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FG Says Drought Has Severely Impacted 40 million Nigerians
FG Says Drought Has Severely Impacted 40 million Nigerians
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako has said drought has seriously impacted about 40 million Nigerians negatively and has led to loss of livelihood and thrown many into adversed poverty especially around the Lake Chad region.
The Minister would was represented by a senior staff in the ministry, Alhaji Abdullahi Usman at the celebration of World Environment Day by the United Nations in Nigeria, in collaboration with Greenhub Africa Foundation and Renewable Energy Efficiency Association, said Nigeria has undertaken several far reaching actions to reduce the impact of drought on the citizenry but it is no longer enough to prevent further damage to the land as it is necessary to act decisively to reverse and recover what has been lost.
He noted that: “Land degradation is a global sustainable development concern which threatens the primary productivity of soil, food production system, biodiversity, water availability, energy, peace security and sustainable livelihood. To farmers, herdsmen and agro foresters in Nigeria, land degradation means a constant battle to grow crops, feed livestock and maintain ecosystem stability.”
He added that: “Globally, a large proportion of people living in poverty and directly affected by land degradation and here in Nigeria the poorest depend on the land for sustenance and there is a direct connection between land degradation and poverty.”
He said: “It is an incontrovertible fact that a healthy land in vital to the existence and persistence of all human societies from food, fodder, water and materials such as timber and fibre, pest, disease control and cultural identity. As land becomes degraded, the availability of arable land for agriculture decreases, thereby compounding food insecurity and forcing communities to migrate in search of better living, this invariably leads to conflicts.”
He noted that: “The theme of this year’s World Environment Day “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience” is very apt, considering the significant damage caused by human activities arising from urbanization, unsustainable agriculture and deforestation, uncontrolled mining activities, and other circumstances in our production ecosystem, which cannot be repaired without intervention.”
He stressed that: “Land restoration and management provide sustainable solutions to global challenges, the necessity to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 inspires a greater sense of responsibility and care for our land.”
Other speakers, including the Chaiman Greenhub Africa, Professor Obas Ebohon, the Country Director International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, Dede Ekoue, the Country Representative, Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, Dominique Koffy, and the President Governing Council Alliance, Professor Magnus Onuoha among others, called for development of policies that would tackle the multidimensional risks associated with climate change, to save the environment.
Speaker after speaker proffered solutions to checking the menace of desertification and drought and their impact on the citizenry.
The meeting which had stakeholders drawn from UN led and Civil Society Organisations on environment, was an opportunity for them to brainstorm and come up with far reaching solutions if Nigeria will achieve the voluntary Land Degradation Neutrality targets by the year 2030.
but in Nigeria it means a constant battle to grow crops, feed livestock and maintain ecosystem stability for farmers, herdsmen and agro foresters.
FG Says Drought Has Severely Impacted 40 million Nigerians
Suspected cultists kill 12 in attack on Jos community, Plateau govt imposes curfew
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected cultists on Sunday night attacked Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving 12 persons dead, in a fresh outbreak of violence that has prompted authorities to impose a 48-hour curfew in the area.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. when residents of the community came under sporadic gunfire from unidentified armed men, suspected to be cultists, who stormed the area and shot indiscriminately.
Troops of Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), were immediately mobilised to the scene following a distress call and moved to restore order and prevent further escalation.
A security report indicated that 12 persons were confirmed dead, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The injured victims were said to have been evacuated to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
The troops subsequently cordoned off major access routes to the community and ordered residents to remain indoors while a coordinated search operation was launched to track down the attackers.
Military sources added that clearance operations were ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further breakdown of law and order in the area.
In response to the attack, the Plateau State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, announced the imposition of a 48-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area with immediate effect.
The curfew, which took effect from midnight of March 29 to April 1, 2026, was aimed at restoring calm and enabling security agencies to carry out intensified operations.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the government condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unprovoked.”
The statement assured residents that security agencies had been directed to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, while urging the public to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations.
Security patrols were still ongoing across affected communities as authorities moved to forestall possible reprisal attacks and restore normalcy.
Suspected cultists kill 12 in attack on Jos community, Plateau govt imposes curfew
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Damboa LGA of Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected kidnapper in Azir community, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Malama that the suspect was apprehended at about 5:00 p.m. on March 28 by troops of 25 Brigade and 19 Battalion (Mechanised) deployed at a Forward Operating Base in Azir.
The source disclosed that the suspect was alleged to have been involved in kidnapping activities within the Damboa and Azir general areas.
“During preliminary investigation, the suspect claimed to be a cattle courier operating within Damboa and its environs,” the source said.
He added that one bicycle was recovered from the suspect at the point of arrest.
The suspect and the recovered item are currently in troops’ custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Damboa LGA of Borno
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA have arrested 58 suspected illegal miners at an illegal gold mining site in Ososo general area, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
A security source disclosed that the suspects were apprehended at about 1:00 p.m. on March 28 during a fighting patrol conducted by troops of 195 Battalion (Rear).
According to the source, the troops stormed the mining site and arrested the suspects without resistance.
“The suspects are currently in troops’ custody for further action,” the source said.
He noted that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining activities and other criminal enterprises within Edo State and its environs.
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
Suspected cultists kill 12 in attack on Jos community, Plateau govt imposes curfew
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Damboa LGA of Borno
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
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