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About 26.5 million may grapple with food insecurity in 2024- Report
About 26.5 million may grapple with food insecurity in 2024- Report
By: Michael Mike
About 26.5 million Nigerians may grapple with high level of food insecurity in 2024, according to 2023 Cadre Harmonisé analysis on food insecurity.
This figure was released by the Government of Nigeria and its partners during the unveiling of the October 2023 Cadre Harmonisé analysis on food insecurity.
Also, approximately 9 million children are at risk of suffering from acute malnutrition or wasting. Of these, an alarming 2.6 million children could face Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and require critical nutrition treatment.
The Cadre Harmonisé, an initiative focused on food and nutrition analysis, conducts studies biannually (in March and October) across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). With the Government’s leadership and the United Nations (UN) system’s support, the latest projection for 2024 indicates a sharp rise from the 18.6 million people currently vulnerable to food insecurity from October to December 2023.
According to the report, several factors are driving this trend, including ongoing conflicts, climate change impacts, escalating inflation, and rising costs of both food and essential non-food commodities (in part due to the devaluation of the naira and the discontinuation of the fuel subsidy), adding that persistent violence in the north-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) hinders food availability and access, with additionally, armed banditry and kidnappings in northwest and north-central states, including Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Benue, and Niger, exacerbate the prevailing economic struggles.
According to a joint press statement on Friday by the World Food Programme, FAO, UNICEF, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, underscored the significance of the Cadre Harmonisé during a presentation in Abuja.
Represented by Mrs. Fausat Lawal, Director of Special Duties, Umekhihe highlighted that despite Government efforts, external challenges like the ongoing global economic effects of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, which disrupts food systems, persist.
Of the 18.6 million people who experience food insecurity today, 3.3 million live in the northeastern states of the BAY region. This number might rise to 26.5 million nationwide by the height of the 2024 lean season ( and to 4.4 million in the BAY states) if immediate action is not taken.
The FAO Representative ad interim in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dominique Koffy Kouacou, while calling on the Government to expand CH coverage to the remaining 10 states said, FAO would continue to support the Government and the people of Nigeria to overcome food insecurity and malnutrition.
He stated that: “In 2024, alongside our partners, FAO’s focus will be on agrifood systems transformation with deliberate attention on resilience-building, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and providing extension services.”
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that floods in October 2023 in Adamawa impacted around 8,500 households, leading to mass displacements, particularly among women, children, and the elderly. Such extreme weather patterns, linked to the El Niño phenomenon, are further undermining food security.
“Food insecurity and malnutrition are among the main drivers of humanitarian need in the BAY states,” said the head of OCHA in Nigeria, Mr. Trond Jensen.
“People have been forced to adopt negative coping mechanisms such as survival sex and child labour to stay alive. Over the past year, dozens of farmers have lost their lives, and others have been abducted or injured while eking out a living outside the security perimeters of Borno’s garrison towns due to limited farming lands and few or no livelihood options.”
UNICEF’s Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, emphasized the urgent need for action. She said, “Every child deserves proper nutrition and a life free from hunger. It’s not merely a responsibility but a moral duty for governments and the global community to ensure these rights are upheld.”
Highlighting the long-standing issue, WFP’s Country Representative, David Stevenson,said: “The hunger crisis in Nigeria, fueled by the ongoing conflict in the northeast, needs urgent addressing. Restoring peace in the northeast is critical for us to build pathways to production and achieve the northeast’s potential as the food basket of the country”.
Trend analysis for the northeastern states indicates consistently high or rising food insecurity levels since 2018. Over 4 million people have needed urgent assistance annually since June 2020.
The United Nations urges the Nigerian Government, donors, and stakeholders to commit resources and implement measures to avert a potential food and nutrition disaster, emphasizing the need for immediate support across the nation.
The Cadre Harmonisé analysis covered 26 of Nigeria’s 36 states, including the FCT. It represents a collaborative effort led by the Nigerian government, in association with regional technical agencies, UN bodies, and NGOs. The Cadre Harmonisé serves as a comprehensive tool to evaluate present and future food and nutrition scenarios.
