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Kaduna Communities Pay Millions Of Naira To Bandits Before Accessing Farms-BEPU

Published

4 years ago

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Governor Nasiru Ahmad El-rufai

 

Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (Union) observes how farmers in various communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State have became so helpless and resorted to negotiations with Armed bandits for them to be allowed to access their farmlands and cultivate crops. Investigation revealed that the armed have been contacting these Communities for negotiations for about three years ago but did not accepted until all hopes for help from the Government were lost.

In the last three years, farming activities in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area have been seriously crippled whereby about 70 percent of farmlands were not accessible by farmers. In many Communities in the area, farmers have paid millions of Naira individually and in groups before they were allowed to access their farmlands. This has continued up to present in some Communities.

In other situations, locals have to go for free labour in the farms of some bandits warlords for their freedom to live in their Communities and access to their farmlands. This despite several calls by the people to the Government to come to their help.

These communities are presently being governed by armed bandits. The armed bandits are seeing going round freely wielding different types of riffles unchallenged. Infact, the non-presence of democratic Government in the area is undoubtable.

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It therefore based on this situation that the helpless locals were left with no other option than to accept the offer by the bandits for negotiation on access to farmlands.

These negotiations have allowed farmers in various Communities that were sacked before by the armed bandits (such as Katakaki, Ganda, Mashigi, Ginsa, Biskin, Layin Mai-Gwari, Kwasa-Kwasa and many others) access to their farmlands that were not accessible for about three years ago.

However, many farmers are in a state of uncertainty on whether these negotiations will last to allow all the farmers to harvest their crops at the end of the season.

Some of the agreements reached at the negotiations on the side of the farmers include allowing the farmers to access their farmlands without kidnapping or any form of intimidation or harm by the armed bandits while the armed bandits should be allowed to be coming to towns and villages where the peace deals were entered for healthcare, buying and selling as well as any other normal business.

Investigation revealed that, many bandits also farm in those Communities where these peace deals were entered. For instance, the notorious bandits warlord, Dogo Kachalla Gide, farms in Mashigi area where about five Tractors harrowed his large farm in the area. The farm, though under Birnin-Gwari soil, is neighbouring Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Findings also revealed that, despite the negotiations, though bandits may be said to have suspended kidnappings and attacks in some of these Communities, there are many cases where the armed bandits continued to snatch motorcycles and other valuables they found from farmers; though, with continuous consultations and discussion between the two sides’ negations teams, the breach of agreements are being addressed gradually by both sides.

However, BEPU observes these negotiations as temporary short time measure because the helpless Communities entered it on the side of weakness which is also tantamount to total anarchy.

In a statement by BEPU Spokesperson Ishaq Usman Kasai said they wouldn’t relent on our continuous call to Government to adopt any measure, carrot or stick, it finds suitable and capable in controlling and preventing criminal and terrorist activities vis a vis bringing an end to anarchy in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area and other parts of Nigeria.

 

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Labour Party Returns to Its Roots: A Chance for Reform and Grassroots Mobilization

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12 hours ago

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March 7, 2026

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After months of legal and political contest, the Labour Party appears to be returning to the control of its founding base Nigeria’s organized labour movement and grassroots supporters. Party insiders told reporters that the shift marks “a re‑alignment with the original vision of the Labour Party as a workers’ platform.”

The Labour Party was originally established with strong backing from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria. According to labour historians, the party was designed to provide workers, professionals, and ordinary citizens with a political platform that represents their interests.

However, analysts note that the party’s recent surge in popularity attracted many political actors, creating internal struggles over leadership and direction. The dispute eventually reached the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which on 5 April 2025 ruled that political parties must operate according to their constitutions and internal democratic principles. Legal experts described the judgment as “a landmark decision reinforcing party discipline.”

Labour leaders say the ruling represents an opportunity to rebuild the party around its original ideology of social justice and people‑centered governance. Speaking in Kano, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, Assistant Secretary of the NLC Kano Council, emphasized that “this is a chance to restore the Labour Party’s founding mission as the political voice of Nigeria’s working people.”

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Stakeholders argue that to prevent future hijack, the party must strengthen internal democracy, ensure transparent primaries, and create institutional roles for labour organizations in its decision‑making structures. According to party officials, clear membership verification and strong disciplinary measures will also be necessary to discourage opportunistic infiltration.

Beyond internal reforms, Labour Party leaders believe the real task is rebuilding grassroots structures across the country. In a statement, senior officials explained that mobilizing trade unions, youth groups, professionals, and community networks will be key to transforming the party into a strong mass movement.

Political observers caution that the coming months will determine whether the party can consolidate its base and maintain its identity as a genuine workers’ platform. One analyst noted that “the Labour Party’s survival depends on whether it can balance its grassroots appeal with the pressures of national politics.”

