News
FG Asks Nigerians to Cultivate Tree Planting to Fight Sand and Dust Storms
FG Asks Nigerians to Cultivate Tree Planting to Fight Sand and Dust Storms
By: Michael Mike
The federal government has reiterated the importance of planting and nurturing trees that will provide vegetation cover and protect farmlands from the encroachment of desert especially in the northeastern part of the country.
Speaking during the celebration of the international Sand and Dust Storm Day in Abuja which is always celebrated on July 12. the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako said the day was set aside by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDS).
He said, Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) are atmospheric phenomena that occur mostly in the dry lands but its impacts are witnessed beyond dry lands due to long-range transportation of sand and dust mostly originating from arid, semi-arid and dry sub humid areas.
The purpose of proclaiming 12th July as the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms by the United Nations General Assembly according to him, includes to raise awareness on the catastrophic effects of Sand and Dust Storms as well as it’s causes, impacts and preventive measures;
to sensitize policy and decision makers on the causes and socio- economic impacts of Sand and Dust Storms.
Also to advocate at the International, National and Regional levels on the need to share knowledge, best practices and measures to mitigate the sources and impacts of SDS to strengthen observation, forecast and adaptive capacities of the countries to cope with the adverse effects of SDS.
The Minister added that: “Globally, afforestation and reforestation has been considered as the easiest and cheapest methods to restore the ecosystem, protect our biodiversity as well as, reduce the impact of climate change.
He explained that: “The absence of forests/trees leads to loss of vegetation cover and extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves and droughts, it is also a major factor that allows movement of sand particles across areas with less or no vegetation cover otherwise known as SDS.”
Salako while addressing the press, said: “This phenomenon occurs when strong turbulent winds blow over unconsolidated dry grained sand transporting it to where vegetation covers are sparse or absent.
“The origin where this sand and dust storm originates from are devoid of vegetation such as the Sahara desert.”
He said that to combat SDS, I must emphatically state the importance of planting and nurturing tress that will provide vegetation cover and protect farmlands from the encroachment of desert especially in the northeastern part of Nigeria. The existence of forests across the country is very crucial to the campaign against SDS.
He noted that, SDS usually result in the removal of fertile topsoil which is a major cause of loss of farmland and crops thereby threatening the sustainability of food production.
He stated that the Federal Ministry of Environment and the UNCCD carried out an SDS Risk Reduction Project aimed at enhancing knowledge and developing predictive modelling about SDS risk
He noted that: “Even though Nigeria is not a source country for SDS, it is one of the frontline countries whose close proximity to the Sahara makes it vulnerable to SDS activities.
SDS occurs with intensity in the months of November to February which is locally known as Harmattan period. Dust particles are transported regularly from dust sources across the country towards the Atlantic Ocean during the dry season.
FG Asks Nigerians to Cultivate Tree Planting to Fight Sand and Dust Storms
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 29 Battalion operating under the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have uncovered an illegal refining site and recovered about 600 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 10:00 a.m. on May 12, 2026, during ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region.
The troops reportedly discovered the illegal refining site around Asa community, where a large cooking pot loaded with stolen crude oil was found stockpiled in sacks.
Military authorities said the recovered products and equipment were handled in accordance with operational directives guiding anti-crude oil theft operations under Operation Delta Safe.
The operation was conducted without any confrontation or security incident.
The Nigerian military has continued to intensify operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage across the Niger Delta region.
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi at Kafur, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have raided a suspected drug peddlers’ hideout in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 12:30 p.m. on May 12, 2026, at Huguma village following intelligence on illicit drug activities within the area.
During the raid, troops apprehended one suspect identified as a major supplier of illicit drugs and other substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
Items recovered during the operation included 146 grams of suspected cannabis and 16.5 grams of a substance identified as Exol-5.
The suspect and the recovered drugs have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
Troops Recover 13 Sheep in Mangu, as Attacked Herdsman go Missing
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8, Operation Safe Haven (OPEP), have recovered 13 sheep in Sabon Gari village in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State following a suspected attack on a herder who was either killed or just vanished.
Sources said that the troops responded to the incident at about 6:30 p.m. on May 12, 2026, after receiving information that strayed livestock were discovered in the community without the owner.
On arrival at the scene, the troops reportedly found 13 sheep grazing without any herder in sight. The animals were subsequently taken into custody by the troops for further action and documentation.
Security sources said the absence of the herder raised concerns about his possible safety and whereabouts. Sources maintained that the disappearance of the harder raised suspicions that he may have been eliminated by assailants in the community.
Preliminary assessment of the situation has prompted security considerations within the area, as incidents involving farmer–herder misunderstandings and livestock encroachment have continued to be recorded in parts of Plateau State.
Authorities are expected to carry out further inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and to determine the appropriate disposition of the recovered livestock.
Troops Recover 13 Sheep in Mangu, as Attacked Herdsman go Missing
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
Troops Arrest Two Suspects Over Alleged Ammunition Supply to Terrorists in Yobe
Troops Intercept Suspected Terrorists’ Family Member in Borno
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