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Elephants from Cameroon invade Borno communities, destroy farmlands

Published

8 months ago

September 10, 2024

Elephants from Cameroon invade Borno communities, destroy farmlands

The Forestry and Wild Life in Borno Ministry of Environment said a herd of elephants that allegedly strayed from neighbouring Cameroon has invaded and destroyed some community farmlands in the state.

A Director in the ministry, Ayuba Peter, confirmed the incident in an interview with the newsmen in Maiduguri on Monday, September 9, 2024.

Peter said the incident had become perennial in the last five years in the area.

“We have been having reports of elephants destroying farmlands in Gamboru/Ngala and Kala-Balge Local Government Areas for the past five years,” he said

“They used to come from a forest reserve in the neighbouring Cameroon Republic at this time and roam around, causing serious destruction to farmlands until flood water recedes around December.”

He further said that the menace had been reported to the Federal Government through the National Park for urgent intervention.

He said that facilities, such as guns and firecrackers, are needed to scare the elephants away

Peter said that efforts by the ministry were being frustrated by flooding, coupled with insecurity in the border communities.

He called for concerted efforts by various stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations, to permanently arrest the menace.

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He also appealed to the government at all levels to give financial support to the farmers, whose farmlands were destroyed.

In a letter to Governor Babagana Zulum, a community leader, Baba Hassan from Ngala, called for urgent measures to address the problem.

Hassan expressed worry that farmers in the community suffered huge losses, worth millions of naira, to the rampaging animals.

“The recent invasion of the farmlands by elephants has resulted in the destruction of vast hectares of crops that the owners rely on for their livelihood,” he said.

“Imagine the despair and hopelessness these people are going through as their farms are trampled and devoured by these destructive creatures

“Government must intervene to permanently put an end to the menace, which threatens food security and the economy of these communities.

“In the midst of already challenging times, marked by hardship, high cost of living, and soaring food prices, this unfortunate incident has exacerbated the difficulties faced by the vulnerable members of our communities.”

He recommended the setting up of barriers, employing trained personnel to stop the elephants from encroaching on the farmlands and community awareness programmes on elephant behaviour and habitat protection.

Other affected farmers, including Bunu Modu and Musa Ali of Gamboru/Ngala LGA, described the recurring invasion of their farms as frustrating.

Also, Allamin Hassan and Hala Idris, said they lost so much in their farms to the attack and appealed to the State and Federal Governments to take urgent measures to end the phenomenon.

According to them, something has to be done quickly before farmers would be compelled to confront the elephants.

Elephants from Cameroon invade Borno communities, destroy farmlands

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EFCC declares four persons wanted over CBEX scam

Published

53 minutes ago

April 26, 2025

Trends Admin

EFCC declares four persons wanted over CBEX scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared eight suspects wanted in connection with the alleged loss of approximately N1.3trillion to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX).

Apart from two of the suspects based in Ibadan, the rest six were said to be from Idimu-Egbeda Road in Lagos.

But the EFCC has held on to two suspects it earlier arrested.

According to a notice by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, all the suspects are wanted for “fraud allegedly perpetrated on an online trading platform called Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX).”

The first set of suspects, who are Nigerians, include, Oloyede, Emmanuel Uko, Adefowora Oluwanishola and Adefowora Abiodun Olaonipekun.

The foreigners are Johnson Okiroh Otieno, Israel Mbaluka, Joseph Michiro Kabera and Serah Michiro.

The Adefoworas and Michiros are suspected to be couples.

The statement described the second set of suspects as “foreign accomplices wanted by the EFCC. “

The statement added: “The public is hereby notified that the persons whose photographs appear above are suspected foreign accomplices wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for fraud allegedly perpetrated on an online trading platform called Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX).

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“Anybody with useful information as to their whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, llorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: info@efcc.gov.ng or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.”

Asked about those two earlier arrested, a source in EFCC said: “They are still in custody. “

The Director-General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama has said CBEX is unregistered with it.

He said the commission cannot be of help to the victims.

He said: “There is nothing the commission can do”.

“We are worried that this went on for long without anyone drawing our attention to it. That is why we are doing more enlightenment and asking people to come forward to report this for early detection.”

