CBDA Suspends Controversial Asset Disposal After Gov. Zulum’s Intervention and Scrutiny

By Zagazola Makama

The Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA) has suspended a controversial asset disposal exercise following sustained opposition from the Borno State Government, by Gov. Babagana Zulum, after allegations by some staff members over the scope and transparency of the process went viral.

The suspension was announced in a statement issued by the Authority’s Public Relations Officer and Head of Information Unit, Mr Muhammed Bukar Alibe, who said the exercise involved only unserviceable and obsolete assets certified beyond economic repair by technical inspectors from the Federal Ministry of Works.

The suspension comes after weeks of mounting concerns over plans to dispose of equipment and machinery belonging to the authority, a move feared by most people could significantly weaken the agency’s capacity to support irrigation farming and agricultural development across the Lake Chad Basin region in the North East.

According to the statement, the Authority halted the disposal process after consultations with stakeholders and in consideration of prevailing security restrictions in Borno State. The statement further maintained that no scrap materials had been authorised or released for disposal and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the protection of public assets.

In its latest statement, the management of the authority said the exercise involved only obsolete and unserviceable items certified beyond economic repair and that the process had been suspended after consultations with stakeholders and consideration of security restrictions affecting movement of scrap materials in Borno State.

However, sources familiar with developments surrounding the exercise dispute that explanation, insisting that concerns raised by the Borno State Government, the media and other stakeholders in the state played a decisive role in forcing the suspension.

Sources told Zagazola that Gov. Babagana Zulum had expressed strong reservations over reports that operational agricultural and engineering equipment could be removed from CBDA facilities under an asset disposal programme.

According to the sources, the governor warned that any attempt to strip the authority of equipment critical to irrigation, water supply and agricultural production would undermine ongoing efforts to revive farming activities in communities recovering from years of insurgency.

The sources said the governor subsequently engaged senior officials of the authority and conveyed the state’s opposition to any disposal exercise that could affect serviceable assets acquired with public funds.

“He even warned that if they insisted, he will report directly to Mr President,”said the sources.

The controversy first gained national attention after whistleblowers within the authority raised concerns over the scope of the proposed disposal programme, alleging that equipment earmarked for auction went beyond obsolete materials and included assets considered essential to the agency’s operations.

The allegations triggered widespread concern among stakeholders in Borno and other beneficiary states of the Chad Basin Development Authority.

The matter was earlier scrutinized when the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation summoned the management of the authority and requested detailed records relating to the disposal process, including valuation reports, approval documents and asset registers.

The committee said it was exercising its constitutional oversight responsibilities to determine whether all statutory requirements had been complied with in the proposed disposal exercise.

Gov. Zulum later publicly warned against the removal of heavy-duty agricultural and engineering equipment from facilities belonging to the authority, arguing that such assets remained critical to food production, irrigation development and economic recovery across the North-East.

He stressed that equipment procured with public resources should be preserved and deployed to support agricultural productivity rather than removed in a manner that could undermine the authority’s mandate.

The governor also reminded stakeholders that Borno State maintains restrictions on scrap metal activities because of security concerns and the role such activities have previously played in facilitating criminal networks.

CBDA Suspends Controversial Asset Disposal After Gov. Zulum’s Intervention and Scrutiny

Senate to Enact Stronger Laws to Tackle Rising Drug Abuse

By: Michael Mike

The Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics has thrown its weight behind the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), pledging stronger legislative backing and tougher laws to support the country’s escalating battle against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The commitment came on Monday during a courtesy visit by the newly appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joseph Ikpea, to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja.

In a move that signals renewed collaboration between the National Assembly and the anti-narcotics agency, Ikpea assured Marwa that the Senate would provide the legal and policy support needed to strengthen drug control efforts, expand rehabilitation programmes and intensify preventive campaigns among Nigerian youths.

The senator, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District, said his visit was aimed at fostering a closer partnership with NDLEA and learning from Marwa’s experience in public service.

“I am here to learn and partner with you so that our children who have gone into drug abuse can be rehabilitated, while others are prevented from falling into the drug trap through massive awareness creation and sensitisation programmes,” Ikpea said.

He praised Marwa’s record as former Military Governor of old Borno State, former Military Administrator of Lagos State and his leadership of NDLEA, describing him as a committed and result-oriented public servant.

According to him, the Senate is ready to support the agency through legislative interventions and reforms capable of addressing the growing drug menace in the country.

“We are happy to work with you and support you in all of these because we know you are already doing a great job but not getting as much as you need to do the work. We will partner with you through legislative support and necessary laws to subdue the drug problem in our country,” he stated.

Responding, Marwa described drug abuse and trafficking as a major threat driving several social and security challenges in Nigeria and across the world.

He, however, said NDLEA had recorded significant successes in recent years, including dismantling major transnational drug cartels, arresting high-profile drug barons and weakening criminal networks through the seizure and forfeiture of assets linked to illicit drug operations.

Marwa attributed the agency’s achievements to the support of President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly and the judiciary.

“The drug problem is a major challenge that is at the root of some other social issues, not only in Nigeria but globally. However, we are doing our level best to curb the scourge and we are getting impressive results,” he said.

The NDLEA boss assured the committee chairman of the agency’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the Senate in advancing both drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction strategies nationwide.

He expressed confidence that Ikpea’s leadership of the Senate committee would further strengthen the national response to drug abuse and trafficking.

