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Zulum Advocates Agricultural Investment as Key to Addressing Insurgency in Africa
Zulum Advocates Agricultural Investment as Key to Addressing Insurgency in Africa
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has stressed the critical role of agricultural investment in addressing insurgency and conflict in Nigeria and across Africa.
Governor Zulum stated this during a high-level panel discussion on “Public-Private and Development Partnerships for Agri-Food Transformation” at the headquarters of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The event was part of a three-day working visit by the President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, to Nigeria.
The visit aimed to explore innovative agricultural practices, agribusiness models, and strengthen strategic partnerships between the two nations.
With its own history of conflict and post-war rebuilding efforts, Sierra Leone is eager to adopt strategies that have proven effective in conflict-affected regions.
In this regard, the country is keen to learn from Borno State’s agricultural initiatives, which have demonstrated remarkable resilience despite 16 years of Boko Haram insurgency.
Speaking alongside Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Governor Zulum shared insights into Borno’s agricultural transformation.
He highlighted the state’s substantial investments in solar-powered irrigation, large-scale farming, and public-private partnerships, which have already begun yielding significant results.
Governor Zulum noted that Borno State possesses over 1,000 tractors, 1,000 combine harvesters, and other modern agricultural machinery, which are key to boosting food security and economic development.
“My administration has invested significantly in agriculture. We currently have more than 1,000 tractors, combine harvesters, and other agricultural equipment capable of revitalizing the sector,” he stated.
He further emphasized that leveraging technology, large-scale farming, and climate-smart agriculture can address insecurity while creating sustainable and inclusive food systems across Africa.
“The Boko Haram insurgency has triggered an acute humanitarian crisis, devastated our social and economic fabric, and deepened poverty and fragility in the sub-region,” Governor Zulum stated.
“To tackle insurgency, we must address its root causes, including endemic poverty and pervasive illiteracy. When I assumed office, many agricultural lands were left uncultivated. I immediately began establishing mega farms in relatively peaceful areas to reverse this trend.”
Governor Zulum was accompanied by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Bukar Tijjani; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Bawu Musami; and renowned agriculturalist Dr. Musa Inuwa Kubo.
Others in attendance included the Chairman of the Borno Social Investment Agency, Hon. Yuguda Saleh Vungas, and the Special Adviser on Agriculture and Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Barrister Mustapha Busuguma.
Zulum Advocates Agricultural Investment as Key to Addressing Insurgency in Africa
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 212 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Tuba have arrested three suspected cattle rustlers during an operation in Karnuwa general area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation followed intelligence provided by a local resident, Malam Muhammadu Ardo, concerning alleged cattle rustling activities within the area.
The troops reportedly mobilised to Karnuwa at about 12:30 p.m. on May 4, 2026, where they apprehended the suspects identified as Mallam Mohammad Abatcha, 28; Mallam Mamman Bukar, 18; and Malam Modu Hassan, 30.
According to the sources, the suspects were intercepted while using a pickup vehicle with registration number WW 806 GZ Delta, allegedly employed in transporting stolen cattle.
The rustled cattle were recovered and immediately handed over to their rightful owners at the scene of the arrest.
Items recovered from the suspects included a bow and arrow, three mobile phones, five national identity cards and the sum of N20,650.
Preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the suspects admitted to repeatedly stealing and selling rustled cattle to buyers in Maiduguri.
Security sources further disclosed that investigators suspect possible links between the suspects and members of the Islamic State West Africa Province or Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad due to alleged inconsistencies observed in their statements during interrogation.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 29 Battalion operating under the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have uncovered an illegal refining site and recovered about 600 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 10:00 a.m. on May 12, 2026, during ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region.
The troops reportedly discovered the illegal refining site around Asa community, where a large cooking pot loaded with stolen crude oil was found stockpiled in sacks.
Military authorities said the recovered products and equipment were handled in accordance with operational directives guiding anti-crude oil theft operations under Operation Delta Safe.
The operation was conducted without any confrontation or security incident.
The Nigerian military has continued to intensify operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage across the Niger Delta region.
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi at Kafur, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have raided a suspected drug peddlers’ hideout in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 12:30 p.m. on May 12, 2026, at Huguma village following intelligence on illicit drug activities within the area.
During the raid, troops apprehended one suspect identified as a major supplier of illicit drugs and other substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
Items recovered during the operation included 146 grams of suspected cannabis and 16.5 grams of a substance identified as Exol-5.
The suspect and the recovered drugs have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists in Night Ambush Operation in Borno
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
Troops Intercept Vehicle Conveying Illegal Diesel in Bayelsa
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