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About 25 Percent Nigerians Openly Defecate, Laments FG

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About 25 Percent Nigerians Openly Defecate, Laments FG

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has decried that about 25 percent of people living in the country still defecate openly, insisting that this has led to high rate of diarrhea that is the second highest killer of children in Nigeria.

Nigeria is populated by over 200 million people, and according to the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas has about 48 million people still practicing open defecation.

Speaking at a joint press briefing of the Ministries of Environment, and Water Resources and Sanitation to highlight the activities scheduled for the World Toilet Day, Abbas said this year’s theme: ‘Accelerating Change’ “is quite apt as it inspires every individual to take personal action to help improve toilets and sanitation systems. It underscores the fact that every sector and every Nigerian can do something and has a role to play in tackling the sanitation crisis.”

He noted that “toilets are a foundation stone of public health and they play an important role in protecting the environment. They effectively and hygienically remove human waste away from the home, reducing the exposure our loved ones have to human waste and diseases.

“Unfortunately, toilets and the sanitation systems that support them are underfunded, poorly managed or neglected in many parts of the world including Nigeria with devastating consequences for health, economics and the environment particularly in the poorest and most marginalized communities. Right now, about 4.2 billion people in the world live without safe toilets and about 48 million Nigerians still practice open defecation, as many people still use the bush and water bodies as their regular means for excreta disposal.

“Many institutions, public and private, do not have sanitary facilities and where they exist they are either not functioning or misused. Most urban areas do not have sewerage systems and safe collection of sewage. Therefore, disposal becomes a huge challenge as many of the water bodies including rivers and streams become a repository for sewage and wastewater.”

He added that: “The sanitation crisis poses a threat to our natural environment and the health of citizens, particularly women, girls and other vulnerable groups. One of the major consequences of poor excreta and sewage disposal is the high rate of diarrhoea disease which is the second cause of high morbidity and mortality rates among children under the age of five. The persistent re-occurrence of annual incidences of cholera outbreaks in some of our states are also manifestations of inadequate toilet facilities. Yet this could also be prevented through safe excreta disposal by every individual.”

Abbas revealed that: “The Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to addressing the sanitation challenges in the country and ensuring proper management of excreta. This commitment is demonstrated by Mr. President’s declaration of a state of emergency on water, sanitation and hygiene in the country and the signing of Executive Order No. 009 on Open Defecation Free Nigeria by 2025. Equally, the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with critical stakeholders has reviewed and validated the 2005 National Environmental Sanitation Policy including its policy guidelines on safe excreta and sewage disposal, which will soon be presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval.

“The Federal Ministry of Environment is also continuing with its community-based intervention on the control of open defecation programme as well as the Clean and Green Programme aimed among others at promoting the provision of safe and adequate toilets across the country, particularly in public places and ensuring proper excreta management.”

He disclosed that modern public toilets have been provided in communities and markets across the Federation under these programmes. “To strengthen the capacity of our Environmental Health Officers, this year, the Ministry renewed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India on technology transfer, technical assistance, capacity building and research development in areas of water, sanitation and environmental management. The CSE has conducted specialized training on affordable toilet designs and feacal sludge management and reuse for at least fifty (50) Environmental Health Officers and Sanitation Desk Officers across the 36 States’ Ministry of Environment including FCT.”

Abbas while highlighting the activities to mark the day which is scheduled for next Tuesday, said. “I am using this opportunity to appeal to all National, State and Local Government stakeholders in environmental sanitation not only to do the talking but take practical steps and actions individually and collectively as agents of change to ensure everyone has access to toilets in their domain. Likewise, all commercial entities such as petrol stations, shopping malls etc are encouraged to launch functional toilet facilities for the public as part of their corporate social responsibilities.”

On his part, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev said: “The Government recognizes that access to adequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services is a critical factor for the socio-economic development of any nation with implications for human capital outcomes such as early childhood survival, health and educational attainment.

“In addition, the practice of open defecation due to the dearth of sanitation facilities is directly correleated with sanitation-related diseases, poor educational outcomes and loss of productivity. This is beside such as other consequences such as the concomitant lack of dignity, inconvenience and violence experienced by women and girls, when practising open defecation.”

He said: “In recognition of the cross-cutting nature of the Government’s interventions, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is collaborating with other partners under the auspices of the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) in commemorating the 2023 World Toilet Day. The commemoration activities are targeted at mobilizing actions at all levels through building synergy to improve sustainable access to sanitation in the country. It is our target to reach every Nigerian with a message on safe toilets and sanitation systems in the course of these engagements. The modest achievements recorded through our interventions were made possible through the collaboration of partners. I will be remise without acknowledging their partnership and support for our initiatives in the Sanitation and Hygiene Sector.”