SEC said preliminary investigations revealed that CBEX, which also operates under the corporate identity of ST Technologies International Ltd, Smart Treasure/Super Technology, had held itself out as a digital asset-trading platform, offering high returns to investors in Nigeria.

It said: “The Commission hereby clarifies that neither CBEX nor its affiliates were granted registration by the Commission at any time to operate as a Digital Assets Exchange, solicit investments from the public or perform any other function within the Nigerian capital market.”

EFCC declares four persons wanted over CBEX scam

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Two more govs, 40 lawmakers set to dump PDP – Opposition group

Published

59 minutes ago

April 26, 2025

Trends Admin

Two more govs, 40 lawmakers set to dump PDP – Opposition group

The Nigeria Lawmakers Opposition Coalition has revealed that 40 legislators and two additional governors are on the verge of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing disillusionment with the party’s leadership and direction.

Spokesman of the coalition, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, disclosed this during a press conference held on Friday in his hometown of Akokwa.

Ugochinyere expressed disappointment in the current state of the PDP, asserting that its founding fathers would be ashamed of what the once-proud party had become. He accused the current leadership of sabotaging the platform that brought them to prominence.

The coalition demanded the immediate sack of the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate in Imo State, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. They also called for the emergence of a substantive national chairman from the North Central zone to save the party from collapse.

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“For two years, the leaders of this party have failed to find a solution to its internal crisis because they are actively undermining the very platform that made them,” Ugochinyere stated.

He criticized Damagum’s statements invoking divine guidance, questioning his inaction during critical party decisions. “Where was God when you allowed the North Central to be sidelined in appointing an acting chairman? Where was God when you supported APC defectors in court? Or when party structures were handed to APC members? And yet you speak of faith in God?”

He also questioned the continued membership of Wike in the PDP despite his open collaboration with the APC-led federal government.

Ugochinyere further used the platform to draw attention to the severe erosion crisis ravaging his constituency, Ideato. He appreciated the federal government’s intervention in the N25 billion Umuchima erosion control project, commending both federal and state efforts.

“I thank the federal and state governments for their commitment, but in other parts of my constituency, especially the Umuechi-Urualla axis, the erosion is out of control. It’s threatening St. Jude’s Catholic Church, the king’s palace, and federal infrastructure. The situation is dire,” he warned.

He revealed that a previous World Bank erosion control project in the area worth N9 billion had been abandoned due to mismanagement by the former state administration, resulting in worsening conditions.

Two more govs, 40 lawmakers set to dump PDP – Opposition group

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Three people found with human parts arrested in Ogun

Published

1 hour ago

April 26, 2025

Trends Admin

Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Omolola Odutola

Three people found with human parts arrested in Ogun

The Ogun State Police command said it has arrested three persons over unlawful possession of human parts in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The command image maker, CSP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta on Friday. The statement said the suspects were arrested on Tuesday following a credible intelligence report.

According to Odutola, the suspects included 36-year-old Sunday Akintobi, Oladimeji Olaniran, and 40-year-old and 38-year-old Isaiah Tijani.

The statement reads, “On April 22, 2025, at about 0800hrs, operatives of the Ogun State Police Command, through its SWAT unit, acted on credible intelligence and apprehended one Sunday Akintobi (male, 36 years), a resident of Itoku area in Abeokuta, suspected of trading in human body parts.”

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“Further investigation led to the arrest of two additional individuals: Oladimeji Olaniran (male, 40 years) and Isaiah Tijani (male, 38 years). A search of their residences led to recovery of body parts believed to be human remains.”

“Cerebral bones were also recovered from a location disguised as a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Kobape town and along Abiola Way in Abeokuta.”

Odutola added that the Commissioner of Police in the State, Lanre Ogunlowo, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to conduct a discreet investigation into the case to establish the suspects’ full involvement in the heinous crime.

“As a friendly force, the Ogun State Police Command, urges the public to refrain from shielding criminal elements and to provide timely and credible information to security agencies. Such cooperation is crucial in curbing ritual killings and other violent crimes in the state.”