News
Ngamdu community in Borno will soon get respite against rainy seasons as N1.5b project nears completion… acresal boss
Ngamdu community in Borno will soon get respite against rainy seasons as N1.5b project nears completion… acresal boss
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The annual rainy season flooding that used to evict residents of Ngamdu community in Borno state will soon be history as the coordinator of the Agro-climatic resilience in semi arid landscapes (acresal) Peter Yakubu has revealed.
He stated that work on all expected structures in Ngamdu to mitigate this flooding which used to overwhelm the only highway in and out of the state is well over 50% competed.
Making the revelation recently in his office in Maiduguri coordinator of acresal program Peter Ayuba stated that about N1.5 billion would be spent on the project which will involve the pulling down of about 74 homes and the laying of massive drainages in the area to curtail the litany of woes experienced by residents who used to flee from their water logged homes during the rains to avoid drowning.
He said that Governor Babagana Zulum is keen on seeing the completion of the project before the commencement of the next rains which is why he followed the world bank partners up to their office to ensure an amiable conclusion of many of the grey areas in all the flood prone areas of the state.
“Actually with the Governor’s support, we have achieved more than expected considering that most of the actions in the work plan has been implemented. I can tell you that more than 80 percent of last year’s target was achieved. The project started in 2022 and we commenced implemention in 2023 making progress up till now.
“The Governor on visiting Ngamdu last year, which you are aware of agreed to visit the world bank to see that all the details of the Ngamdu project as outlined will be achieved.
” It was in that meeting that the Governor requested the world Bank Chief to come to see things for himself after the devastating Maiduguri flood. He visited some schools, Alau Dam and bridges that were destroyed and more. ” Said the coordinator
Yakubu said that Zulum also submitted a request for support for farmers whose crops were destroyed by the last flood in Maiduguri.
Speaking on the problems created by the flood in Maiduguri, he said some of it would be included in the work plan for 2025 like desilting of river Ngadabul which is a seasonal river flowing into Lake Chad.
Bulldozer, elevators and swamp buggies have been bought to assist in desilting the rivers. Which normally should have lessened the effects of the flood if it was not loaded with too much silt.
On the Ngamdu flood plain, he told this reporter that so many houses have been affected and marked for demolition but they had to wait until the Governor approves N100m for their compensations before they can ask residents to leave their homes adding that the entire Ngamdu anti flood project will cost about 1.5b naira for now.
“We are constructing a channel through the town and the pond and it would be emptied across on the other side of the road.
“The contractor would have finished long ago but for compensations for homes to be pulled down which is supposed to have been taken care of but causing a little bit of delay.
“And this is caused because some of them made mistakes in their names and it affected their payments which is why some of them are here to correct the anomalies to get their final compensations.
“About 74 houses were involved so we are not taking the matter lightly which is why we started implementation in the early part of December. About 18 to 20,000 people above 60 years were also given some support of 50,000 each.” He noted.
The Coordinator revealed that the Ngamdu fish pond will be expanded to become larger to produce more fishes for commercial purposes.
On the plan of acresal to intervene in the Maiduguri flood, he described the collapse of the Alau Dam as an unplanned accident adding that they have however planned desilting of the rivers criss crossing the state capital to enable them mop up further floods due to rainfall.
Bakin kogi tipper flood plain
“Bakin kogi” tipper he stressed was originally 13 metres wide but the Governor does not want it that wide. “This is why he did not agree with the world bank and their specifications which insisted on 13 metres because up to eight or nine sub drainages and streams enter that place at the same time during the rains and cause flood in the surrounding settlements.
“They finally agreed on 6.9 metres for the specification of the construction and a Chinese company will soon be given the opportunity to handle it.
“It will drain Bulumkutu through the railway down to kogi tipper while another one from 777 and Bintu sugar enters there too.
“The size of the place was estimated wrongly before but partially corrected during Modu Sheriff but what we are about doing now is to ensure that the floods stops once and for all and people do not live in fear during the rains.” He maintained.
On Uba town, Yakubu posited that his agency will drain the area adjoining the Emir’s Palace and link up with the big river that passes through Lassa.
This has to be done because the terrain is flat and it affects the flow of rain water which causes resultant flooding adding that there are similar interventions in Lassa, Uba, Uvu except Askira which they have not done any form of construction and are yet to intervene.
He told this reporter that
Lassa will get about N130m, Uba about five billion naira while Uvu is just a linear drainage costing far lower.
On Askira town, the coordinator stated that the Governor directed the ministry of works Commissioner Engineer Gubio to take over the Palace of the Emir and start work.
Climate change/ Cattle management/ over grazing/ long or short term solution
On the position of his agency on cattle management, he said that over grazing management has been one of their serious management challenges so far.
Yakubu added that there has been a deliberate plan for three Ruga’s and with the one in mafa completed, they hope there will be another at Gubio and Rumigo in southern Borno respectively.
