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Borno Flood: KACRAN Applauds Donors to Affected Victims
Borno Flood: KACRAN Applauds Donors to Affected Victims
By: Michael Mike
The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has applauded those that have come out to donate for the needs of those affected by the flooding of Maiduguri and its environs.
Among those commended by KACRAN are the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Chief Medical Director of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, among other donors.
In a statement signed by its National President, Hon Khalil Bello, the association said: “It’s a real undeniable fact that sequel to the recent unexpected highly devastating flood in Maiduguri which unfortunately resulted in many loss of lives, and the destruction of houses, shops, properties worth billions of naira, roads, bridges, and other infrastructural facilities, no one would call the name of Maiduguri without immediately remembering the flood under reference today.
“We made the above assertion for the fact that it could be recalled, last two weeks Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State was seriously hit by a devastating flood flowing an unexpected overflow of water from the Alau Dam, that drew worldwide attention on the immediate need for timely intervention to save the people’s lives and properties.
“As a result, apart from the Borno State government where the incident happened, many institutions, nongovernmental organisations, donor agencies, and philanthropists instantly moved to Maiduguri from within and outside the country and actively partake in the gigantic rescue operation, which involved about two million people based on the official report from Borno State government.
“Amongst the Institutions that played a remarkable role in the said rescue operation, is the North East Development Commission (NEDC), under the able leadership of its Managing Director Alhaji Mohammed Goni Alkali, accompanied by the Commission’s management team that includes the Director of Finance and Admin Dr. Garba Iliya, which as usual played both Fatherly and Motherly role by donating a substantial amount to the tune of N3 billion and large quantity of food items to support the victims of the flood disaster and Small businesses owners affected by the incident.
“The Commission also embarked on the reconstruction of bridges affected by the water flooding in Taraba, Yobe, Bauchi, and Adamawa, in addition to the routine maintenance of most of the dilapidated roads that link the six North Eastern States.
“In the same vein, as part of its ongoing commitments, it has graciously done a lot to elevate the people’s suffering caused by the insurgency, flooding, and other unforeseen natural/man-made disasters.
“It has promised to be involved in the rehabilitation of the affected facilities as well as attending to environmental issues like cleaning the town and WASH intervention.
“We also commend NEDC for the reason that, for more than two weeks now, starting from the Commission’s members of management board who are busy visiting the side of the places where flooding took place, the Borno State governor and some key Royal Highnesses making heavy fulfilled promises and its staff who day and night sacrifice their lives in rescuing the people who were trapped by the water flood and were giving the first aid support.
“Another appreciable role NEDC is playing in some cities and major towns of the region to avoid water flooding is cleaning the drainages to allow water to move freely without going into people’s houses or shops.
“Once more, KACRAN wishes to express its deepest appreciation to NEDC, the highly committed members of its management board, and its workaholic staff for proving to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, people of North East, Nigerians, and the world in general that they are capable to transparently rebuild/develop not only North East but Nigeria at a whole, hence the need to Federal government to give them more financial support to continue with their good work of improving the life standard of the people of North East, giving continuous support to our security operative which has greatly assisted in removing the name of North East as the number one region faced by insecurity challenges in the country and coming to the aid of people of the region at any particular time of need..
“KACRAN also wants to immensely thank NEDC for rebuilding the culverts and bridges that were destroyed by water flooding in the region, the reconstruction of which relinked our people who mainly live in the bushes and weekly use to move from one market to another for selling their goods and buying what they rely on for their survival.
Similarly, KACRAN wants to extend its commendation to Mr, President, his able Vice Senator Kashim Shettima, the iron governor of Borno State Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, governors of various States of the federation who paid a courtesy visit to Maiduguri, National and international Donor agencies, philanthropists and other leaders in the country who went to Maiduguri to sympathize and commensurate with the good people of Maiduguri over the flood which had affected nearly half of Maiduguri town.
“Yobe State Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni, who led a strong delegation to Maiduguri and donated money and food items on his behalf and Yobe State Government and also directed the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) under the able leadership of its Executive Secretary, Dr Mohammed Goje to immediately relocate to Maiduguri with their working tools to actively participate in the Maiduguri rescue operation is a wisely, friendly and brotherhood administration’s decision that deserve highest commendation and multiple applaud.
