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Troops arrest ISWAP suspects posing as tailors in Plateau

Published

2 months ago

April 13, 2025

Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have arrested two suspected members of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) posing as tailors in Plateau State, as part of a series of coordinated operations between April 11 and 12.

The operations also led to the recovery of firearms and the neutralisation of a suspected bandit.

In a statement issued Saturday in Jos, OPSH spokesperson Major Samson Zakhom said the two suspects—Abdulkadir Dalhatu and Ubaidu Hassan, both 25 years old—were apprehended during an intelligence-led joint operation at Yelwa in Shendam Local Government Area.

“Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspects were part of an ISWAP cell tasked with establishing bases in Plateau and Bauchi states under the directive of an ISWAP commander,” Zakhom disclosed. “They had been using the guise of tailoring to further the group’s agenda in the area.”

The suspects are currently in custody and are undergoing further interrogation. They will be prosecuted according to Nigerian law, Zakhom added.

In a separate operation on April 11, troops of Sector 4 OPSH raided a suspected criminal hideout in Mazat Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. Although the main suspect escaped before the troops arrived, a search of the premises led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle with registration number 23402 and a magazine.

“The recovered weapons have been secured,” the OPSH spokesperson confirmed, adding that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect and recover more weapons.

On April 12, troops of Sector 2 OPSH conducted a successful ambush along the Pinau-Bangalala Road in Wase Local Government Area, acting on credible intelligence. During the operation, contact was made with suspected bandits, leading to the neutralisation of one while others fled, possibly with gunshot wounds. A fabricated pistol was recovered during the follow-up operation.

Major Zakhom attributed the success of the recent operations to effective collaboration between troops and local communities.

“Our operations have been largely successful due to the timely and accurate intelligence provided by the public,” he said. “We urge continued support and vigilance from residents to help us combat these security threats effectively.”

Operation SAFE HAVEN is a special military task force mandated to restore peace and security in Plateau and neighbouring states by tackling terrorism, banditry, and communal violence.

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Fish farmers to new NAIC boss: ‘Your appointment must bring real change, not just promises’

Published

3 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

A coalition of aquaculture professionals under the aegis of National Aquaculture Professionals Alliance (NAPA) has welcomed the appointment of Yazeed Shehu Danfulani as the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), but with a clear message: it must not be business as usual.

In a statement signed by its President, Engr. Ibrahim Ayotola Bamidele, the group applauded President Bola Tinubu for what it described as a “strategic choice”.

But while NAPA acknowledged the appointment as a potential turning point, it stressed that farmers are tired of symbolic appointments that fail to deliver results on the ground.

“For years, fish farmers have suffered in silence—plagued by floods, disease outbreaks, and unpredictable production costs—with little to no insurance support,” Bamidele said.

“Mr. Danfulani’s appointment is a moment of renewed hope, but it must lead to action.”

The group pointed out that NAIC, despite its mandate, has remained distant from everyday farmers, especially smallholder aquaculture operators who form the backbone of Nigeria’s protein supply chain.

“The truth is, NAIC has been largely invisible to grassroots farmers. This is the time to change that,” Bamidele stated, calling on Danfulani to break from the past and usher in a new era of practical insurance schemes that are accessible, affordable, and timely.

He argued that Danfulani’s background in finance, agriculture, and enterprise development gives him an edge — but only if it’s matched with the political will to reform NAIC into a truly farmer-focused institution.

According to Bamidele, the sector has the potential to contribute significantly to food security, foreign exchange earnings, and employment if it is properly supported with risk mitigation tools like insurance.

“The reason many young Nigerians avoid agriculture is because of the risks. But if NAIC is repositioned under Danfulani to offer responsive insurance schemes and timely payouts, more people will be willing to invest in farming,” Bamidele noted.

The group called on the new NAIC leadership to prioritise stakeholder engagement and bridge the existing gap between the agency and farmers at the grassroots.

“We urge Mr. Danfulani to work closely with associations like ours. Let NAIC move from being a name on paper to being a visible support system for farmers across Nigeria. Organise sensitisation drives. Meet us where we are — in hatcheries, ponds, and markets,” the group said.

Bamidele also appealed to the Federal Government to back Danfulani’s leadership with the needed policy and budgetary support to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda in agriculture.

“The agricultural sector is key to the Tinubu administration’s diversification agenda. We urge Mr. President to give NAIC and its new leadership the resources, legal backing, and institutional support required to succeed.”

“We don’t need more press releases. We need action. Organise town halls, visit our hatcheries and ponds, show farmers that NAIC is not just a name on paper,” the statement read.

The association pledged its readiness to support the agency’s efforts through collaboration, data sharing, and awareness campaigns to encourage more farmers to embrace agricultural insurance.

“This appointment means nothing if we don’t take advantage of it. We are ready to partner with NAIC to sensitise our members and ensure that the benefits of insurance are felt across the sector,” Bamidele stated.

News

Imo: Oguta LGA boss visits victims of herdsmen attack

Published

4 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Chairman of Oguta LGA, Imo State, Ifeanyi Nnani, alongside his local council officials, has paid a visit to victims of alleged Fulani herdsmen attack in Agwa community.

It was reported that many lives were lost during the incident.

He condemned in its entirety the gruesome killings of innocent people who were attacked in their own homes and farms.

Among those that he visited was Joy Osita Achugwo, a pregnant woman who was reportedly shot by the herdsmen and is currently receiving treatment.

Another victim, Mr Ekene Davis Onyejiekwe from Umuekpu in Mbano Agwa Autonomous community, who confirmed that his younger brother was shot dead in their house by the herdsmen, is equally receiving treatment.

Nnani, while commiserating with the victims, assured the people of the community that the leadership of the Local Government Area was strongly committed and dedicated towards ensuring that peace and tranquility returns to Agwa Clan.

The Oguta Council boss said concerted efforts are on, with the help of the security personnel to fight insecurity in the Council Area.

In a separate reaction, the Federal Commissioner representing the State in Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Kyrian Uchegbu while condemning the attack, called for strong internal

security to avoid future occurrence.

He described the attack as barbaric, as he regretted that at the present age, people were still engaging in careless shedding of human blood.

Uchegbu called on the leaders of the community to leverage on the opportunity provided by the State Government to form local vigilante groups in order to protect the area against invasion.

He advised that while choosing members of the vigilante group, the community should endeavor to enlist people with proven character.

The State NDDC representative, enjoined the people to be security conscious and desist from any act that may lead to jungle justice by rejecting the temptation of picking up arms for revenge.

However, Uchegbu added that he did not rule out the fact that some people may hide under the guise of Fulani herdsmen to unleash mayhem.

News

ICC renamed Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre

Published

12 hours ago

June 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The International Conference Centre, ICC, in Abuja has been renamed President Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre.

The new name was unveiled when the President commissioned the newly rehabilitated facility on Tuesday.

The event was witnessed by Federal Capital Territory, FCT, minister, Nyesom Wike, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President, Jibril Barau, among others.

The facility was reportedly renovated at a cost of N39 billion.

Other projects executed in the FCT are to be commissioned by Tinubu ahead of the Democracy Day celebration on June 12, 2025.

FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, was seen dancing at the commissioning ceremony.

The facility was shut down for rehabilitation in April 2024.