
News
Enugu to lead in production as Mbah flags off 2024 cashew season
Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, has flagged off the 2024 National Cashew Day and Cashew Season, assuring boost in the industry in order to make the state the hub of cashew production in Nigeria.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Hon Patrick Ubru, officially flagged-off the 2024 cashew trading season at an event organised by the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), in Enugu, on Wednesday, stressing that Enugu State is known as a land for cashew production in the country.
Speaking on the theme, “Transforming Nigeria cashew industry through Technology, Innovation and Inclusive policies”, Governor Mbah commended the leadership of NCAN for choosing Enugu State for this year’s event noting that the state has played a central role in the production of cashew in Nigeria over the years.
He recounted how the national production of cashew went down from splendour in the early 1960s to a distant 14th position on the rung of the ladder, far behind neighbours like Cote D’Ivoire, Benin and Mali.
Mbah said that agriculture is expected to play a significant part of driving private sector investment due to the endowment of arable lands, favourable climate patterns and also agriculture being a natural occupation of most of majority of the people in the state making cashew one of the focal crops along side cassava, rice, oil palm and variety of spices.

He expressed hope that the event would provide key stakeholders in the industry an opportunity to engage in some deep thinking about strategies required to reignite the dynamism of the industry as quickly as possible.
Mbah reassured of his commitment to continue to work closely with partners and stakeholders such as NCAN and others in making cashew one of the leading foreign exchange earners for the country and a veritable source of livelihood for the state.
Earlier, in a key note address presented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbas who was represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Dr Adeyemi Akinyemi, commended the governor for enacting policies since assumption of office which directed at the revamping of agriculture and making Enugu a productive state.
According to the Speaker, Nigeria currently ranks 6th largest producer of cashew, with an annual production of 120,000 tonnes and a trade value of ₦24 billion.
He stated that the market projection for 2030 by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council is that Nigeria will reach 300,000 metric tonnes of cashew production, solidifying the country’s place on the global stage with rapid growth in cashew kernel exports, predominantly to the USA. These, he said, were accomplished despite the traditional farming methods, insisting on possibilities of remarkable improvement through innovative technology backed up by legislation that safeguards the sector.
The President, National Cashew Association of Nigeria, Dr Ojo Joseph Ajanaku, who gave an overview of the history and roles of the Association said its vision is to make the country’s cashew industry the most reliable and credible supplier and exporter of high quality cashew products in a sustainable manner.
He said that Enugu was choosen because of the large cashew production commenced under under the Micheal Okpara administration in the defunct Eastern Region, adding that although the purpose then was primarily targeted at erosion control, unlike now that it has become of high economic value.
The high point of the event was when Governor Mbah was presented the Best Achiever Award in recognition of his contributions towards agricultural development, food security, and economic advancement by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Also in attendance were the representative of the Governor of Abia State, representative of the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, representative of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Commissioner of Agriculture Edo State, donor partners such as GIZ and NEXIM.
Business
Dangote launches ₦500,000 reward program to encourage whistleblowing
•Says illegal goods on Dangote trucks to be confiscated
Dangote Industries Limited has intensified efforts to combat illegal haulage activities involving its trucks by unveiling a public whistleblowing initiative that offers a cash reward to individuals who provide credible information leading to the arrest of offenders or the interception of unauthorized goods and transportation of persons.
The company said the initiative, which will reward whistleblowers with N500,000.00 cash award, forms part of its broader commitment to protect the integrity of its logistics operations and eliminate the activities of unscrupulous individuals who illegally use Dangote-branded trucks to transport unauthorized goods.
In a statement issued in Lagos, the management urged members of the public to support the campaign by reporting any suspected cases of illegal haulage involving Dangote trucks, stressing that only specifically approved products are permitted to be transported by vehicles belonging to its various subsidiaries.

Dangote trucks
According to the company, Dangote Cement trucks are authorized to carry only cement, limestone, high-grade gypsum, coal and clinker, while Dangote Sugar Refinery trucks are restricted to the transportation of sugar products. Trucks belonging to NASCON Allied Industries are expected to carry Dangote Salt and DanQ Seasoning products, while Dangote Packaging vehicles are designated for bags and packaging materials.