The Challenges that Nigeria must face is the free movement of cattle and all manner of animals from economic of west African countries (ECOWAS) countries.
As long as cattle keep committing atrocities in the savannah, there is no way we can have achievements in the area of consistent deforestation.
“This is because they not only eat out trees, they uproot most of our trees in northern Borno with impunity. No checks at all at the borders.
“Even the nymph trees are being eaten by Camels. If you must plant trees in northern Borno, they must be protected for about four to five years from cattle, camels elephants and all manner of animals.
“Even the cows have trampling effects on new seedlings. We succeeded in establishment of about 30 hectares of nymph trees in magumeri already, but animals are threatening these trees by eating and uprooting them. They come all the way from Kala Balge to eat up our trees.” Said the coordinator.
Our major problem is the herders who do not control the animals, they eat up the trees and the branches causing over grazing which is one of the major problems associated with climate change in the state.
“If we don’t maintain these fences they will eat up the entire foliages and that is not good for us at all. They come in from all the border states to eat up out trees and return before the rains and floods.
“Over grazing is one of our major challenge in the savannah today and we must do something to stop this frustrating challenge. They eat most of the sweet trees like Adua, Balanitis Gum Arabic rendering useless the landscape and put the terrain in trouble.
Speaking on countering measures of the state government so far, he acknowledged that the Governor has done a lot from the climate change agreement.
“The ten million seedlings raised, solarization of the town, hospitals, bore holes and a lots of CNG and electric buses are all on the streets of Maiduguri while public buildings are also using solar now.
“We were expected to calculate the amount of carbon emission in our atmosphere before we traveled for the last summit but we could not. So these are the areas we may be able to focus on that soon.” He concluded.
Ngamdu community in Borno will soon get respite against rainy seasons as N1.5b project nears completion… acresal boss
Zulum begs FG not to allow Marte Fall
… Spends night coordinating security logistics
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has appealed to the Federal Government to deploy decisive strategies that would ensure that Marte town does not fall to Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents.
Zulum, who was actively involved in coordinating security logistics till late in the night on Saturday, undertook a tour to assess the challenges faced in Marte, while also exploring sustainable solutions to foster stability.
Before Zulum’s arrival, Marte was completely deserted following a Boko Haram attack last Friday with thousands taking refuge in Dikwa town.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the governor emphasised that his visit to Marte was to foster community cooperation, resilience and continuous support to the security agencies, stating “Marte was resettled about 4 years ago, but unfortunately, over the last three days, it was ransacked and was displaced again.”
“About 20,000 people left Marte for Dikwa; this huge number is a threat as allowing them to stay in the camp may make most of the younger ones become vulnerable to recruitment by the insurgents.”
“Alhamdulillah, we returned to Marte yesterday and spent the night with the support of the Nigerian Army and our volunteers. The community is now resettled for the second time. Still, my prayers to the federal government of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army are that we do everything possible to keep this town on the ground.
“Hitherto, Marte Local Government comprises over 300 towns and villages, now we have only one standing, if we cannot maintain this one, then we will lose the whole Local Government to the insurgents, which will be very obnoxious, and I think we will not allow this to happen. Therefore, I am calling on the federal government and the Nigerian Army so that we can put heads together and hold our ground for this single town in this LGA to remain.”
The governor reiterated his commitment to supporting security agencies in attaining lasting peace in Borno State, stating “on my part as the Governor of Borno State, I would do everything within my power to support our gallant military in their efforts towards lasting peace in our beloved state.”
Zulum begs FG not to allow Marte Fall
Crime
Two Octogenarians arrested for dealing in illicit drug as NDLEA intercepts N3.2 billion worth of aploids
Two Octogenarians arrested for dealing in illicit drug as NDLEA intercepts N3.2 billion worth of aploids
By: Michael Mike
Two octogenarians: an 80-year-old grandpa Ayuba Ashiru and 82-year-old grandma Mrs. Uloma Uchechi as well as her daughter Chisom Uchechi, 32, top the list of suspects arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) in raids carried out across the country while opioids worth over N3.2 billion were intercepted at Apapa seaport in Lagos and Port Harcourt port, Onne, Rivers state.
Ayuba had previously been arrested and prosecuted by NDLEA for drug dealing offences and convicted and served 10-year jail term between 2014 and 2024.
He was again arrested last Wednesday at Barazana street, Dogarawa area of Sabon Gari local government area. Kaduna State by NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence.
A total of 2.3 kilogrammes of skunk packaged in nylons and papers in retail sizes were recovered from him. He claimed to have been in the illicit drug trade for the past 46 years.
Similarly, NDLEA operatives in Abia state on Saturday raided the home of 82-year-old Mrs. Uloma Uchechi at Umuaguma Ntigha Uzor village where different quantities of methamphetamine, tramadol and skunk, a strain of cannabis as well as a cash exhibit of N130,600 were recovered from her and her daughter, 32-year-old Chisom Uchechi. The grandma confessed that she and her daughter took over the drug trade after her son who started the business died two years ago.
