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EXPERTS HARP ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DROP MODELING, DATA SHARING, AND COLLABORATION AS 5-DAY TRAINING ON THE SARRA – H&O MODEL ENDS IN ABUJA
EXPERTS HARP ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DROP MODELING, DATA SHARING, AND COLLABORATION AS 5-DAY TRAINING ON THE SARRA – H&O MODEL ENDS IN ABUJA
By: Michael Mike
It was indeed a result –packed 5-day capacity building workshop as Agricultural experts from English Speaking Countries in Africa resolved to strengthen partnerships, improve collaboration, and review strategies in line with the SARRA-H&O Model to tackle food production across the continent.
This was one of the major benefits of the Workshop organized by the AGRHYMET Regional Centre/CILSS, Niamey in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the workshop held at the auditorium of the Elomaz Hotel, Garki, Abuja, Assistant General Manager, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Dr. James Adamu, PhD, emphasized the significance of crop modeling and encouraged participants to contribute to the national discussions to enhance the value of their findings in their different countries.
Acknowledging the diverse backgrounds of the participants, Dr. James Adamu who highlighted the importance of collaboration and engagement to ensure food security in Africa urged them not to work in solos, rather they should talk to each other, share data, and ensure that the gains of the training do not end there.
In his closing remarks, the Representative of AGRHYMET/CILSS, Mr. Traore S. Martial, commended the participants for their attention and concentration during the duration of the workshop and tasked them on the need to be abreast with the regional crop production and risk management strategies as applicable to their Countries.
Mr. Martial emphasized the importance of understanding the regional view and interpreting maps to identify risk zones adding that participants should share ideas, and training materials and consult national specialists to solve any emerging issues.
He thanked all the resource persons and other persons who contributed to the success of the workshop.
Two of the participants, Joseph Kailifineh, Acting Deputy Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Sierra Leone, and Esther Ladan Statistician, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Amadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, commended AGRHYMET for the training saying that they would utilize the gains of the workshop to improve food security in their countries.
Other participants took time one after the other to appreciate AGRHYMET for supporting the training and urged other development partners to emulate the organization.
“This training is very crucial to food production and security in Africa. Our skills have been sharpened in the areas of regional collaboration, SARRA – H & O Model and its associated models, regional crop production and risk management, the importance of data sharing, and other useful applications.
“We shall endeavor to share knowledge to ensure a positive impact from the training”, he said.
It is important to point out that Over the years, AGRHYMET has affirmed itself as a regional center of excellence in training of executives from Sahelian countries and elsewhere; agrometeorological and hydrological monitoring at the regional level; agricultural statistics and crop monitoring; regional databases; – management and dissemination of information on the monitoring of natural resources in the Sahel; – documentation on: agrometeorology, plant protection, environmental monitoring, desertification and natural resource management among other feats.
EXPERTS HARP ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DROP MODELING, DATA SHARING, AND COLLABORATION AS 5-DAY TRAINING ON THE SARRA – H&O MODEL ENDS IN ABUJA
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Police recover 15 rustled cows in Zamfara
Police recover 15 rustled cows in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Zamfara says its operatives have recovered 15 cows rustled by armed bandits during an attack on Gidan Kwagiri village in Damba District of Gusau Local Government Area.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 15 when the bandits invaded the community and carted away cows and sheep belonging to residents.
According to the sources, upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Damba Division mobilised personnel alongside patrol teams from the Department of Operations to pursue the attackers.
The team was said to have successfully recovered 15 cows, which were subsequently handed over to their owners.
Efforts, however, are ongoing to track down the suspects and recover the remaining rustled animals, while security patrols have been intensified in the area to forestall further attacks.
Police recover 15 rustled cows in Zamfara
News
Operation Whirl Stroke arrests cow rustling suspects fuelling violence in Benue
Operation Whirl Stroke arrests cow rustling suspects fuelling violence in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation WHIRL STROKE have arrested suspects linked to cattle rustling in Benue State, following two separate security incidents in Guma Local Government Area.

Security sources said that on Feb. 15, troops responded to an attack on herders at Amua Village, located between Daudu and Umenger/Ukpiam. The attack left one herder dead, while another sustained gunshot wounds and was evacuated to Keana in neighbouring Nasarawa State for urgent medical attention. The remains of the deceased were handed over to community representatives for burial according to local customs.

In a related operation on the same day, troops stationed at Ukpiam acted on intelligence provided by vigilant youths concerning suspected cattle rustling. The troops arrested a 23-year-old suspect, Terngu Aondohemba, who reportedly confessed to killing two cattle belonging to Fulani herders. He also implicated two accomplices, Akpehe and Ashinge, who are still at large.
Further investigation led security operatives to Korje Village in Daudu, where Mrs. Mercy Onban, wife of the alleged buyer of the stolen meat, was apprehended along with the recovered meat exhibits. Both suspects remain in custody pending further investigation.

The Force Commander of the Joint Task Force, Major General Moses Gara, condemned the attacks and criminality, affirming the commitment of Operation WHIRL STROKE to halting killings and cattle rustling in the Joint Operations Area.
He urged community leaders to strengthen collaboration with security agencies, stressing that timely intelligence sharing is critical to restoring lasting peace. Major General Gara also reassured law-abiding residents of the strong resolve of the Joint Task Force to protect lives and property across the region.
Operation Whirl Stroke arrests cow rustling suspects fuelling violence in Benue
News
Federal Government arraigns Nasir El-Rufai over alleged phone interception
Federal Government arraigns Nasir El-Rufai over alleged phone interception
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Government has charged former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged unlawful interception of phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Court documents showed that El-Rufai, 65, appeared as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme on Feb. 13, 2026, where he reportedly admitted to involvement in the interception and to knowing individuals who carried out the act without reporting them to security agencies.

The charges, filed under TABU DET CR/99/2026, include: Count One, Allegedly admitting during the television interview that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, contrary to Section 12 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Two, Allegedly stating that he knew individuals who unlawfully intercepted the same communications but failed to report them, in violation of Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. Count Three, Allegedly using technical systems to compromise public safety and national security, and instilling apprehension among Nigerians, in breach of Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The case, filed by a team of Federal Government lawyers led by ME Ernest, OM Owan, UM Bulla, CS Eze, and VE G. Orubor, is set to proceed with investigations and trial proceedings.

Authorities said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, where the accused will be required to respond to the charges.
The trial is expected to attract significant public attention given the high-profile nature of the accused and the sensitive security issues involved.
Federal Government arraigns Nasir El-Rufai over alleged phone interception
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