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Farmers/Herders Clash: IOM Impacts Over 30,000 Individuals in Taraba, Adamawa

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Farmers/Herders Clash: IOM Impacts Over 30,000 Individuals in Taraba, Adamawa

By: Michael Mike

Over 30,000 individuals have been positively impacted through the United Nations International Organisation for Migration (IOM)‘s project on conflict mitigation between farmers and herders in Taraba and Adamawa states.

The revelation was made by the IOM Chief of Mission Laurent De Boeck during the official inauguration of the second phase of the mission’s project steering committee meeting in Abuja.

The project is on: “Contributing to the mitigation of conflict over natural resources between farmer and herder communities in Taraba and Adamawa States, Nigeria (COMITAS Il)”, and implemented by IOM through collaboration with Search for Common Ground (SFCG), Mercy Corps and funded by the European Union (EU).

De Boeck, who was represented by Juliana Dorr, Programme Manager of IOM said, “The COMITAS II project was built on the first one, in December, 2022 it successfully contributed to improving the lives of women, men and children in Adamawa.

“This is the start of phase-two and with the programme inclusion of Taraba, the contribution by partners has reached 30,000 individuals across nine local governments.”

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, represented by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. David Jatan, said the COMITAS II project has been going on in the state since 2021.

He said: “The project has made tremendous impact on the community, particularly on issues of herders-farmers conflict; it has reduced incidents of conflicts between farmers and herders drastically.

Fintiri added that: @The peacebuilding programme of the project has brought sucor and peace among farmers and herders in Adamawa, and changed the livelihood of these communities.”

On his part, Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Jeji Williams, said the programme is ongoing in the state.

Kefas said: “We benefited so much and lots of women and children have improved in terms of livelihood; we are not Oliver Twist, but we will tell you there are more grey areas to be covered in the state.”

Programme Manager, Regional Team for West Africa of the EU, Eric Pitois, said the project remained important as it tackles the root causes of farmers-herders crisis in Nigeria.

He said: “This includes high competition of natural resources, climate change; we strongly encourage positive collaboration between Federal Ministries, Adamawa, Taraba and other stakeholders.

“They should work towards the noble goal for Nigerians, particularly women and children living in difficulties in some parts of the country.”

Staff Officer, Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Dennis Oziioko, commended the meeting for being timely in tackling conflict.

He said: “There is no doubt this meeting will provide an opportunity for all our key project officials to review updates on the COMITAS II project activities, since the last meeting held in 2023 in Abuja.

“We will be able to look at progress so far made, as well as discuss the sustainability plan of the project.”

The committee is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the project, make decisions and provide strategic guidance due to demographic growth, expansion of human settlements, privatisation of land, year-round farming practices, environmental degradation, and climate change.

Farmers/Herders Clash: IOM Impacts Over 30,000 Individuals in Taraba, Adamawa

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Security forces arrest terrorist kingpins, Killers of Traditional Ruler and sponsors in Imo

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Security forces arrest terrorist kingpins, Killers of Traditional Ruler and sponsors in Imo

By: Zagazola Makama

Security operatives in Imo State have arrested two suspected terrorist kingpins and their sponsors, recovering assorted arms, ammunition, and criminal charms during coordinated operations across several local government areas.

A security source told Zagazola Makama that the arrests followed a joint military and tactical unit operation that trailed fleeing members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN from Ukwuorji in Mbaitoli LGA to Umuele in Umuaka, Njaba LGA.

During the operation, one of the suspects, Paschal Ibuaku, was tracked down and apprehended in Obudi Agwa, Oguta LGA, where he was allegedly initiating new recruits. Another suspect, Mgbojiso Odunze, said to be one of the new members, was also arrested.

Recovered from the suspects were two AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, assorted ammunition, and various charms.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Ibuaku confessed to multiple crimes, including terrorism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and murder.

He reportedly admitted to participating in the killing of HRM Eze Dr. I.O. Asor, the traditional ruler of Agwa community, on Oct. 14, 2022, and several other homicides in Oguta and its environs.

He also identified two alleged sponsors of the terrorist group — Magnus Ejiogu (alias Emu) of Obudi Agwa, and Miletus Ihueze (alias Egede) of Amakohia-Ubi. Both men were subsequently arrested in separate operations.

Security sources said Ejiogu allegedly paid ₦1 million to the group’s commander, identified as Uzondu Nneji, to assassinate the late monarch, while Ihueze, a native doctor, was accused of fortifying the terrorists and allegedly paying ₦4 million for the same purpose over a land dispute.

Weapons, ammunition, and charms were also recovered from Ihueze’s shrine.

Sources added that other suspects connected to the group remain at large, while the case will soon be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Security forces arrest terrorist kingpins, Killers of Traditional Ruler and sponsors in Imo

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Bandits kill one in attack on Customs checkpoint in Niger

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Bandits kill one in attack on Customs checkpoint in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits on Saturday attacked a Customs checkpoint along Luma–Babana Road in Niger State, killing one person.

The incident occurred after Customs operatives intercepted suspected bandit informants and food suppliers who were transporting fuel in jerry cans on motorcycles at Luma Audu Fari-Kuka village.

Upon receiving information about the interception, the bandits reportedly stormed the area and opened fire, killing Suleiman, a Customs camp assistant from New Bussa.

The deceased’s remains were evacuated to the General Hospital, New Bussa, for autopsy.

Efforts are underway to track down the assailants, while other areas in the axis remain calm and under control.

Bandits kill one in attack on Customs checkpoint in Niger

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Teenager beheaded on farm in Benue community

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Teenager beheaded on farm in Benue community

By: Zagazola Makama

Residents of Ohirigwe Village in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State have been thrown into mourning following the gruesome killing of a 15-year-old boy, identified as Sunday Ela, whose beheaded body was discovered on a farm.

According to community sources, the incident occurred on Oct. 15 when one John Adima, a native of the area but resident in Ondo State, asked the deceased to accompany him to his farm. Adima, however, later returned home without the boy and subsequently fled the village to an unknown destination.

Villagers, suspecting foul play, organized a search party which led to the discovery of the teenager’s decapitated body on the farm.

The tragic incident has sparked outrage in the community as residents intensify efforts to locate the fleeing suspect.

Authorities have commenced investigations to uncover the motive behind the killing and bring the perpetrator to justice.

Teenager beheaded on farm in Benue community

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