For many supporters, the moment represents more than a leadership victory. As Comrade Ibrahim put it, “At last, the Labour Party has returned to its roots, underscoring the need for persistent reform, visibility, and mobilization to guard against political hijack. A stitch in time saves nine.

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Ambassadorial Posting: FFK, Reno Posted to Germany, Mexico

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1 day ago

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March 6, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the postings of 31 career and 34 non-career ambassadors to various countries and the United Nations.

In the list which was released by Bayo Onanuga, Presidential spokesman, on Friday afternoon, a total of 65 ambassadors and High Commissioners were posted across the country.

The Senate confirmed the ambassadors-designate last December last year.

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmud Yakubu, was posted to Qatar, Femi Fani-Kayode was posted to Germany, while Reno Omokri was posted to Mexico.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahin was posted to the United Nations; former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau was posted to China, while ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is the new ambassador to Spain.

Below is the list:

POSTINGS OF NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS

S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED
1. SENATOR GRACE BENT: LOME-TOGO
2. SEN. ITA ENANG: SOUTH AFRICA
3. IKPEAZU VICTOR: SPAIN
4. NKECHI LINDA UFOCHUKWU: TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL
5. MAHMUD YAKUBU: QATAR
6. PAUL OGA ADIKWU: THE VATICAN CITY HOLY SEE
7. VICE ADMIRAL IBOK-ETE EKWE IBAS: THE PHILIPPINES
8. MR. RENO OMOKRI: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
9. HON. (ENGR.) ABASI BRAIMAH (FMHR): BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
10. MRS. ERELU ANGELA ADEBAYO: PORTUGAL
11. BARR. OLUMILUA OLUWAYIMIKA AYOTUNWA: TOKYO, JAPAN
12. RT. HON. UGWUANYI IFEANYI LAWRENCE: ATHENS, GREECE
13. BARR. CHIOMA PRISCILLA OHAKIM: WARSAW, POLAND
14. AMINU DALHATU: UNITED KINGDOM, UK
15. LT. GEN ABDULRAHMAN BELLO DAMBAZAU: BEIJING, CHINA
16. HON. TASIU MUSA MAIGARI: GAMBIA
17. OLUFEMI PEDRO: AUSTRALIA
18. BARR. MUHAMMED UBANDOMA ALIYU: ARGENTINA
19. LATEEF KAYODE ARE: USA
20. AMB. JOSEPH SOLA IJI: RUSSIA
21. SEN. JIMOH IBRAHIM: UN PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
22. FEMI FANI KAYODE: GERMANY
23. PROF. ISAAK FOLORUNSO ADEWOLE: OTTAWA, CANADA
24. AJIMOBI FATIMA FLORENCE (F): AUSTRIA
25. MRS. LOLA AKANDE (F): SWEDEN
26. AYODELE OKE: FRANCE
27. YAKUBU N. GAMBO: SAUDI ARABIA
28. SENATOR PROF. NORA LADI DADUUT: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
29. BARR. ONUEZE CHUKWUJIKA JOE OKOCHA SAN: DUBLIN
30. DR. KULU HARUNA ABUBAKAR: TUNIS, TUNISIA
31. RT. HON. JERRY SAMUEL MANWE: PORT OF SPAIN, T&T

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POSTINGS OF CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS LIST

