The Nigerian government says it will begin tracking social media accounts run by terrorists following a disturbing infiltration of the space by insurgents and bandits.

In recent times, known terrorists and bandit leaders have been using different social media platforms to either propagate their agenda or taunt security operatives, with some daring authorities to engage them in direct combat.

A new Islamist terror group, Lakurawa, was also discovered to be using social media platforms to spread their propaganda and recruit young Nigerians with monetary incentives .

Others like notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji go as far as displaying wads of cash they collect as ransom for kidnapped victims or announcing give aways.

In recent videos he has posted on TikTok, Turji has been seen brandishing weapons and calling out the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen. Chris Musa, challenging the military to come and get him.

Worried by the ugly trend, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters has now resolved to start tracking such social media accounts.

National Coordinator of yhf Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, who revealed the plans, said the government was actively working to counter the trend by terrorists.

“Yes, we have noticed it and are taking actions against such trends,” Laka said while fielding question from journalists on whether the centre was aware of the increased usage of social media by terrorists.

Laka who however dismissed threats by terrorist groups as mere propaganda aimed at instilling fear in Nigerians, urged citizens to remain calm and disregard such statements.

“These threats are part of their propaganda to create fear among the population. Nigerians should disregard them,” he said, while describing terrorists in the country as cowards, challenging them to a direct combat with the security agents to prove themselves.

“If the terrorists are that bold and equipped, let them inform the security agencies where they are and invite them to a fight. But the truth is they are cowards,” he added.

The Small-Scale Farmers Development Agency (SAFADA) of Zambia has warned of uncertainty on the future of the agricultural sector, stating that its outlook over the next 25 years remains uncertain and gloomy.

The Executive Director of SAFADA, Boyd Moobwe, who raised the concerns in a telephone interview with Zambia Monitor on Saturday, expressed regrets that the agric sector was facing critical challenges that could hinder its contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and overall economic growth by 2030.

Moobwe admitted that the rapid changes in agriculture due to new technologies and innovations, has been slow amid the inconsistent implementation of these advancements which raises questions about the sector’s ability to survive amidst the growing threats of climate change, political instability, and economic difficulties.

The SAFADA Director pointed out that many of the problems plaguing agriculture were self-inflicted.

“The current measures for agricultural and rural financing are inadequate due to poor data analysis and utilisation,” Moobwe said.

Agriculture, he said, “had the potential to revive the economy if proper policies were introduced and if small-scale farmers were fully involved in planning and implementing agricultural projects.”