Migratory quelea birds have invaded rice farmlands of hundreds of acres in five local government areas of Kebbi State, in the past 72 hours, wrecking havoc of millions of Naira.
At an emergency news briefing in Birnin Kebbi, on Friday, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Shehu Mu’azu, says the state government has swung into action to contain the pests.
“Immediately we were alerted about the presence of the birds, the Ministry instantaneous made a report to the Governor who instructed us to take prompt and incisive actions to eliminate the pests.
“These birds are highly destructive and intelligent, they can ravage hundreds of hectares of farmlands within minutes.
“The birds have attacked farmlands in Argungu, Birnin Kebbi, Gwandu, Kalgo and Bunza local government areas”, he explained.
He assured that: “Government sympathises with farmers who suffered losses, assuring them government will mitigate such damage in due course, stressing that government had embarked on chemical spray and thousands of the birds were killed.
“Kebbi State is intensifying efforts to secure authorisation from the National Security High Command and the Aviation Authorities to carry out aerial spray to kill the birds”.
The State government, he said, had warned the local communities not to consume the dead birds because the Chemicals used in eliminating them because of its high toxicity.
