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Agriculture accounts for 80 percent of employment opportunities in Yobe, says Gov. Buni
Agriculture accounts for 80 percent of employment opportunities in Yobe, says Gov. Buni
By: Yahaya Wakili
Agriculture is the mainstay of the Yobe state economy, which employs 80% of our people, and it plays a key role in women and youth empowerment, employment generation, and poverty alleviation, among others.
Governor Mai Mala Buni CON disclosed this to newsmen in Damaturu when he celebrated his five years in office.
He said that when we came on board, we realized that the sector was largely characterized by traditional practices of subsistence farming.
“This therefore propelled us to organize an agricultural summit in 2019 to chart a course for agricultural transformation to enhance food sufficiency and food security and to make agriculture more profitable” he said.
Buni further revealed that the outcome of the summit culminated in the formation of a steering committee on the revitalization of agriculture, which, in conjunction with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, developed the state sector strategic plan.
“In realization of this, the government procured 7500 metric tons (250 tracks) of NPK fertilizer for the 2019/2020 cropping season and sold it to farmers at a highly subsidized price of $5,000 per bag, and the government has now placed emphasis on the dry-season cultivation of crops to further boost production for the attainment of food security in the state.
In addition, the government also procured 1500 metric tons (50 trucks) of NPK fertilizer to support 2022–2023 irrigation farming in the state, and these fertilizers have since been distributed and sold at a subsidized rate of $13,000 per bag through open market sales to the general public.
Buni said, through a public-private partnership, the government procured 1,500 metric tons of Neem-coated NPK fertilizer to support rain-fed crop production for the 2023 farming season. Under this arrangement, a company supplied the fertilizer at a cost of $25,000 per bag, while the government, on its part, sold the fertilizer to farmers at a rate of $13,000 per bag.
According to him, Yobe State Government and the Federal Government have agreed on mutual collaboration to establish Livestock Development Centers (LDC) in the three Senatorial Districts in the state in phases, starting with Jakusko/Nasari LDC (Zone C) in 2021/2022. Gurjaji LDC (Zone B) in 2022/2023, and Bade Gana LDC (Zone A) in 2023/2024.
“These products consist of the following facilities: Veterinary and Human Clinics, Milk Center and Milking Parlor, Artificial Insemination Unit and Small Ruminant Multiplication Unit, 50 units of Hardsmen’s Settlement, Feed Mill and Feedlot (5 Nos.), Earth Dams and Aquaculture Administrative Block, Security Outpost, Primary School, Tractors, and Planters
Others include harvesters, lawn mowers, ambulatory vehicles, the renovation of loading ramps and pastures, the construction of a wherehouse, the construction of a 6.0-kilometer access road, and the provision of electricity.
Agriculture accounts for 80 percent of employment opportunities in Yobe, says Gov. Buni
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 212 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Tuba have arrested three suspected cattle rustlers during an operation in Karnuwa general area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation followed intelligence provided by a local resident, Malam Muhammadu Ardo, concerning alleged cattle rustling activities within the area.
The troops reportedly mobilised to Karnuwa at about 12:30 p.m. on May 4, 2026, where they apprehended the suspects identified as Mallam Mohammad Abatcha, 28; Mallam Mamman Bukar, 18; and Malam Modu Hassan, 30.
According to the sources, the suspects were intercepted while using a pickup vehicle with registration number WW 806 GZ Delta, allegedly employed in transporting stolen cattle.
The rustled cattle were recovered and immediately handed over to their rightful owners at the scene of the arrest.
Items recovered from the suspects included a bow and arrow, three mobile phones, five national identity cards and the sum of N20,650.
Preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the suspects admitted to repeatedly stealing and selling rustled cattle to buyers in Maiduguri.
Security sources further disclosed that investigators suspect possible links between the suspects and members of the Islamic State West Africa Province or Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad due to alleged inconsistencies observed in their statements during interrogation.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
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 Neutralise Two Terrorists in Night Ambush Operation in Borno
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
Troops Intercept Vehicle Conveying Illegal Diesel in Bayelsa
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