Metro
Thousands of farmlands submerged as ‘strange’ flood hits Kwara
Flood has washed away thousands of farmlands in Shonga, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The incident has displaced several hundred rice farmers and destroyed investments running into millions of naira across thousands of hectares.
Speaking during a visit by the state government delegation led by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Princess Bukola Babalola, Emir of Shonga, Dr Halidu Yahya Ndanusa, expressed sadness over the incident which he described as a threat to food security.
He urged the state government to carry out a thorough investigation to find the cause of the incident.
According to him, “From here up to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Mali, there was no rain. The Sahel is dry. How can there be a flood here? The source of this flood must be local.
“We have asked from Kainji Dam, and they said it wasn’t from them. But Jebba Dam could not deny it. In fact, they said they would soon close it.
“We spent several years attracting people to this place. We hope this will not happen again next year to avert food insecurity.
“The Governor has spoken to me, and he took it very seriously. I didn’t expect this delegation again, given his interventions already. We are very grateful to him for his concern and for sending this powerful delegation.
“It is very important that we get to the roots of the matter. If it is true that Jebba Dam released water, what was the reason, and who authorised it?”
Muhammad Abdulkadir, a community leader, said, “Our farmers here come from different states in the north. We have farmers from Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, and Niger State, and they have lost millions of naira worth of rice farms to this flooding.
“We definitely need the government’s assistance. When there was no flooding, we realised over 3m metric tonnes of rice here annually.
“We thank the government for coming to our aid immediately. This should not end here. We want the government to find the permanent solution to perennial flooding in this axis. The permanent solution is to dredge the River Niger”, he stated.
Speaking during the visit to the Emir and the victims of the affected community at Tada, Babalola assured the victims that the government would offer assistance to the farmers to cushion the effect of the flooding on their farms.
“We are here to see the damage done to the farms, especially the rice farms in Tada community. We have seen what happened and we are taking the message back to the Governor to see what can be done to remedy the situation.
“Also, a lot of farmers are crying here that they need a lot of support. We have heard their complaints, and help is on the way”, he noted.
Babalola thanked residents of the community for their cooperation and understanding, saying the government cares for their well-being and would support them, including establishing the causes of the flooding.
The delegation also delivered relief materials worth millions of naira for the farmers in the affected community.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, has taken direct charge of operations in Sapele following the shocking abduction of the Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, assuring residents that efforts are in top gear to secure the victim’s safe and unharmed release.
In a swift and strategic response, the police boss conducted an on-the-spot operational assessment of key locations linked to the incident, demonstrating the Command’s urgency and commitment to cracking the case.
The visit saw the CP inspect Debro Fred Guest House, the scene where the abduction reportedly took place. The facility, believed to have been the last point of contact before the Chairman was whisked away by armed men, is now central to ongoing investigations.
He also proceeded to Ogorode Waterside, where a vehicle suspected to have been used by the kidnappers was earlier recovered. The discovery is expected to provide critical leads as security operatives intensify intelligence gathering and forensic analysis to track down the perpetrators.
Speaking during the visit, CP Oyeniyi reassured the public that the Command is leaving no stone unturned.
“We are working with credible intelligence and in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure that the victim is rescued safely. Every available resource has been deployed, and we are confident of positive results,” he said.
The Commissioner also paid a solemn visit to the family of the abducted Chairman, where he met with his wife, offering words of comfort and reassurance.
“The Command shares in your pain at this difficult time. I want to assure you that we are doing everything humanly possible to secure his safe return,” he stated.
In addition, the CP visited medical facilities where victims injured during the attack are receiving treatment, further demonstrating the Command’s concern for all those affected by the incident.
The abduction, which has sent shockwaves across Sapele and beyond, is believed to have been carried out by heavily armed assailants who struck with precision, raising renewed concerns over security in the riverine axis of Delta State. Eyewitness accounts suggest the attackers operated swiftly, leaving behind chaos and injured victims in their wake.
CP Oyeniyi has, however, called for calm and cooperation from the public, stressing that community support remains a critical factor in the success of the ongoing operation.
“We urge residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information. Security is a collective responsibility, and together we can bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.
The Delta State Police Command reaffirmed its unwavering resolve to protect lives and property, assuring that decisive actions will continue until those behind the abduction are apprehended and the victim safely reunited with his family.
As investigations deepen, residents across Delta State remain hopeful that the intensified security response will yield swift results and restore confidence in the fight against violent crime.
Metro
Chief of Army Staff visits Borno to boost troops morale after death of Brigadier General, soldiers
The Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen Waidi Shaibu, has visited the north-east to boost troop morale following the killing of a Brigadier-General and soldiers in recent attacks.
Shaibu made the visit on Friday as part of an operational assessment of the security situation in the region.
He was received by Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni at the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in Damaturu.
The army chief said the visit was aimed at encouraging troops and reviewing ongoing operations, while acknowledging recent attacks on military formations.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army remains resolute in confronting security threats, stressing that the military is adjusting its strategies to address evolving challenges.
The COAS urged troops to remain aggressive in dealing with terrorists, stating that their efforts would honour fallen colleagues.
At the headquarters of Sector 2 Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Shaibu interacted with troops and charged them to sustain the fight against insurgency.
More than 2,000 residents of communities in Tsafe local government area of Zamfara state have fled their homes over fears of a reprisal attack by bandits.
The villagers reportedly abandoned their communities in the western part of the local government after security personnel vacated parts of the area.
“Some security personnel deployed to our villages vacated from their strategic points two days after neutralizing some bandits. Now we are afraid that the bandits may return,” one villager said.
Residents of Kunchin Kalgo and neighbouring villages were seen leaving with their belongings and moving towards the Tsafe local government headquarters.
Tsafe local government area chairman, Garba Panchase confirmed the development, atressing that the villagers relocated to the local government headquarters.
Panchase said the movement was triggered by rumours, adding that even though members of the civilian JTF vacated the area for redeployment, conventional security personnel remained on ground.
His words: “The people flew their communities as a result of rumours initiated by people that do not mean well for the government.”
Some villagers, however, alleged that security forces left as bandits regrouped for reprisal attacks, adding that it has heightened fear among residents.
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