Nigeria Suffers $14bn Loss to Farmer-herder Clashes, Says Osinbajo - Newstrends
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Nigeria Suffers $14bn Loss to Farmer-herder Clashes, Says Osinbajo

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Nigeria has lost over $14 billion yearly due to the frequent farmer-herder clashes, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday.

Osinbajo made the disclosure in Lagos, while declaring this year’s Livestock and Aquaculture Trade Fair open.

 Represented by the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) Delivery Advisor at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Efosa Onyezebe, the vice president, noted that it was disheartening that a country whose population was projected to rise to over 250 million by 2030, was suffering such a huge loss because of clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

According to Osinbajo, in order to tackle the challenge, the federal government initiated the NLTP to support and strengthen the development of market-driven ranches in the livestock ecosystem for improved productivity through breed (genetic) improvement and pasture production, in addition to efficient land and water productivity improvement.

The vice president explained that under the programme, about 22 states have so far sent letters of expression of interest, adding that 10 states have set up the state Livestock Transformation Office, just as four states have identified and mapped the gazetted grazing reserves in their domains and are ready for take-off.

He said some states have received funding for the development of the pilot ranches.

Also speaking, the Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, Mahmood Abubakar, called for the development of the nation’s fishing industry.

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Represented by Mrs.  Omolara Oguntuyi, Abubakar noted that the nation has no business importing fish going by the nation’s abundant marine resources.

The minister said: “If you look at Nigeria’s capacity for producing fish for example, it is enormous, and truly we don’t have any business importing fish. Fish do not grow on sand but in water and the country is blessed with abundant amount of water. We have lakes, creeks, rivers and Atlantic Ocean all filled with different kinds of fishes.

“We also have diversity of fishes in our waters. So, what we should be doing is to take advantage of these natural resources which has been ignored for a very long time.

“A typical example is the abundant stock of shrimps in our water, drift fish and large lantern fish population that we can use to make our fish feed which is important to aquaculture production.”

According to him, “we have to develop our fishing industry and not be dependent on importation. God did not make a mistake when He gave us the Atlantic Ocean and those lakes we have, it is only a prodigal child that will have resources and will not use it and instead be looking at what others have.”

“What we can do now is to promote what we have within our own country and a lot can be achieved in the livestock and aquaculture production. We have cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, rabbit, snail, tilapia and catfish among others that we can promote.

“A lot of farm estates can be promoted, cage culture can be constructed within some of our rivers so that we can produce a lot of our own animals and fish needs.

“The only thing that is unacceptable is for Nigeria to be totally dependent on other countries for animal protein source when we have land and water we are not making use of.”

“The time is ripe for us to revolutionise agriculture in Nigeria especially in the livestock and aquaculture development and the youths should be the bedrock of our drive to transform this sector in agriculture,” he added.

THISDAY

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Tragedy in Lagos: Four Killed, 16 Injured as Container Truck Overturns on Bus

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Tragedy in Lagos: Four Killed, 16 Injured as Container Truck Overturns on Bus

 

LAGOS, NIGERIA – A devastating road accident occurred in Lagos on Tuesday, resulting in the tragic loss of four lives and leaving sixteen others severely injured after a containerized truck overturned onto a passenger bus.

 

The fatal incident, which has once again raised concerns about heavy-duty vehicle safety on Lagos roads, was confirmed in a report published on October 28, 2026.

 

According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations, the accident occurred when the driver of the articulated vehicle, reportedly laden with a heavy container, lost control. The truck subsequently tipped over, crashing directly onto a commercial bus filled with passengers.

 

Emergency responders, including officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), arrived swiftly at the scene to conduct rescue operations. Images from the scene depicted a harrowing sight, with the twisted wreckage of the bus trapped beneath the massive weight of the container, flanked by emergency personnel working to extricate victims.

 

Confirming the casualty figures, officials stated that four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while 16 others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The injured victims were promptly rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.

 

The incident caused significant traffic gridlock in the area as emergency teams worked for hours to clear the wreckage and restore the free flow of traffic.

 

Authorities have urged motorists, particularly heavy-duty truck drivers, to exercise extreme caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such catastrophic occurrences. Investigations into the exact cause of the brake failure or loss of control are currently ongoing.