About 26.5 million may grapple with food insecurity in 2024- Report
Bandits ambush police patrol in Katsina, four officers killed
By: Zagazola Makama
Four police officers were killed and two others injured when suspected armed bandits ambushed a patrol along the Guga–Bakori road in Katsina State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama on Wednesday that the attack occurred on Jan. 27 at about 12:45 p.m., targeting operatives of the 27 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Guga Camp, during a routine patrol.
According to the source, the driver of the patrol vehicle lost control after coming under fire, causing the vehicle to crash by the roadside. Officers who died on the spot were identified as UC ASP Abubakar Abdullahi, Insp. Umar Ahmed, and Sgt. Kailani Kabir.
The source added that the assailants carted away the officers’ weapons, including an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds, a Tokarev pistol with eight rounds, and a long-range gunner rifle.
Two other officers sustained injuries: Cpl. Daniel Japet sustained a fracture, while Cpl. Abdulaziz Sani suffered a gunshot wound.
The Area Commander, Funtua, promptly mobilised joint police alongside troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA to the scene. Victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Funtua, for autopsy and medical treatment.
Security forces have blocked all potential exit routes, and cordon-and-search operations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the missing arms.
Bandits ambush police patrol in Katsina, four officers killed
Rival bandit leaders clash as key peace enforcer is killed in Jibia axis, Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
A prominent bandit leader and key enforcer of a fragile peace arrangement in Jibia, Katsina State, Abdullahi Lantai, also known as “Lantai Officer”, has been killed in a deadly ambush linked to a rival gang.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama on Wednesday that Lantai was executed on Jan. 27 at about 1:00 p.m. by gunmen believed to be loyal to the Bello Turji-led network operating across Sokoto and Zamfara states.
According to the sources, Lantai was lured to what was described as a dialogue and reconciliation meeting following a rivalry clash between his group and the Turji faction on Jan. 24.
“The meeting was reportedly arranged by Turji and Aliyu Aliero to resolve the conflict. However, Lantai and some of his foot soldiers were ambushed and killed on their way to the venue by members of the Turji network led by Dogo Rabe and Black,” a source said.
Preliminary findings indicate that before his assassination, Lantai played a critical role in sustaining a temporary peace deal with bandit leaders in Jibia in collaboration with the Katsina State Government.
“He was a territorial gatekeeper who denied Turji’s gang freedom of action and passage through Jibia forest routes.
“He also blocked transit routes used to move rustled cattle from Zamfara to Maradi in the Republic of Niger, effectively constraining Turji’s operations within the axis,” the source added.
Zagazola warn that the killing could trigger a major escalation in violence across the Jibia axis and its environs.
“This is a calculated power grab. The Turji network appears determined to eliminate a stabilising force and expand its influence, smuggling routes and criminal economy into Katsina State,” the source said.
The threat level in the Jibia axis has now been assessed as high, with strong indications of possible retaliatory attacks by Lantai’s faction and pre-emptive assaults by Turji’s forces to consolidate control.
Residents fear that the relative calm previously enjoyed in the area may give way to renewed instability marked by kidnappings, cattle rustling and attacks on communities as rival groups struggle for dominance.
Zagazola learnt that security agencies are said to be reviewing the situation with a view to deploying robust countermeasures to prevent a total breakdown of the fragile peace in the coming days.
Rival bandit leaders clash as key peace enforcer is killed in Jibia axis, Katsina
Troops raid bandits’ hideout in Plateau, neutralise notorious kidnapper
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 2 of Operation OPEP have raided a suspected bandits’ hideout at Nahuta Village, Kadarko District in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, neutralising a notorious kidnapper during the operation.
A security source told Zagazola Makama on Wednesday that the raid was carried out on Tuesday night, Jan. 27, at about 8:30 p.m., following actionable intelligence.
According to the source, the troops came under fire from the criminals on arrival at the hideout but responded with superior firepower, forcing the bandits to flee in disarray.
“In the process, one bandit was neutralised. He was later confirmed to be a notorious kidnapper identified as Mr Timchak Zindang, who had been terrorising the general area,” the source said.
Items recovered from the scene included two locally fabricated rifles, eight cartridges, three rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one desert camouflage uniform.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the criminal syndicate was responsible for several criminal activities, including kidnapping, cattle rustling and armed robbery along the Wase–Bashir road and its environs.
The source added that efforts were ongoing to track down the other fleeing members of the gang, while further investigation into the network was in progress.
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