Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recovered 56 improvised explosive devices, IEDs, planted by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, on the Marte–Dikwa bridge in Borno State.

The discovery was made during a clearance patrol by soldiers of the 24 Brigade in Dikwa, effectively foiling what could have been a devastating attack targeting both military and civilian movement along the strategic route.

According to a post on Friday by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X, the IEDs were strategically buried at key points along the bridge by ISWAP militants with the intent to cause mass casualties and disrupt movement in the area.

Military sources said the swift detection and removal of the explosives prevented what could have resulted in significant loss of lives and property.

The Marte–Dikwa axis remains a known hotspot for insurgent activity, with troops sustaining aggressive clearance and security operations to neutralize threats and ensure safe passage for both residents and personnel.

Efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators and dismantle any remaining IED networks operating in the region.

Women in Borno State have called for the reservation of political seats for women at state and federal levels to enhance female participation in governance.

The demand was made on Thursday during a consultative meeting of women advocacy groups in Maiduguri, ahead of the North-East zonal public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution.

Chairperson of the Women Political Participation Working Group, Aisha Abubakar, said a bill proposing dedicated seats for women has been prepared and will be presented at the hearing.

“The bill seeks to create exclusive seats for women, enabling them to contest in a more level political environment,” she said. “Competing with men is often difficult due to political, social, and economic challenges.”

She noted that with Borno having 27 local government areas and 28 members in the State House of Assembly, additional seats could be added specifically for women. The same approach, she said, could be applied at the federal level by creating an extra senatorial seat in the state for female candidates.

Umar Dan’Assabe, Senior Programme Manager for Elections at Kimpact Development Initiative, described the bill as timely and essential for inclusive governance.

“Women make up 47.5 percent of Nigeria’s voting population but are grossly underrepresented,” he said. “There are only four female senators out of 109, that’s unacceptable.”

He explained that the bill proposes one reserved seat each for women in the Senate and House of Representatives, and three in the State House of Assembly for Borno.

Falmata Lawan, Director of Women Affairs and Gender at the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, commended the initiative and reaffirmed the state government’s support for gender inclusivity.

The Ogun State Executive Council, on Wednesday, approved the reconstruction of more roads across the state, as Governor Dapo Abiodun reiterated his commitment to consistent infrastructural development across the State.

This was made known during the weekly meeting of the council.

The newly approved roads include:The 5.4 km Ogbeere – Orita Mobi Junction Road at Ijebu East Local Government, 3.2km Erinlu – Imosan Road in
Odogbolu Local Government and 2.0km Imodi – Imosan Road also in Odogbolu Local Government.

Also, the government gave approval for the procurement of ultra-modern security gadgets to strengthen the state’s security architecture and safeguard infrastructure across the state.

Meanwhile , Governor Abiodun has commended the degree of job done at the Onijaganjagan Independent Power plant, promising the people of Abeokuta and it’s environs regular power supply soonest.

It will be recalled that the Governor recently approved the reconstruction of eleven new roads across the state.

The roads are: 9.2km Akute Bridge to Agbado (Lateef Jakande) Train Terminal/Pass/Agbado Bridge, 5.5km Iperu Junction to Ilishan Roundabout (Gateway International Airport Road),4km Imasayi-Igan Okoto-Ayetoro Road, Phase 2B and 3km Imasayi (end of Phase 1) to Igan Okoto, Phase 2A.

Others are the 3.8km Gao Junction to Ibiade Road – 3.8 km, 2.75km Abeokuta Obalende-Ijebu Ode Road , 1.1km Osinubi New Road (Araromi Street), Ijebu Ode, 0.85km Tam Balogun, Ijebu Ode;2.93km Federal College Road, Odogbolu; 2.8km General Hospital – Aferiku, Ipokia, and 1.7km Oke Erinja to Erinja to Ilobi Road, Phase 2.