Military
UK Boosts Efficiency Rice Production in Nigeria

UK Boosts Efficiency Rice Production in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom (UK) has assisted in the introduction to Nigeria Systems of Rice Intensification – SRI, a climate smart agricultural practice that would lead to efficiency rice production
The introduced system can lead to reduction of input costs by 50%, with less use of water, doubling yields for farmers and reducing GHG emissions.
A statement on Wednesday by the Senior Press & Public Affairs Officer and Comms Lead, Prosperity and Economic Development, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Ndidiamaka Eze read that: “Since 2021, the UK Government’s LINKS programme implemented by Tetra Tech International Development has been piloting a couple of climate smart farming initiatives; helping farmers to increase yields and become more resilient in the face of climate change while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.”

Eze said at a Climate Smart Agriculture results and lesson sharing event which held in Abuja on Wednesday, LINKS demonstrated that the project is starting to deliver impressive results, particularly the Systems of Rice Intensification – SRI, a climate smart agricultural practice which is a different way of producing rice that reduces input costs by 50%, with less use of water, doubling yields for farmers and reducing GHG emissions.
She explained that SRI involves early transplanting of seedlings and wide spacing to allow the plants to flourish, alternative wetting and drying rather than flooding and the use of organic rather than chemical fertilisers.

She disclosed that a further benefit for wider society is the overall climate impact delivered by SRI. Rice production traditionally produces methane (globally contributing approximately 2.5% of all human induced GHG emissions, roughly the same as international air travel) and this is set to grow in Nigeria with increasing consumption and production of paddy rice.
Speaking at Wednesday’s event, Team Leader, LINKS programme, Andrew Thorburn said: “Farmers were sceptical at first but after four seasons we now have over 26,000 farmers in Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa actively using SRI. The use of organic rather than chemical fertilisers equally meant that soil quality further improves every season which continued to deliver improved results as well as increased resilience to changing weather, especially flooding.”
British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, represented by the FCDO Climate and Nature Lead in Abuja, Martine Sobey said: “The UK Government has a strong focus on supporting Nigeria to deliver its international climate commitments,” adding that: “We are particularly pleased to note that the Systems of Rice Intensification – SRI reduces the GHG emissions produced by rice growers by as much as 40% and look forward to seeing SRI expand throughout Nigeria”.
At the event participants heard from farmers based in Kano and Jigawa who were trained to use the SRI method explain how the change had benefited their lives and that of their communities. They also heard from Silvex International, a LINKS partner and aggregator who is planning to expand SRI to over 1,000 hectares in the coming years that will ensure benefits throughout the value chain. With this positive start, SRI is set to help Nigeria on the road to rice self-sufficiency as well as improving the environment for all.
The LINKS programme – Powering Economic Growth in Northern Nigeria – is a £12m UK government funded programme designed to support the development of a vibrant, inclusive, and diversified economy in three Northern Nigeria States of Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa.
LINKS primary objective is to develop high potential pro-poor value chains supporting them to be productive, competitive, and attractive for investment at every level.
The programme has had two main areas of activity, which are Support for the growth of Climate Smart Agriculture to improve yields, build resilience among farming communities against climate change, as well as reducing the emission of GHG. In addition to SRI, LINKS is also working with 30,000 farmers in Jigawa state to pilot a regenerative farming project that will generate additional revenue from the sale of carbon credits; and the LINKS also works to encourage investment into its focal states, including working with businesses to help them develop plans to access finance for growth and development. Clients range from small holder farmers to high tech start-ups and large corporates.
UK Boosts Efficiency Rice Production in Nigeria
Military
Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Bello Kaura in Zamfara

Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Bello Kaura in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA ave neutralised a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Bello Kaura, in a successful operation carried out in Goburawar Dawan Jiya village, located in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Reliable intelligence sources, told Zagazola Makama that the operation occurred during the weeklong offensive campaign resulting in the death of Kaura and several of his fighters during a tactical raid on their hideout.
Zagazola understand that Kachalla Bello Kaura was identified as a key terror figure responsible for numerous deadly attacks across Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto States.
He was also linked to the terror group Ansaruddin, and was believed to have facilitated the group’s incursion into Bagega Forest and the Gando Game Reserve, where he reportedly received training in the assembly and use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Born in Sunke village in Anka LGA, Kaura was the younger brother of late Kachalla Alhaji Shadari, another infamous bandit kingpin who was eliminated by security forces in January 2023 during an operation in the Sunke Forest.
Following Shadari’s death, Kaura assumed leadership of the group and continued to orchestrate violent attacks, particularly in Anka, Bukkuyum, and Gummi LGAs of Zamfara State. He was also responsible for cross-border assaults in parts of Kebbi and Sokoto States, often attributed to Lakurawa by security agencies.
Security sources confirm that the operation was carried out after weeks of surveillance and coordinated intelligence efforts, resulting in a significant blow.
Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining pressure on terror and bandit networks in the North West zone and called on residents to continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing military and security operations.
Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Bello Kaura in Zamfara
Military
Troops Launch Operation Munzo, Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mati, Several FightersAnd Recover Weapons in Zamfara

Troops Launch Operation Munzo, Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mati, Several Fighters
And Recover Weapons in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Troops under the Headquarters Operation Forest Yakin (HQOPFY) have commenced “Operation Munzo,” a special clearance operation targeting terrorist camps in Zamfara State.
Zagazola Makama gathered from intelligence sources that the operation kicked off from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bagega in Anka Local Government Area, with troops advancing through Tibuki and Sabuwar Tunga villages to the notorious Mati terrorist camps.
The sources said heavy resistance was encountered as the terrorists engaged the advancing troops with light and support weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades. However, the troops responded with superior firepower, neutralising scores of the insurgents in the process.
Intercepts suggest that the terror kingpin known as Mati, believed to be the mastermind of several attacks in the area, was killed along with several of his fighters during the fierce exchange.

A soldier attached to the Special Boat Service (SBS) sustained a gunshot wound to the lower rib and has since been stabilised and evacuated for treatment.
Items recovered from the scene include one PKT rifle with two belts and 90 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, five AK-47 rifles, and 12 magazines containing 487 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Also recovered were three Baofeng radios with chargers, military and police uniforms, and other combat gear. Three motorcycles belonging to the terrorists were destroyed on site, while rustled cattle found at the camp were also eliminated.
All terrorist life-support structures in the Mati camp were completely burnt and destroyed during the operation. However, two tyres of a combat support vehicle were damaged, and another vehicle sustained a broken lower arm.
In a separate movement, logistics vehicles advancing from FOB Bagega to FOB Dan Gulbi at about 9:15 a.m. came under ambush near a bridge. The troops promptly repelled the attack.
While casualty figures on the side of the attackers remain unconfirmed, one soldier sustained injuries and is reported to be in stable condition.
“Operation Munzo” is expected to continue in the coming days as troops intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist enclaves across Zamfara’s forested zones.
Troops Launch Operation Munzo, Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mati, Several Fighters
And Recover Weapons in Zamfara
Military
Military and Civilian Joint Task Force Ambushed by Armed Bandits, Two Bandits Killed, Several Injured

Military and Civilian Joint Task Force Ambushed by Armed Bandits, Two Bandits Killed, Several Injured
By: Zagazola Makama
A team from Operation Fansar Yamma (OPFY), alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CPG), came under heavy gunfire on April 6, 2025, as they responded to a distress call along the Doka-Agama Lafia Road in Tsafe Local Government Area.
The military personnel and CPG members were ambushed by unknown armed bandits, resulting in a fierce gun battle.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that two armed bandits were shot dead during the engagement.
However, three military personnel and one CPG member sustained gunshot injuries. The injured victims were swiftly evacuated to the General Hospital Tsafe for medical treatment.
Military and Civilian Joint Task Force Ambushed by Armed Bandits, Two Bandits Killed, Several Injured
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