Troops Foil Armed Robbery, Clear Highway in Plateau

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 4, Sub-Sector 41, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have foiled an attempted armed robbery along the Barkin Ladi–Bokkos road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on August 11, 2026, when troops deployed at the Kurra Junction Check Point responded to a report of suspected armed robbers blocking the highway.

The criminals had reportedly blocked the road in an attempt to rob motorists and other road users.

The troops swiftly mobilised to the location, forcing the suspected robbers to abandon their criminal operation and flee into the surrounding rocky hills.

The troops subsequently cleared the highway and restored the free flow of traffic along the route.

Security personnel have continued to dominate the general area through robust patrols to prevent the criminals from regrouping and to deny other criminal elements freedom of action.

Troops Foil Armed Robbery, Clear Highway in Plateau

Zulum calls for a shift from tractor ownership to modern agricultural services

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s approach to agricultural mechanisation, stressing that the country must move beyond simply purchasing tractors to a more productive and modern, investment-driven agricultural system.

Zulum made the call while speaking at a High-level National Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Mechanisation organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Governor identified low productivity, limited technology, inadequate investment and weak value chains as major challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

He emphasised that mechanisation should be delivered as a service, giving farmers timely access to land preparation, precision farming, irrigation and other modern agricultural technologies.

Commenting on Borno’s agricultural transformation initiatives, Zulum noted that massive investment by his administration in agriculture is central to rebuilding livelihoods and restoring communities affected by insecurity and displacement.

Zulum highlighted a four-pronged approach to agricultural mechanisation in Nigeria, including mechanising agriculture to increase productivity and reduce drudgery, digitalising agriculture to improve precision, intelligence, and efficiency, regenerating agricultural resources to ensure long-term sustainability, and investing in infrastructure, technology, and enterprises that will drive the transformation.

Zulum also called for stronger private-sector participation and innovative financing for local manufacturing and assembly of agricultural machinery, irrigation, renewable energy, storage, processing, value addition and youth- and women-led agricultural businesses.

He emphasised that Nigeria must not simply recreate the agriculture of yesterday, but build the agriculture of tomorrow, which should be modern, smart, climate-resilient, productive and inclusive.

The goal, he said, is to build an agricultural economy capable of feeding the nation, competing globally, creating jobs and delivering sustainable prosperity to rural communities.

The Governor was accompanied by the member of the House of Representatives, Engr Bukar Talba; Commissioner of Local Government and Emirates Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele; CEO/Managing Director of the Borno Investment Company, Mohammed Bukar Umar; and Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mustapha Ali Busiguma.

Zulum calls for a shift from tractor ownership to modern agricultural services

Troops Intercept 40 Cattle Over Alleged Farm Destruction in Plateau

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 4, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have intercepted 40 cattle following a report of farmland destruction around the BCA area of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

A military source told Zagazola Makama that the troops responded to the report at about 4:00 p.m. on August 11, 2026, and mobilised to the affected area.

Upon arrival, the troops found 40 cattle grazing on the farmland, while the herders fled after sighting the security personnel.

The livestock were subsequently moved to a safe location to prevent further damage and facilitate the resolution of the incident.

Efforts are currently underway to identify and locate the owners of the cattle for further necessary action.

The intervention is part of ongoing security efforts in Plateau State to prevent farmer-herder disputes from escalating and protect agricultural communities from illegal grazing and related conflicts.

Troops Intercept 40 Cattle Over Alleged Farm Destruction in Plateau