By Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi state government said, in a swift response, had killed thousand of quelea birds devastating rice farmlands in five local governments of state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Alhaji Shehu Mu,azu said Kebbi government, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, upon receipt of the movements of the birds, immediately activated control mechanism and killed thousand of them ravaging farmlands in Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo, Bunza, Gwandu and Argungu through rapid spray of chemicals by trained experts.
He added that efforts are ongoing to include aerial spray to completely annihilate them, but the ministry awaits approval from security agencies and aviation for space permission, because there are many no fly zones due to security concerns.
“We will continue with the ground operation where human can reach to kill and chase them away from farmlands in the affected local councils and to as well prevent the spread of the birds to farms in the state”.
Mu’azu warned members of the public against consuming the killed birds saying chemicals used in eliminating them are harmful to humans, and so they must stay away from the birds.
He stressed that Kebbi state government is committed to protecting farmlands against the migrating birds even as he commiserated with farmers whose farms were devastated before the response as the birds caught everyone unawares.
As part of continuous efforts to contain the birds spread, the Commissioner said Kebbi state government is working closely with neighbouring states like Sokoto and Zamfara to stem the scourge he added.