Troops repel terrorist attack in Borno, kill two ISWAP commanders, others

By: Zagazola Makama

Nigerian troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled an attack by terrorists in Wulgo, Borno State, killing at least seven fighters including two of their commanders.

Zagazola Makama report that the encounter also left several terrorists severely wounded during the fierce exchange of fire.

The slain commanders were identified as Abu Nazir, the Munzir of Juye, and Abu Fatima, the Munzir of Koloram.

According to the source, the troops recovered four motorcycles from the terrorists after the attack. However, an armoured vehicle (MRAP) belonging to the troops was set ablaze by the fleeing insurgents.

“The terrorists came heavily armed but were decisively engaged. We inflicted heavy casualties on them, including two of their senior commanders,” the source said.

Troops repel terrorist attack in Borno, kill two ISWAP commanders, others

Stakeholders Raise Alarm over incursion of multinationals into meat production sector in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

Stakeholders from civil society, research institutions, and international organisations have expressed deep concern over the growing incursion of multinational industrial farming corporations into Nigeria’s meat production sector, warning of grave consequences for food sovereignty, public health, and the environment.

The concerns were raised during a media workshop organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) in Abuja on Thursday, where participants examined the implications of industrial-scale animal agriculture on local communities and Nigeria’s food system.

Speaking at the workshop, the Director of Programmes at HOMEF, Joyce Okeogene Brown highlighted that multinational corporations such as JBS are acquiring vast expanses of land in Nigeria.

She cited Niger State’s offer of 1.2 million hectares of land as an example, warning that such acquisitions threaten to displace local farmers and pastoralists who currently sustain national food production.

“Industrial farming projects often lead to the loss of grazing and farmland for local communities. Most of the meat produced is destined for export, not to meet local food needs,” Brown noted.

She said: “A study presented by HIDA Resource Centre revealed that communities in Nassarawa, Kaduna, and Benue States are not benefitting from promised employment opportunities. Instead, locals are often restricted to menial jobs, while skilled positions go to outsiders.

The report also documented cases of farmland loss, water contamination, and chemical pollution linked to industrial farming practices.

Brown stressed that Nigeria must prioritise its smallholder farmers, who currently produce over 70 percent of the nation’s food. “Rather than ceding control of our food system to foreign corporations driven by profit, the government should strengthen local farmers who are already feeding the nation,” she said.

Adding a global perspective, Dr. Patrick Mwinde of World Animal Protection warned of rising antimicrobial resistance linked to industrial livestock systems, which heavily rely on antibiotics.

He stressed that: “Already, 1.27 million people die annually from untreatable infections. Without urgent action, this number could reach 10 million by 2050,”.

Mwinde also noted that industrial farms rely heavily on herbicides and fertilisers that pollute water bodies and soil, leaving neighbouring communities vulnerable to toxic runoff.

“These companies externalise their costs maximising profit while communities pay the price with their health and environment,” he cautioned.

Mariann Bassey Olsson, Coordinator of the Food Sovereignty Programme for Nigeria and Africa at Friends of the Earth, underscored the difference between food security and food sovereignty, insisting that the latter is Nigeria’s only path to sustainable farming.

“Food sovereignty means Nigerians should eat what is locally sourced and produced, in the quality and quantity they desire, not just any food,” she explained.

She argued that Nigeria can not only feed itself but also Africa and the world, provided the government invests in infrastructure, protects farmers from insecurity, and supports small-scale agriculture.

The stakeholders recommended that government: Protect smallholder farmers and livestock producers who feed the majority of Nigerians; Halt large-scale land concessions to foreign corporations; Invest in rural infrastructure and security to enable farmers to expand production; Regulate against environmental degradation and ensure polluters bear the cost of cleanup.

They also stressed that Nigeria’s long-term food sovereignty depends on empowering its farmers, not outsourcing food production to corporations whose primary interest is profit.

Stakeholders Raise Alarm over incursion of multinationals into meat production sector in Nigeria

MINISTER OF INTERIOR DECORATES 22 NEWLY PROMOTED ASSISTANT COMMANDANT GENERAL (ACG) CALLS FOR RENEWED VIGOUR IN COMMITMENT TO NATIONAL SERVICE
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By: Michael Mike

‎The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has charged the newly promoted 22 ACGs of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to reawaken consciousness and justify their promotion by ensuring sustained diligence, Patriotism, fairness and integrity in the discharge of their responsibility.
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‎Speaking on behalf of the Minister, the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Fire, Correctional and Immigration Services Board (CDFIB); Major General Abdulmalik Jubril (Rtd), charged the Senior Management Officers on the need to project exemplary lives worthy of emulation noting that: “Promotion is a call to responsibility that comes with higher tasks and accountability is required”.
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“As ‎I Congratulate you on your new promotions; Let me on behalf of the Interior Minister charge you to justify the confidence reposed in you as it is required that you live above expectations and build incoming generation to sustain the good legacies of the Corps”.
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‎In his remark, the NSCDC Commandant General; Prof. Abubakar Ahmed Audi, mni, OFR admonished the officers to continue working relentlessly with absolute loyalty and dedication in order to tackle emerging security threats in the country.
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‎He called on them to exhibit professionalism and integrity in mentoring their subordinates.
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‎The NSCDC Boss commended the renewed hope and innovative policies of the Minister of Interior which has resulted in clearing the promotion backlogs and stagnation in the service pledging his administration’s determination to sustain it.
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‎The CG further lauded the Minister of Interior whose efforts have strengthen the capacity of the Corps to address security challenges, promote economic stability, enhance the welfare of personnel and foster collaboration between the Corps and other agencies.
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‎Other highlights of the event were goodwill messages by Major General MK Yunusa (Rtd), Controller General of Corrections and Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps who were represented by their subordinates, and Oath of Allegiance administered by the Officer in Charge of Legal, Commandant of Corpa, Bamiyo Akomolafe.
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‎In another development, the Commandant General of NSCDC also used the opportunity to present five million naira worth of cheques to next of kins of slain NSCDC personnel.
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‎This is in response to providing welfare and relief towards the families of CCA Anyamele Justice and AIC Bello Bako Musa who were deployed to “Operations Plug” and paid the supreme price loosing their lives in line of duty at Obiakpu Village, Abia State in Zone 3 segment of the Eastern Corridor on 25th February, 2025.

MINISTER OF INTERIOR DECORATES 22 NEWLY PROMOTED ASSISTANT COMMANDANT GENERAL (ACG) CALLS FOR RENEWED VIGOUR IN COMMITMENT TO NATIONAL SERVICE
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