, stems from the rising cases of clashes among rival groups, cultism, prostitution, drug abuse, thuggery and theft, which have led to loss of lives and valuables.

The governor co-opted the military, police, civil defence, and several other security agencies, including the civilian JTF, to join the committee for a holistic approach.

Acknowledging the task before the reconstituted committee, the co-chair decried the deteriorating internal security in Maiduguri and outlined the committee’s immediate line of action.

With the liquor embargo and the demolition of hotels and infrastructures identified as harbouring criminal activities, it is yet to be seen if this decision will affect internal revenue in the state amidst the controversies surrounding the tax reform bill before the national assembly, which the Borno State Governor and notable leaders from the state have championed.

The Federal Government has set up a committee to carry out major changes to the National Youth Service Corps.

This decision followed rising concerns about the safety of corps members, poor facilities, and whether the NYSC still fits into today’s social and economic realities.

The inauguration of the committee happened in Abuja on Tuesday, with key people from government, civil society, and private businesses in attendance.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the NYSC has played an important role in building national unity and helping young people since 1973.

He said, “The issues of corps members’ safety, infrastructural challenges, and the broader question of the scheme’s relevance in an increasingly dynamic socio-economic environment are among the key concerns. However, these challenges also present opportunities that require urgent, visionary, and determined action.”

Olawande said the committee will look into how NYSC works and suggest ways to make it safer, more creative, and more impactful.

“The outcome of this review must align with broader national development objectives, positioning the NYSC as a strategic tool for youth empowerment and nation-building,” he added.

The committee will review current NYSC policies, talk to people across the country and suggest changes to laws, policies, and how the scheme is run.

It will also come up with better ways to fund, track and improve the NYSC.

The final report will be submitted to the minister within a set time.

Also at the event, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the government planned to start a Teachers’ Corps and a Medical Corps.

These will be for NCE graduates and healthcare workers ready to serve in rural areas.

Alausa explained, “The Teachers’ Corps would help bridge educational gaps and create a pathway to government employment, while the Medical Corps would strengthen healthcare delivery in underserved areas, addressing critical issues such as maternal and child health.”

The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Usman, stressed the need to improve technical and vocational skills training.

“Such alignment would empower young people to make meaningful, long-term contributions to their communities and to the nation as a whole,” Usman said.