About 25 Percent Nigerians Openly Defecate, Laments FG

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Crime

Lifeless new born baby found in a pit Monguno IDP camp, Borno

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Lifeless new born baby found in a pit Monguno IDP camp, Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

The Borno State Police Command has launched an investigation into the suspected infanticide of a newborn whose lifeless body was discovered in a pit toilet at the Kuya Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Monguno.

Zagazola gathered reliably that the incident occurred on April 24, 2025, at about 0630hrs when the camp chairman, Faki Isa, reported the discovery. The newborn’s body was found in the toilet, and it is believed the baby may have been abandoned there by an unknown woman.

A team of investigators visited the scene, and the body was taken to the General Hospital Monguno, where it was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. The corpse was later released to the Kuya IDP Camp chairman for burial.

No arrests have been made so far, but the investigation is ongoing with efforts to trace the individual responsible for the crime.

Lifeless new born baby found in a pit Monguno IDP camp, Borno

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Hisbah in Katsina Brutalizes Lady in a Case of Lawlessness and Impunity

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Hisbah in Katsina Brutalizes Lady in a Case of Lawlessness and Impunity

By Zagazola Makama

The brutal assault of a young woman, Hauwa’u Lawal Suleiman, and her sisters at the Katsina Hisbah office on April 15 has triggered widespread outrage and drawn fresh attention to the conduct of the state’s religious enforcement agency.

Eyewitnesses say Hauwa’u had gone to the Hisbah office to inquire about relatives allegedly detained by the operatives. What began as a simple inquiry reportedly ended in violence, as she was assaulted by about 20 Hisbah personnel, resulting in serious injuries, including a fracture. Her sisters, who were present and pleaded with the operatives to stop the attack, were also allegedly beaten and subjected to degrading treatment.

The shocking incident has once again raised concerns over the operational methods and legal limitations of Hisbah in Katsina State. While the agency is mandated to enforce moral standards under Sharia principles, critics argue that its operatives often act outside the bounds of the Nigerian constitution and without adherence to due process.

Legal experts say that although Hisbah is legally recognized under state law, it remains obligated to operate within the confines of the Nigerian legal framework. The growing number of complaints about unlawful raids, arbitrary arrests, and use of physical punishment without judicial oversight has led to calls for a comprehensive review of its operations.

Civic groups and legal observers in Katsina cite this latest incident as part of a broader pattern of human rights abuses allegedly carried out by Hisbah. They allege that the agency disproportionately targets young people, women, and the poor under vague pretexts such as “immoral gatherings” or “suspicious behavior.”

The Katsina State Government has yet to issue an official response to the incident. However, increasing public pressure is mounting for a full-scale investigation and disciplinary actions against any operatives found culpable. The absence of formal law enforcement training, lack of investigative procedures, and limited understanding of suspects’ rights are being pointed out as contributing factors to Hisbah’s alleged misconduct.

In a related development, Amnesty International has issued a strong condemnation of the assault, describing it as “lawless and callous.” The organization called on the Katsina State Government to immediately investigate the incident and hold the perpetrators accountable.

“Suspected Hisbah operatives that played a role in the assault on Hauwa’u Lawal Suleiman and her sisters must be identified and tried for gross violation of human rights,” Amnesty said in a statement.

The human rights group also alleged that the Hisbah in Katsina has routinely violated citizens’ rights through illegal raids and arbitrary punishments, particularly targeting women and youths. It warned that the unchecked actions of the agency were fostering a climate of fear and impunity.

“Hisbah cannot operate outside of the law. Failure of the Katsina State Government to subject Hisbah to legal accountability breeds and perpetuates impunity, creating a toxic climate of fear,” Amnesty added.

As the dust settles on this disturbing incident, the state faces renewed demands for regulatory clarity, institutional reform, and justice for the victims. For many observers, this case could be a turning point in how religious law enforcement is balanced with the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens.

Hisbah in Katsina Brutalizes Lady in a Case of Lawlessness and Impunity

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Crime

Herder killed, 40 cows rustled in Taraba village

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Herder killed, 40 cows rustled in Taraba village

By Zagazola Makama

A 30-year-old herder, Muazu Anaruwa, was killed and 40 cows rustled by suspected bandits in Kogon Dutse village, Old Muri district of Taraba State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident, which occurred on April 22, came to light after Muazu’s father, Alhaji Audu Anaruwa, reported that his son had gone out to graze their cattle but failed to return home.

Police operative later discovered Muazu’s body in the grazing area, bearing what appeared to be a bullet wound, while all the livestock were missing.

Local sources described the attack as a case of banditry and cattle rustling. The body of the deceased was evacuated to the Primary Healthcare Centre in Andami, where a medical officer confirmed his death.

He has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

Police say efforts are ongoing within the local security network, including hunters and vigilantes, to track the perpetrators and recover the stolen cattle.

Herder killed, 40 cows rustled in Taraba village

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