S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED
1. AMB. NWABIOLA EZENWA CHUKWUMEKA: COTE D’IV/OIRE
2. BESTO MAIMUNA IBRAHIM: NIAMEY-NIGER
3. MONICA OKWUCHUKWU ENEBECHI: SAO TOME, STP
4. AMB. MOHAMMED MAHMUD LELE: ALGIERS-ALGERIA
5. ENDONI SYNDOPH PAEBI: OUAGADOUGOU-BURKINA FASO
6. AHMED MOHAMMED MONGUNO: CAIRO EGYPT
7. AMB.JANE ADAMS (NEE OKON) MICHAEL (F): KINGSTON-JAMAICA
8. AMB. CLARK-OMERU ALEXANDRA (F): LUSAKA-ZAMBIA
9. CHIMA GEOGGREY LIOMA DAVID: BAMAKO-MALI
10. AMB. ODUMAH YVONNE EHINOSEN: MALABO –E/GUINEA
11. AMB WASA SEGUN IGE: BEIRUT, LEBANON
12. RUBEN ABIMBOLA SAMUEL (F): ROME, ITALY
13. AMB.ONAGA OGECHUKWU KINGSLEY: MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE
14. AMB.MAGAJI UMAR: KINSASHA, DR CONGO
15. AMB.MUHAMMAD SAIDU DAHIRU: NEW DELHI-INDIA
16. AMB. ABDUSSALAM HABU ZAYYAD: DAKAR-SENEGAL
17. AMB SHEHU ILU BARDE: ACCRA GHANA
18. AMB.AMINU NASIR: ETHIOPIA
19. ABUBAKAR MUSA MUSA: N’DJAMENA, CHAD
20. AMB. HAIDARA MOHAMMED IDRIS: THE HAGUE-NETHERLANDS
21. AMB.BAKO ADAMU UMAR: RABAT-MOROCCO
22. AMB. SULU GAMBARI OLATUNJI AHMED: MALAYSIA
23. AMB.ROMATA MOHAMMED OMOBOLANLE (F): TANZANIA
24. AMB. SHAGA JOHN SHAMAH: BOTSWANA
25. SALAU, HAMZA MOHAMMED: TEHRAN, IRAN
26. AMB.IBRAHIM DANLAMI: KENYA
27. IBRAHIM ADEOLA MOPELOLA (F): COTONOU-BENIN
28. AMB.AYENI ADEBAYO EMMANUEL: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
29. AMB.AKANDE WAHAB ADEKOLA: BERNE-SWITZERLAND
30. AMB. AREWA (NEE ADEDOKUN) ESTHER (F): WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA
31. AMB.GERGADI JOSEPH JOHN: LIBREVILLE-GABON
32. AMB. LUTHER OGBOMODE AYO-KALATA (F): SIERRA LEONE
33. DANLADI YAKUBU NYAKU : KHARTOUM-SUDAN
34. BELLO DOGON-DAJI HALIRU: BANGKOK, THAILAND

The statement added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agreement from the United Kingdom for the High Commissioner-designate, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu.

Similarly, France has sent the agreement for Ambassador Ayo Oke.

It added that the Ministry has also conveyed the nominations of the other 62 designated envoys to all the countries concerned, including a request for their agreements in line with standard diplomatic practice.

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FG Launches N250 Billion Single-Digit Loan Scheme for Smallholder Farmers

Published

1 day ago

on

March 6, 2026

By

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The federal government has launched a N250 billion credit facility for smallholder farmers, channeled through the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) to provide much-needed access to credit at a single-digit interest rate. The initiative is designed to bolster agricultural productivity and enhance food security across the nation.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this during the Quarterly Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement Session held on Friday in Abuja. He explained that a key priority for the ministry involves strengthening agricultural insurance and finance mechanisms by leveraging institutions such as the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), the National Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).

In the past two years, the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation has provided risk cover worth N700 billion to 199,275 farmers, generating N2.43 billion in premium income while paying out N200 million in claims to enhance farmers’ resilience. The newly announced credit facility aims to build on such efforts by supporting food production, improving mechanisation, and creating sustainable livelihoods.

The Minister emphasised that the ministry’s overarching mission is to accelerate growth in the agricultural sector by boosting productivity and creating economic opportunities. He described the stakeholder engagement session as a critical step toward ensuring transparency and incorporating public feedback into government programmes.

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Over the last two years, several initiatives have been implemented to strengthen the agricultural sector. These include the distribution of more than 1.9 million bags of fertilisers to nearly one million farmers, alongside 12,000 litres of organic fertilisers to promote sustainable soil management.

To combat the circulation of counterfeit fertilisers, the government has prosecuted offenders, constructed a National Reference Laboratory, and upgraded the National Fertiliser Management Platform to enhance quality control and transparency. Additionally, 109 fertiliser inspectors and over 329 industry stakeholders have received training on regulatory compliance.

International collaborations have also been established with Russia, Türkiye, India, and Canada to facilitate technology transfer and improve fertiliser production capacity. More than 3,500 farmers have been trained on organic fertilisers and soil management techniques to encourage sustainable agricultural practices.

The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has been driving transformative change through research and development, focusing on crop production and varietal improvement. The council has distributed 40 million cocoa seedlings aimed at revitalising the nation’s cocoa industry, supporting long-term plantation development and boosting export potential.

Meanwhile, the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has recorded significant milestones over the past two years in advancing the agricultural sector.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the engagement forum as a reflection of President Bola Tinubu’s governing philosophy rooted in transparency, participation, and accountability.

He stressed that governance must remain open and responsive to the people, adding that his ministry is committed to bridging the gap between policy decisions and public awareness. “Communication is not propaganda; it is accountability,” he said, noting that citizens should be well-informed and given the opportunity to provide feedback on government initiatives.

In his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Marcus Ogunbiyi, underscored that transforming Nigeria’s agricultural and food systems is not merely an aspiration but an urgent national imperative.

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