metro
Farmer-herder crisis: Cooperative to establish ranches in 774 LGs
Farmer-herder crisis: Cooperative to establish ranches in 774 LGs
The National Agricultural Mechanisation Cooperative of Nigeria (NAMCON) has disclosed plans to establish cattle ranches in the 774 local governments across Nigeria.
According to the National President of the cooperative, NAMCON, Dr Aliyu Waziri, the move is part of sustained efforts to modernise livestock production in the country, bolster value-addition and address the persistent clashes between farmers and herders.
He spoke with journalists in Kaduna adding that the ranches would be provided with adequate animal feeds, mega dams and an array of features of world-class equipment, thereby ensuring herders and their livestock have no cause to migrate in search of water and food.
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He said the ranches would be adequately equipped with clinics, western and Islamic schools and other necessary infrastructure.
Waziri said, “These ranches will be fully equipped for both rainy and dry season farming activities for the sustained production of food as this is very crucial to boosting food security, jobs creation, poverty eradication and jerking off Nigeria’s foreign reserves.”
The ranches, he said, would also have plantations of various economic trees like mango, guava and cashew.
He said, “The gesture will also greatly help in combating the recurring herder-farmer clashes in the country.”
Waziri maintained that the goal of the cooperative was to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector through mechanization and empowerment programs.
He recalled that in November 2021, NAMCON empowered 15 million farmers, especially women and young people, on farm mechanisation.
He then urged the government to explore the agricultural sector’s hidden potential to address unemployment and food security.
Farmer-herder crisis: Cooperative to establish ranches in 774 LGs
metro
Ogun police busts child trafficking syndicate, arrests 3 suspects
Ogun police busts child trafficking syndicate, arrests 3 suspects
The Ogun State Police Command has successfully dismantled a child trafficking syndicate led by a suspect known as Mama Faith, who is currently detained at the Ibara Correctional Centre.
Three other individuals—ThankGod Taiwo (35), Patience Chikezie (54), and Oluyinka Folake (43)—were arrested in connection with the illegal activities.
During a press briefing on Monday, January 6, 2025, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, paraded the suspects at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
Taiwo was apprehended at his hideout after abducting a seven-year-old girl, Mercy Akande. He sold the child to Chikezie for N650,000 at Ipaja Roundabout in Lagos.
Chikieze, arrested on 29 December at Lafenwa-Itele, led police to her residence, where the child was rescued unhurt.
According to the CP, Chikieze confessed that her buyer rejected Mercy because of her age.
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Further investigations revealed that Chikieze had previously purchased a three-year-old boy, Mohees Daniel, for N250,000 and sold him for N3 million.
Chikieze also allegedly bought another child, David Jesulayomi, from Oluyinka for N1.5 million, which she attempted to sell for profit.
Both children were recovered, along with fake adoption agreements issued by Chikieze.
“She created a WhatsApp group named Prema Consult to lure unsuspecting adopters under the guise of legal child adoption,” the CP explained.
“She and her accomplices, including Taiwo and Folake, confessed to working for Mama Faith, who orchestrated the illegal operations.”
CP Ogunlowo, who assumed office three weeks ago, warned criminals in the state to desist from illegal activities or face the full weight of the law.
He urged residents to support the police with timely intelligence to combat crime effectively.
Speaking to newsmen, Chikezie, a mother of two, confessed to the crime and begged for forgiveness.
“It’s not right. I have offended man and God. I plead for mercy.”
Ogun police busts child trafficking syndicate, arrests 3 suspects
metro
46 kidnapped in Zamfara as gunmen attack Gana town
46 kidnapped in Zamfara as gunmen attack Gana town
No fewer than 46 individuals, including women and children, have been abducted in Gana town, Zamfara State, during a violent attack on Sunday night.
Residents reported that the incident occurred around 10 p.m. when dozens of gunmen on motorcycles stormed the community, setting fire to homes and businesses.
Although authorities are yet to release an official statement, a traditional leader, Alhaji Garba Haure, confirmed the incident to Reuters, describing the scale of destruction and the trauma experienced by the affected residents.
“We have 46 men, women and children that have been abducted altogether, and are still counting,” Haure said.
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He said the quick intervention of government security forces prevented the assailants from setting the entire town ablaze, adding that no life was lost in the attack.
But another resident, Bala Harauma, told Reuters that the actual number of abducted people could be higher.
“Six people managed to escape while the armed gang moved the captives in the early hours of Monday,” Harauma said.
Another resident, Yusuf Mohammed, explained that the bandits set ablaze dozens of houses and silos containing foodstuff.
The Northwest has been experiencing a severe security crisis, with terrorist and bandit groups wreaking havoc on local communities.
These groups have been responsible for a multitude of violent attacks, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread kidnappings.
46 kidnapped in Zamfara as gunmen attack Gana town
metro
Six soldiers killed, 34 terrorists eliminated in Borno troops, ISWAP clash
Six soldiers killed, 34 terrorists eliminated in Borno troops, ISWAP clash
The Defence Headquarters on Wednesday confirmed that over 34 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were neutralised in a fierce battle at Sabon Gari Community, Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State.
The attack also resulted in the loss of six soldiers.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, disclosed this in a statement titled “Terrorists Killed in Attack on Sabon Gari in Damboa LGA of Borno State.”
He revealed that the terrorists, riding on motorcycles and gun trucks, attempted to retaliate the recent killing of their commanders but were overwhelmed by joint air and ground forces.
The statement reads: “On 4 January 2025, an unspecified number of ISWAP/BHT terrorists riding on motorcycles and gun trucks engaged troops deployed in Sabon Gari Village of Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State in a firefight. The terrorists had attempted to surprise troops and retaliate the recent killing of their commander and combatants by troops.”
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“The terrorists were taken unaware when troops’ fighting patrol, returning to base, foiled their planned attack as soon as the assault commenced. Additionally, a reinforcement team comprising elements of the Civilian Joint Taskforce, vigilante, and hybrid forces arrived at the scene in time to overpower the terrorists.”
The statement further detailed how the battle unfolded: “Though the reinforcement team encountered an improvised explosive device, injuring the vigilante commander, they arrived timely to decimate the fleeing terrorists. Furthermore, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air interdiction on the fleeing terrorists.”
Battle damage assessments revealed that 34 terrorists were killed, with 23 AK-47 rifles and over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition recovered.
The statement also highlighted the toll on the military:”Sadly, six personnel were killed in action. Kindly note that the names of the personnel killed in action are withheld to allow administrative procedures of notifying their next of kin to be concluded. Accordingly, the media is requested to respect this process, please.”
“On the whole, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is profoundly conscious of its role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation. Accordingly, troops remain committed to the course of defeating the terrorists.”
Six soldiers killed, 34 terrorists eliminated in Borno troops, ISWAP clash
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