The meeting comes amid growing concerns over rising substance abuse among young Nigerians and increasing efforts by authorities to dismantle organised drug trafficking networks operating within and outside the country.

Senate to Enact Stronger Laws to Tackle Rising Drug Abuse

How dialogue, military intervention prevented fresh bloodshed in Benue communities

By: Zagazola Makama

For years, communities across Guma Local Government Area of Benue lived under the constant fear of attacks, reprisals and counter-reprisals that often turned minor disputes into deadly cycles of violence.

But according to the Commanding Officer of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Special Intervention Battalion 11, Lt.-Col. Donatus Otobo, a combination of military presence, community engagement and conflict mediation is gradually changing the narrative.

Speaking during a tour of his area of responsibility by defence correspondents on Tuesday, Otobo recounted several incidents that underscored the fragility of peace in the area and the delicate task facing troops deployed to maintain stability.

The commander described a disturbing incident involving an 11-year-old herder whose ordeal nearly triggered another round of communal violence.

According to him, the young boy was tending cattle around November when he was attacked by some locals who severed one of his hands.

“The boy was only 11 years old. We had to intervene quickly, rescue him and evacuate him to a military hospital for treatment.

“He spent about a month receiving medical care before he was reunited with his family,” Otoogu said.

However, what followed reinforced the battalion’s concerns about the dangerous cycle of revenge that has fuelled many conflicts in the area.

The commander said that barely two days after the boy returned home, another attack occurred in which two victims suffered similar injuries.

“From what we observed, it appeared to be a reprisal attack.

“That is the reality we face here. One incident triggers another, and before long, communities become trapped in a cycle of revenge,” he said.

Otobo noted that while public attention often focuses on attacks by armed groups, there are also numerous cases where unarmed herders become targets of violence.

According to him, troops have repeatedly intervened to prevent such incidents from escalating into wider communal conflicts.

“There are situations where herders who are not carrying weapons are attacked alongside their livestock.

“Sometimes their cattle are rustled, killed or butchered. We have responded to cases where dozens of cattle were either stolen or slaughtered.

“In one particular case, herders reported losing about 130 cattle. When we arrived, we could only physically account for about 60.

“The scene was disturbing. There were carcasses, blood stains, horns and evidence of widespread destruction,” he said.

The commander explained that such incidents often create fertile ground for retaliatory violence.

He said one cattle-rustling incident in particular had all the ingredients of a major crisis similar to previous large-scale attacks experienced in parts of Benue.

“That situation was a ticking time bomb.

“It could easily have degenerated into another major communal crisis if we had not intervened promptly,” he said.

Otobo said troops immediately engaged traditional rulers, community leaders, herder representatives and other stakeholders to calm tensions and prevent reprisals.

According to him, the sustained dialogue paid off, as the incident did not trigger further violence despite widespread anger among those affected.

“We brought together community leaders, elders and Fulani representatives.

“We listened to grievances from all sides and encouraged restraint.

“That incident happened more than seven months ago, and thankfully it did not escalate into a broader conflict,” he said.

The commander also offered insights into the factors that may have contributed to the deadly Yelwata attack that shocked the state.

He said findings from military investigations suggested that tensions had been building months before the incident.

“From our own investigation, the chain of events started around April when some criminals attacked herders, killed some of them and rustled about 100 cattle.

“The affected individuals apparently went away, regrouped and later returned.

“By June, the situation had escalated into the Yelwata attack,” he said.

Otobo stressed that the lesson from such incidents is that unresolved grievances, if ignored, can eventually snowball into major security crises.

He noted that Yelwata, which now falls under the battalion’s area of responsibility, has remained peaceful due to proactive security measures and constant engagement with residents.

According to him, community leaders specifically requested the deployment of troops from the COAS Special Intervention Battalion to maintain security in the area.

“Today, Yelwata is peaceful, and that is one of the achievements we are proud of.

“The people themselves requested that our troops remain there because of the confidence they have in our operations,” he said.

Otobo further disclosed that the security situation had improved significantly, particularly regarding the presence of armed herders.

He said reports of herders openly carrying assault rifles, which were once common, had virtually disappeared within the battalion’s area of responsibility.

“As I speak to you, since December last year, there has not been a single reported sighting of armed herders within our area of responsibility.

“Previously, farmers would regularly report seeing herders carrying AK-47 rifles.

“Today, those reports have stopped completely,” he said.

The commander attributed the improvement to sustained military operations and continuous engagement with both farming and herding communities.

He said troops regularly hold meetings with residents to educate them on the consequences of cattle rustling, reprisals and other actions capable of reigniting tensions.

“We constantly engage the communities and explain the dangers of taking the law into their own hands.

“We encourage them to report grievances through established channels rather than resorting to violence.

“I believe that has contributed significantly to the peace we are witnessing today,” he said.

The return of Guma and surrounding communities, the return of calm has translated into something they had almost forgotten, the ability to farm, trade and move freely without fear.

Yet Otobo believes the greatest achievement is not the absence of attacks, but the gradual rebuilding of trust among communities long divided by conflict.

“The military can provide security, but lasting peace comes when communities learn to coexist and resolve disputes peacefully.

“That is the direction we are working towards, and we will continue to support every effort that promotes peace and stability in this area,” he said.

How dialogue, military intervention prevented fresh bloodshed in Benue communities