At the Port Harcourt Ports complex in Onne, Rivers state, a total 3,000,000 pills of tapentadol and carisoprodol royal 225mg worth N2.1 billion in street value were intercepted in one of the containers watch-listed by the agency based on intelligence. The seizure was made last Wednesday during a joint examination of the container by NDLEA officers, men of Customs Service and other security agencies.
NDLEA operatives also at the Apapa seaport in Lagos last Tuesday intercepted another watch-listed container declared to have new car parts and accessories from India. During a joint examination with other security agencies, a total of 169,800 bottles of codeine syrup worth over N1.1 billion in street value were discovered concealed in the shipment.
In Kwara state, no fewer than 199,200 pills of tramadol were recovered from two suspects: Abdulwahab Quadir and Abdulraheem Ismail last Friday following their arrest at Gegele area of Ilorin by NDLEA operatives who also raided Favour Lodge in the state capital where an HND 1 student of the Department of Laboratory Science Technology, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ibrahim Abdulateef was arrested with 650 grammes of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis already measured in 149 cups, which he sells to other students.
At a courier company in Lagos, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) last Friday
intercepted 250 grammes of cocaine concealed in female headgear going to Australia.
In Niger state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Mokwa-Jebba road lasr Thursday intercepted a Toyota Carina car marked AGL 945 BK conveying 316 blocks of skunk weighing 143 kilogrammes while a suspect, Idris Kamal, 35, was arrested. Same day, operatives on patrol at Chachi junction along Kaduna road arrested Emmanuel Hassan, 26, with 14.3 kilogrammes Loud. A swift follow up operation led to the arrest of the actual owner of the consignment, Bello Aliyu (alias Liti), 39.
While a 60-year-old suspect, Welman Kengbo was nabbed by NDLEA officers with 594.8 kilogrammes skunk at Karu area of Nasarawa state last Friday, another suspect Oyenuga Toheeb was arrested along Lekki/Epe expressway, Lagos last Thursday with 67.5 kilogrammes of the same psychoactive substance.
In Taraba state, 5,350 pills of tramadol and diazepam were recovered from a suspect, Shafiu Ismail, 22, when he was arrested last Thursday at Sabonlayin, Jalingo local government area, while Tijjani Mohammed, 35, was nabbed with 198 kilogrammes skunk at Malamawa, Garki local government area, Jigawa state same day.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abuja – Kaduna highway last Friday intercepted a 29-year-old Ismail Isah with an AK 47 rifle and two magazines concealed in a sack of maize. He will be transferred to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.
The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday, said the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy activities by NDLEA Commands equally continued across the country in the past week.
While commending the officers and men of DOGI, Abia, Kaduna, Kwara, PHIPC, Apapa, Lagos, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Taraba, and Niger commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) also praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for pursuing a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
Two Octogenarians arrested for dealing in illicit drug as NDLEA intercepts N3.2 billion worth of aploids
News
Wanted bandit arrested at hajj camp, four other bandit set to travel to Saudi via Abuja– sources
Wanted bandit arrested at hajj camp, four other bandit set to travel to Saudi via Abuja– sources
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives have arrested a notorious bandit, Yahaya Zango, at the Hajj Camp in Abuja while he attempted to disguise as a pilgrim preparing for this year’s pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Zango, who has been on the wanted list of security agencies for alleged involvement in banditry and kidnapping across northern Nigeria, was apprehended during routine screening of intending pilgrims.
A reliable security source Zagazola Makama on Sunday that the suspect was intercepted while trying to board a bus alongside other pilgrims headed for the airport.
The source disclosed that the arrest followed credible intelligence which prompted enhanced surveillance and internal screening within the camp.
“Upon close monitoring and verification, the suspect’s identity was uncovered, and he was immediately taken into custody without incident,” the source said.
The suspect is currently undergoing interrogation while further investigations are ongoing to unravel his network and activities.
Meanwhile, impeccable sources have alleged that at least four other individuals with suspected links to banditry are currently among those listed to travel for the 2025 Hajj through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Those named include Madele, said to be the father of notorious bandit kingpin Ado Aliero; Bello Bazamfare; and a woman believed to be the mother of another infamous bandit leader, Gwaska Dankarami. One of the four is reportedly a sibling of Ado Aliero himself.
In 2024, similar concerns were raised after 14 suspected bandits were reportedly sponsored to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. Three were apprehended on their return, while one was controversially released under unclear circumstances.
Security agencies are said to be intensifying screenings and intelligence operations around this year’s pilgrimage to prevent a recurrence.
Wanted bandit arrested at hajj camp, four other bandit set to travel to Saudi via Abuja– sources
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