 

This latest incident highlights the recurring danger of container trucks falling on vehicles in Lagos, a menace that has led to calls for stricter enforcement of safety protocols for articulated vehicles within the state.

 

Tragedy in Lagos: Four Killed, 16 Injured as Container Truck Overturns on Bus

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“I Didn’t Insult Tinubu” – Makinde Refutes Sunday Igboho’s Allegations

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Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde

“I Didn’t Insult Tinubu” – Makinde Refutes Sunday Igboho’s Allegations

IBADAN — Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has outrightly dismissed claims by Yoruba nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, accusing him of insulting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a recent public engagement.

The controversy stems from comments made by Governor Makinde during a town hall meeting in Ondo State, which triggered sharp criticism from Igboho, who claimed the governor was “jumping about” to disrespect the President.

Reacting to the allegations, Makinde clarified that his remarks were misconstrued and were never targeted at President Tinubu. The governor stressed that his observations during the Ondo event focused on national issues and governance rather than personal attacks on the Nigerian leader.

According to sources close to the administration, Governor Makinde reaffirmed his commitment to constructive engagement on national policies while maintaining due respect for the office of the President.

The exchange has since generated varied reactions across political and social media landscapes, highlighting the ongoing political dynamics between key South-West leaders ahead of upcoming regional developments.

 

“I Didn’t Insult Tinubu” – Makinde Refutes Sunday Igboho’s Allegations

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Okpebholo Links Attack on MC Porkupyne to Cult Activities, Denies Govt Involvement

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Atiku Condemns Attack on Edo Comedian Over Refusal to Support Tinubu
Benin-based comedian Osagie Idiedia, popularly known as MC Porkupyne,

Okpebholo Links Attack on MC Porkupyne to Cult Activities, Denies Govt Involvement

 

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has attributed the reported attack on Benin-based comedian Osagie Idiedia, popularly known as MC Porkupyne, to suspected cult-related activities, dismissing allegations linking his administration to the incident as fake news.

 

The governor made the remarks on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, while receiving members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, at the Government House in Benin City.

 

According to a report by Daily Post, Okpebholo said intelligence gathered by the state government suggested that the assault was connected to cult-related activities rather than any government-sponsored operation.

 

The comedian was reportedly attacked in the early hours of Saturday, October 24, while returning from the birthday celebration of the wife of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

The incident generated public reactions, including allegations of possible government involvement in the assault.

 

However, Okpebholo rejected the allegations, insisting that he was in Kaduna State when reports of the attack surfaced on social media.

 

“I heard the incident occurred at 1 a.m. I was in Kaduna State when I saw the incident on social media, and they attributed it to the government. This is fake news,” the governor said.

 

He explained that his administration’s intelligence gathering linked the incident to cult-related activities, although he did not publicly disclose specific evidence supporting that assessment.

 

The governor also questioned the circumstances surrounding the attack, particularly the comedian’s reported inability to identify his assailants.

 

According to Okpebholo, MC Porkupyne told him that the attackers wore masks and that he could not recognise them, although he reportedly put their number at eight.

 

The governor questioned how the comedian could count the number of people involved but remain unable to identify them, using the account to challenge allegations connecting the state government to the incident.

 

Okpebholo urged members of the public to exercise caution when consuming information circulated on social media, stressing the importance of relying on credible media reports and verified information.

 

Police Launch Investigation

 

The governor’s comments came after the Edo State Police Command announced an investigation into the reported assault.

 

In a statement issued on Saturday, October 24, the police said Commissioner of Police Patrick Daaor had ordered an immediate and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.

 

The police spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the command condemned violence, assault and unlawful attacks, assuring residents that the matter would be treated seriously.

 

The command also appealed to anyone with useful information about the incident to assist investigators, while urging residents to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed.

 

As of the reports cited, the police investigation was ongoing, and no publicly confirmed findings had established the identities of the attackers or independently verified the governor’s claim of a cult-related motive.

 

The incident has renewed attention on the safety of residents and the need for security agencies to establish the facts surrounding violent attacks in Edo State.

 

The outcome of the police investigation is expected to provide further clarity on the circumstances of the assault and whether those responsible can be identified and brought to justice.

 

 

Okpebholo Links Attack on MC Porkupyne to Cult Activities, Denies Govt Involvement

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