Nigerians may soon be importing yam for local consumption from China, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Ernest Umakihe has said.
Nigerians may soon be importing yam for local consumption from China, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Ernest Umakihe has said.
Umakihe stated this while speaking at a stakeholders workshop on repositioning yam as an export crop. He lamented that despite accounting for 67% of global yam output, it was unfortunate that Nigeria is nowhere on the map of yam exporting countries.
He expressed concerns that with China delving into yam exportation, and considering Nigerians taste for imported goods, Chinese yam may soon be found in Nigerian kitchen if care is not taken, thereby pushing more Nigerians into the unemployment market and and reducing income of yam farmers.
Umakihe said Nigerian’s first attempt at exporting yam was by Nasarawa State Government in 2009 with 8.5 metric tonnes and within the same month another 66 metric tonnes were exported in two shipments, followed by Oyo State but without success.
Four persons have been confirmed dead following a fatal accident that occured at Amorji community, Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia State along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway on Saturday.
The accident, which involved a Truck conveying goods to Umuahia, happened at about 5:00 am, leaving eight passengers seriously wounded.
Some reports claimed that the accident was caused by brake failure, while another villager opined that it may have been caused by poor visibility on the part of the driver.
Personnel of the Abia State Emergency Medical Service, EMS, who arrived at the scene of the accident soon after they were alerted by community members, evacuated the victims to the hospital with their ambulance.
Confirming the sad development to DAILY POST on Sunday, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Abia State Command, Ngozi Ezeoma said that the accident involved eleven male passengers and one female.
Ezeoma explained that four of the dead victims were male, while eight other passengers, seven male and one female, were injured and are receiving treatment in the hospital.
The Imo State Police Command has rescued 12 under-aged children suspected to have been trafficked from Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State to Aba in Abia State for street begging.
The operation, which took place along the Owerri-Aba Expressway on June 20, 2025, was carried out by operatives during a stop-and-search mission, according to a statement issued on Sunday evening by the police spokesperson, Henry Okoye.
Okoye disclosed that the officers arrested a 42-year-old woman, Ann Ngozi Enyenwa, from Umudim, Ohakelem in Ngor-Okpala LGA, in connection with the incident.
“The Imo State Police Command, through an intelligence-led stop-and-search operation, has arrested one Ann Ngozi Enyenwa, 42 years old, of Umudim Ohekelem in Ngor-Okpala LGA, and rescued twelve suspected stolen children on 20th June 2025 along the Owerri-Aba Express Road,” the statement read.
“This arrest led to the uncovering of a disturbing child trafficking network that exploited minors for street begging in Aba, Abia State.
“Upon her arrest, the suspect was found with several children whose appearance and condition immediately aroused suspicion. Consequently, the case was referred to the IGP X-Squad Unit for discreet investigation.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to trafficking children from Ngor-Okpala LGA to Aba, where they were coerced into street begging. She further disclosed that proceeds from their activities were allegedly sent to Shalom Motherless Babies Home in Okenyi, Eche LGA, Rivers State, where she claimed to be employed,” Okoye added.
The rescued children were identified as Chinyere Nnaralaeze, 10; Favour Madufor, 13; Ugochi Pius, 13; Ifeanyi Pius, 9; and Favour Timothy, 10. Others include Solomon Ihechi Chinuike, 7; Chinaza Madufor, 10; Nneoma Timothy, 9; Promise Maduenyenwa, 5; Gospel Chibuike, 9; Chinedu Maduenyiwa, 11; and Chinonso Paul, 10. All are from various communities in Ngor-Okpala LGA.
Okoye noted that the children are currently in the custody of the command and undergoing the process of identification, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to facilitate their reunion with parents and guardians.
He urged members of the public who may know the rescued children or their families to contact the X-Squad via 0803 477 3600 or 0816 008 7155.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, condemned the act and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of children in the state.
He assured the public that investigations were ongoing, with the promise that the outcome would be made known in due course.
A 17-year-old boy, Musa Muhammad, has died in Kano State after a fight with his childhood friend over tap water.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama shared the incident on Sunday in a post on X
According to Makama, the incident happened on Saturday at Rijiyar Lemo Quarters in Kano.
According to the police, the father of the victim, Muhammad Haruna, reported the matter to Bachirawa Police Station.
He said his son had gone to fetch water around 11 a.m. when he met his 16-year-old friend, Muhammad Aliyu.
“An argument broke out between them and turned into a fight. During the scuffle, Aliyu reportedly hit Musa in the face, causing him to collapse on the spot.
“Musa was rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital but was later confirmed dead,” Makama wrote.
His body has been released to the family for burial according to Islamic customs.
The police have arrested the suspect and said an investigation is ongoing.