Similarly, trucks operated by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals are permitted to transport polypropylene products, while Dangote Fertiliser Limited vehicles are authorized for the haulage of urea fertilizer.
The company warned that any Dangote truck found transporting unauthorized goods would be treated as being involved in illegal haulage activities, adding that both the drivers and owners of such goods risk arrest, confiscation of the cargo and prosecution under applicable laws.
“Anyone with verifiable information that leads to the arrest of persons involved in illegal haulage activities or the recovery of unauthorized goods transported on Dangote trucks will receive a cash reward of Five Hundred Thousand Naira,” the company stated.
To aid investigations and enforcement efforts, the management of Dangote Group advised whistleblowers to provide detailed information when making reports. These include the truck type, registration plate number, cab number, location of the vehicle, description of the goods being transported, colour of the truck and photographs of the vehicle and cargo where possible.
The company has therefore established dedicated hotlines across its operations to receive reports relating to illegal haulage activities. Members of the public can report incidents involving trucks operating from the Obajana, Okpella and Gboko plants through certain dedicated telephone lines.
The Company stated that law enforcement agencies, including the Police, have been authorized to arrest any driver found using company trucks for unauthorized commercial haulage.
It reiterated its zero-tolerance stance against logistics-related fraud and called on the public to join hands with it in safeguarding legitimate business activities by exposing illegal operators.
Dangote Group emphasized that the initiative is designed not only to protect company assets and operations but also to strengthen transparency, accountability and compliance across its nationwide logistics network.
“Public cooperation remains critical in our efforts to eradicate illegal haulage activities. We encourage anyone with credible information to come forward and help us maintain the integrity of our transportation system,” the statement added.
The company reaffirmed that all reports would support ongoing efforts to protect the Dangote brand, promote lawful business practices and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.i
News
Enugu Police launch manhunt for Bus Driver, Conductor over rifle snatching, attempted murder
The Enugu State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the driver and conductor of a Mitsubishi L300 commercial bus over the alleged assault of police officers, attempted murder, dangerous driving and the snatching of an AK-47 rifle during a dramatic escape in Enugu.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, July 12, 2026, saying the incident occurred at about 1:20 p.m. on July 9 at the All Saints Roundabout along Abakaliki Road, Enugu.
According to the statement, the suspects were initially flagged by operatives of the Command’s Distress Response Squad (DRS) after the Control Room received a report that they had assaulted a traffic police officer on duty.
Ndukwe explained that rather than submit to arrest, the driver pretended to comply before suddenly accelerating in an attempt to flee.
“Acting on information received from the Command’s Control Room that the driver and conductor had assaulted a traffic police officer on duty, operatives of the Command’s Distress Response Squad (DRS) intercepted and flagged down the vehicle. However, instead of submitting to arrest, the driver deceptively slowed down before suddenly accelerating in an attempt to escape,” he stated.

The police spokesperson said the fleeing vehicle knocked down one of the DRS operatives, while the officer’s AK-47 rifle became entangled with the bus and was dragged away during the escape.
“In the process, he knocked down one of the operatives and dragged away the officer’s AK-47 rifle, which had become entangled with the vehicle,” Ndukwe added.
He said that during a hot pursuit, the suspects eventually threw the rifle out of the moving vehicle at IMT Bus Stop along Abakaliki Road before speeding off.
“During the ensuing pursuit, the suspects threw the rifle out of the vehicle at IMT Bus Stop along the same road before speeding off. The rifle was immediately recovered intact, with its ammunition,” he said.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, ordered a full-scale investigation and directed operatives to intensify efforts to apprehend and prosecute the fleeing suspects.
According to Ndukwe, the police commissioner also urged the driver and conductor to surrender themselves to the police, warning that every lawful measure was being deployed to ensure their arrest.
“CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa… has ordered a comprehensive investigation and intensified efforts to arrest and prosecute the fleeing suspects. He warned the driver and conductor to voluntarily present themselves to the Police for proper investigation, as every lawful measure is being deployed to apprehend them,” the statement read.
The commissioner also urged members of the public to ignore what he described as misleading accounts of the incident and warned against obstructing or attacking police officers performing their lawful duties.
“CP Giwa further urged the public to disregard misleading narratives surrounding the incident and cautioned against assaulting or obstructing police officers in the lawful discharge of their duties, stressing that such acts are serious criminal offences that will be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law,” Ndukwe stated.
News
Soldiers kill ISWAP cameraman, uncover foreign terrorist trainer, doctor in Borno forest
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an Islamic State West Africa Province cameraman and recovered video materials indicating the presence of three foreign facilitators, including a Palestinian Arab identified as a trainer and a Moroccan Arab serving as a medical doctor for the terrorist group in Borno State.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, the operational success was recorded on Saturday following a failed infiltration attempt by members of ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Goni said the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position and loot cholera medical supplies.
The statement read, “Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.

“The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre.”
The failed attack, he said, occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position.
“Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses,” Goni said.
According to him, the attempted looting further lends credence to recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports of the execution of some affected members by the group.
“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials.
“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded prior to the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators. They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” he added.
He said the presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals further reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.
“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses,” he added.
The Army spokesman said troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms
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