ACReSAL, NUJ sensitise 100 journalists to climate change, environmental reporting skills

The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, on Monday, trained 100 journalists to enhance coverage of climate change and environmental issues in Gombe State.

The one-day capacity building exercise is being implemented in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), aimed at raising awareness on land restoration and sustainable landscape management.

ACReSAL is a World Bank financed project designed to tackle the pressing issues of land degradation and climate change in 19 states in northern Nigeria.

Dr Sani Jauro, State Coordinator, ACReSAL, described journalists as critical stakeholders in efforts towards reclaiming degraded lands and ensuring sustainable landscape management.

He said the training aimed at improving journalists’ understanding of climate related issues to help them communicate the challenges and solutions effectively to the public.

Jauro expressed optimism that the training would enhance the skills and knowledge of media practitioners in reporting ACRESAL, environmental and climate change issues.

The coordinator commended Gov. Inuwa Yahaya for his support in addressing environmental related issues, to improve lives and protect livelihoods of communities threatened by land degradation.

He also lauded the media support in the implementation of ACReSAL project through accurate reportage, and urged them to sustain the feat to promote community ownership of ACReSAL project.

NUJ Chairman, Faruk Muazu, lauded ACReSAL and Jewel Environmental Initiatives (JEI), the implementing partner, for their efforts at upskilling journalists.

Muazu urged other government bodies to partner with the organisation to train journalists on issues that would enhance development in Gombe State.

“This training will help improve the quality of conversations around climate change, land restoration and environmental issues across the state.

“It will ensure that the media becomes adequately informed about climate change related issues across the state,” he said.

Mr Ismail Bima, Project Coordinator, JEI, also urged journalists to prioritise environmental and climate change reportage to promote sustainable environment.

Represented by Danladi Aliyu, an official of JEI, Bima said awareness creation on ACReSAL project, government and stakeholders investment would build sustainability culture among residents.

One of the participants, Chika Udenkwo, commended the gesture, adding it would expose journalists better skills to report environmental issues and climate change.

ACReSAL, NUJ sensitise 100 journalists to climate change, environmental reporting skills

Police arrest three suspected armed robbers in Abuja IDP camp

By: Zagazola Makama

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested three suspected members of a notorious armed robbery syndicate during a coordinated operation to rid the territory of criminal elements.

Zagazola Makama report that the arrest followed the directive of the Commissioner of Police, FCT, to flush out criminal gangs operating within the nation’s capital between Oct. 10 and 17, 2025.

The suspects Manaseh Emmanuel, 36, and Dogora Ibrahim, 21, both from Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, and Ibrahim Idamusa, 40, from Giri Local Government Area of Adamawa State were arrested by operatives of the Scorpion Squad led by ACP Victor O. Godfrey.

The suspects, who all reside in New Kuchigoro IDP Camp, Durumi, were apprehended following actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the gang was linked to a notorious and unrepentant armed robber, Ibrahim Yakubu a.k.a. Ycome, currently standing trial over an armed robbery incident at Maitama on Oct. 10, 2025.

Sources said that Police investigations further uncovered that Ycome, who was earlier brought out of prison on a reproduction warrant on May 21, 2025, had been coordinating illicit drug operations and other criminal activities from prison.

Sources said the suspects confessed to robbing several vehicles in different parts of Abuja, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other accomplices and recover stolen vehicles.

Police arrest three suspected armed robbers in Abuja IDP camp

Operation Zenda JTF kill notorious robbery suspect in Benue, recover firearm and charms

By: Zagazola Makama

Operatives of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) have neutralized a notorious armed robbery suspect, identified as Saater, during a gun duel in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, which took place at about 8:00 p.m. on Oct. 18, followed credible intelligence that led the team to a hotel at the Owner Occupiers area of Makurdi, where the suspect was hiding.

The suspect, who was said to be a notorious kidnapper, assassin, and armed robber from Wannune in Tarka Local Government Area, was allegedly responsible for the killings of several persons, including the commander of local hunters and his wife, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and a traditional ruler, among others.

Upon sighting the operatives, the suspect reportedly opened fire on the team, prompting a gun battle during which he sustained fatal bullet wounds.

Sources said he was rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where he was confirmed dead while receiving treatment. His corpse has been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

Items recovered from him include a locally fabricated short gun, two cartridges, assorted criminal charms, and seven SIM cards of different networks.

Operation Zenda JTF kill notorious robbery suspect in Benue, recover firearm and charms