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Emir Hails ACReSAL’s Poverty Intervention as Jiwa Seeks Climate-Resilient Transformation
Emir Hails ACReSAL’s Poverty Intervention as Jiwa Seeks Climate-Resilient Transformation
By: Michael Mike
The Emir of Jiwa and Paramount Ruler of Jiwa Kingdom, Idris Musa, has welcomed a major poverty-alleviation push by the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, describing it as a turning point for a community long challenged by environmental pressures and limited economic opportunities.
Speaking during a high-level engagement with officials of the World Bank-supported initiative in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the monarch said Jiwa stands ready to partner with stakeholders to translate commitments into measurable improvements in livelihoods.
“I thank you for considering my community. We have listened to your promises and we are prepared to cooperate fully to ensure successful implementation,” the Emir said.
The intervention, driven by ACReSAL’s Task Team Leader and Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank, Joy Iganya Agene, focuses on expanding income-generating opportunities while addressing climate-related vulnerabilities affecting semi-arid communities.
Agene explained that beyond financial support, the project is designed to build resilience through sustainable agriculture, improved infrastructure, and structured community participation.
“Our engagement with more than 30 community groups has helped us understand their priority needs,” she said. “We have identified critical concerns, including drainage challenges that must be addressed before the rainy season. We will guide the community on the steps required to begin implementation.”
She stressed transparency and collaboration as core principles of the intervention, urging community groups with overlapping objectives to consolidate efforts and develop stronger proposals capable of attracting support under the project framework.
The Mandate Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCTA, Abdullahi Suleiman Ango, represented by Ann Ijeoma, said ACReSAL’s footprint is already visible in several rural communities across the FCT.
According to him, the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) is empowering grassroots agricultural enterprises, while infrastructure projects—such as solar-powered boreholes, solar street lights, and improved waste management systems—are helping to raise living standards.
He called on Jiwa residents to take ownership of the projects to ensure sustainability.
“These investments belong to the people. Protecting and maintaining them will guarantee long-term benefits,” he said.
Earlier, FCT ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Caroline Opara, disclosed that consultations in Jiwa revealed urgent needs in flood control, agricultural inputs, solar lighting, water access, and expansion of the Community Revolving Fund.
She noted that residents have been organized into Community Interest Groups (CIGs), with deliberate emphasis on inclusiveness and women’s participation—an approach aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of benefits.
“The enthusiasm shown here gives us confidence. With the World Bank team on ground, we expect to fast-track the processes needed to deliver these interventions,” Opara said.
For Jiwa, a community grappling with drainage deficiencies and limited economic diversification, the ACReSAL initiative represents more than a development project—it signals a pathway toward climate resilience and sustainable poverty reduction.
If fully implemented, stakeholders say the programme could reposition the agrarian community as a model for integrated rural development within the FCT.
Emir Hails ACReSAL’s Poverty Intervention as Jiwa Seeks Climate-Resilient Transformation
Troops Raid Illegal Shanties, Clear Criminal Hideouts in Abuja
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Army Headquarters Garrison, in conjunction with Operation SWEEP, have conducted a clearance operation across several areas of the Federal Capital Territory, dismantling illegal shanties and structures suspected of providing cover for criminal activities.
The operation was conducted at about 4:00 p.m. on August 23, 2026, across Karshi, Jeje, Kurape and Nyanya areas of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Security personnel raided and dismantled several illegal shanties and structures during the operation as part of efforts to deny criminal elements safe havens within the capital.
The operation is part of ongoing security efforts to improve surveillance and maintain control over vulnerable areas that could be exploited by criminals.
The Mai-Anguwa of Nyanya commended the troops for the operation and pledged to sustain effective communication with Army Headquarters Garrison and other security agencies by providing credible information on suspicious activities.
Security personnel are expected to sustain the operation and continue intelligence-led patrols in the affected areas to prevent criminal elements from re-establishing their presence.
The development highlights the importance of sustained community-security collaboration in identifying emerging threats and preventing criminal networks from exploiting informal settlements and unregulated structures.
Troops Raid Illegal Shanties, Clear Criminal Hideouts in Abuja
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist, Courier in Kogi
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of 12 Brigade have arrested two suspected terrorists, including an alleged terrorist courier linked to kidnapping activities along the Okene–Auchi road in Kogi State.
The suspects were apprehended at about 1:15 p.m. on August 23, 2026, around the Okene axis of Okene Local Government Area, following an intelligence report on the movement of suspected terrorist elements.
According to security sources, one of the suspects was allegedly involved in kidnapping operations along the Okene–Auchi road and adjoining areas.
Troops recovered two mobile phones with charging cords, a power bank, four litres of palm oil, portions of cow meat, clothing and ₦901,080 in cash from the suspects.
The suspects and recovered items are currently in military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Security sources said the arrests provide an opportunity to investigate the logistics and support networks sustaining criminal activities along the Okene–Auchi corridor.
The military is expected to intensify intelligence-led operations in the area to identify other members of the suspected network and disrupt their movement and supply channels.
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist, Courier in Kogi
Troops Repel Terrorist Attack, Recover AK-47 and Communication Devices in Niger
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD have repelled an attack by suspected terrorists on their position at Dekara in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The attack occurred at about 8:24 a.m. on August 23, 2026, when suspected terrorists engaged troops deployed in the area.
The troops responded and successfully repelled the attackers, forcing them to withdraw towards the surrounding forest.
During subsequent exploitation of the area, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Security personnel also recovered six motorcycles, 49 mobile phones, nine batteries and 10 memory cards reportedly abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.
Drone surveillance subsequently captured two suspected injured terrorists being evacuated on motorcycles towards the Kainji Lake National Park.
Troops have continued to dominate the area and maintain pressure on the fleeing terrorists to deny them freedom of action and prevent them from regrouping.
The recovery of the weapons and communication devices is expected to provide valuable intelligence for ongoing operations, particularly in identifying terrorist networks, their communication channels and movement corridors around the Kainji Lake National Park.
The operation comes amid intensified security efforts to prevent terrorist elements from exploiting the forested areas along the Nigeria–Benin border as safe havens and mobility corridors.
Troops Repel Terrorist Attack, Recover AK-47 and Communication Devices in Niger
Troops Raid Illegal Shanties, Clear Criminal Hideouts in Abuja
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist, Courier in Kogi
Troops Repel Terrorist Attack, Recover AK-47 and Communication Devices in Niger
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