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Premier Seeds Nigeria launches ultra-modern processing plant in Gombe
Premier Seeds Nigeria launches ultra-modern processing plant in Gombe
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state on Tuesday inaugurated an ultra-modern seed processing factory established by Premier Seeds Nigeria Ltd.
The facility, located in the Gombe Industrial Park, was developed with support from the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through its climate and agriculture programme, Propcom+.
Yahaya said the plant is crucial to Gombe’s largely agrarian economy, noting that more than 80 per cent of the state’s residents depend on farming for their livelihood.
“The factory will give our farmers access to high-quality, climate-smart seeds, boosting productivity and food security across the North-East and indeed Nigeria,” he said.
Obasanjo, founder of Premier Seeds, stressed the central role of quality seed in agricultural output.
He commended the state government for creating an enabling environment through the industrial park, saying the initiative would spur investment and tackle unemployment.
Director-General of the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Mr Fatuhu Buhari, said the plant would unlock the North-East’s potential as an agro-industrial hub and aligns with Pillar 3 of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security and job creation.
Propcom+ Country Representative, Dr Adiya Ode, said the UK Government-funded programme’s investment in the seed processing facility would help close the gap in the availability and affordability of certified seeds across North-East Nigeria.
Ode explained that the plant was designed to strengthen the supply chain for improved, certified, climate-resilient seed varieties.
She said the facility would enable smallholder farmers to access high-yielding, drought- and flood-tolerant, disease-resistant, and bio-fortified seeds at significantly reduced costs.
According to her, the intervention will also address critical logistical challenges that hinder farmers’ access to quality seeds in the region.
Premier Seeds’ Managing Director, Dr Ibitoye Oyewale, described the facility as a milestone that raises the company’s processing capacity from 20 metric tonnes per hour to 35 metric tonnes, thereby improving farmers’ productivity and profitability.
Our correspondent reports that the new facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology for the cleaning, grading, treating and packaging of certified, high-quality and climate-resilient seed varieties.
Troops arrest three ISWAP terrorist logistics suppliers in Kwara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation Savannah Shield have arrested three suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Security sources said the arrests were made at about 7:35 a.m. on March 15 by troops stationed at a Forward Operating Base in Kaiama.
According to the sources, troops initially apprehended a suspect who was allegedly planning to supply three motorcycles to a terrorist group.
Further investigation led to the arrest of two other suspected terrorists believed to be members of Islamic State West Africa Province/Boko Haram, who had reportedly arrived in Kaiama to receive the motorcycles.
The suspects were said to be planning to transport the motorcycles to terrorists operating in Nuku village.
The suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue.
Troops arrest three ISWAP terrorist logistics suppliers in Kwara
Maiduguri blasts: Police confirm 23 dead, 108 injured as security heightened
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigeria Police Force in Borno State has confirmed that 23 persons were killed and 108 others injured following multiple explosions that rocked Maiduguri on Monday evening, in what authorities described as coordinated suicide attacks.
The incidents, which occurred at about 7:24 p.m., targeted crowded and strategic locations within the metropolis, including the Maiduguri Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office Flyover, Maiduguri.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, preliminary investigations revealed that the explosions were carried out by suspected suicide bombers using improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The coordinated nature of the attacks, which struck nearly simultaneously across different parts of the city, has raised fresh concerns about evolving tactics by insurgent groups seeking to undermine ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the North-East.
Zagazola noted that the choice of targets particularly a major market, a hospital vicinity, and a busy flyover suggests an intent to maximise casualties, spread fear, and disrupt socio-economic activities in the state capital.
In response, a combined team of Police Tactical Units, military personnel and other joint security operatives were immediately deployed to the affected areas.
The scenes were swiftly secured and cordoned off, while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit conducted detailed sweep operations to rule out the presence of additional explosive devices.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, led a high-level assessment visit to the affected locations, where he commiserated with victims and their families.
He assured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property, noting that enhanced security measures had been activated across the state.
Emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency and the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, worked in coordination with medical teams to evacuate victims to hospitals, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Despite the scale of the attacks, authorities made the efforts to restore normalcy in the affected areas, with security presence significantly increased across Maiduguri and its environs.
Residents have been urged to remain calm but vigilant, particularly in public places, and to promptly report any suspicious movements or objects to security agencies.
The command also commended the resilience and cooperation of residents, reiterating its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the state.
Maiduguri blasts: Police confirm 23 dead, 108 injured as security heightened
Troops nutrialised several Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have nutrialised several Boko Haram terrorists after it successfully repelled a terrorist ambush along the Longlari–Kanama road in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 5:23 p.m. on March 14 when troops of the 159 Battalion Nigerian Army, B Company, stationed in Kanama, were returning from a routine patrol.
.According to the sources, the troops were ambushed by suspected terrorists along the Longlari–Kanama road near Mairari village.
The troops engaged the terrorists with heavy fire and neutralized several of them forcing many of them fo flee.
Following the encounter, the soldiers conducted exploitation of the general area to track the fleeing insurgents.
Troops nutrialised several Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe
Troops arrest three ISWAP terrorist logistics suppliers in Kwara
Babani assumes office as LCBC chief, pledges stronger regional security, cooperation
Maiduguri blasts: Police confirm 23 dead, 108 injured as security heightened
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