“KACRAN’S special commendation to Governor Buni does not mean He or Yobe State are the major Donors in the Maiduguri water flood incident, but rather due to the uniqueness of his intervention, because to KACRAN’S knowledge, this is the first time in the history of Nigeria when a whole SEMA with its entire operational team might completely move to another State for rescue operations.
“Moreover, we want to use this medium to thank and highly recommend the Chief Managing Director of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmad Ahijo, who expertly, skillfully, experienced, and administratively handled the most dangerous issue of the water flooding into the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, by furiously evacuating the Hospital Patients to upstairs to rescue their lives from the dangerousness of the water flooding which killed several healthy people in the Maiduguri and its environs and thanks to Almighty Allah non of the Maiduguri Teaching Hospital Patients were reported death as a result of the flooding, which is a great achievement to him and the entire management staff of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
“Preventing people from approaching the places where expensive Machines that use nuclear energy are to avoid any affection from radiation that comes out from the nuclear machines in case of any leakage and inviting experts in nuclear science to come to Maiduguri to assess the health/effectiveness of the said Nuclear Machines is another breakthrough to be reckoned with by the CMD because even in Europe, the United States of America or any developed nation in the world this is the highest stage of expertise.”
Borno Flood: KACRAN Applauds Donors to Affected Victims
NCoS Dismisses Claims of Prisons as TB Hotbeds, Reaffirms Strong Disease Control Measures
By: Michael Mike
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has rejected claims that custodial centres across the country have become “hotbeds” for tuberculosis (TB), describing such assertions as misleading, alarmist, and unsupported by verified data.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, the Service spokesperson, Jane Osuji faulted a report published by Daily Trust on January 3, 2026, titled “How Nigerian Prisons Became Tuberculosis Hotbeds,” insisting that the narrative failed to reflect the realities within Nigeria’s correctional facilities.
According to the NCoS, while it welcomes responsible media engagement on public health and inmate welfare, the report relied on sweeping generalisations and unverified claims, despite the Service having provided the reporter with detailed and factual information on tuberculosis prevention and treatment in custodial centres.
“The portrayal of custodial centres as unchecked tuberculosis hotbeds is misleading and unfair,” the Service said, adding that some of the names and cases cited in the report do not exist in the records of any correctional facility known to the Service.
The NCoS noted that tuberculosis remains a global public health challenge affecting both custodial and non-custodial populations, stressing that Nigeria’s TB response is coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP), in line with World Health Organization guidelines.
It explained that the Service is an active stakeholder in the national TB response, operating health clinics across custodial centres nationwide and working closely with the NTBLCP, federal and state ministries of health, non-governmental organisations, and development partners.
These collaborations, the Service said, support routine TB screening, laboratory diagnosis, treatment initiation, adherence monitoring, and referral to secondary or tertiary health institutions where required. Inmates diagnosed with tuberculosis are placed on nationally approved treatment regimens at no cost.
The NCoS further outlined that healthcare management in custodial centres includes medical screening upon admission, periodic health assessments, infection prevention and control measures, isolation of infectious cases when clinically indicated, and structured referral systems to external hospitals.
While acknowledging challenges such as congestion in some urban custodial facilities and ageing infrastructure, the Service stressed that these issues do not amount to neglect of inmate welfare. It highlighted ongoing decongestion efforts through jail delivery exercises, collaboration with the judiciary, and the expansion of non-custodial measures provided for under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act.
The Service also recalled its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that despite custodial centres being classified globally as high-risk environments, proactive screening, isolation protocols, and close collaboration with public health authorities ensured that no active COVID-19 cases were recorded in custodial centres nationwide.
According to the NCoS, this experience demonstrates its institutional capacity and preparedness to manage communicable diseases, including tuberculosis, within custodial settings.
The statement added that the Federal Government has approved the recruitment of additional medical and healthcare professionals to further strengthen health service delivery, disease surveillance, and treatment programmes across custodial centres.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the health, dignity, and human rights of persons in custody, the Nigerian Correctional Service said it remains open to constructive criticism but will continue to challenge reports that misinform the public or unjustly malign the institution.
NCoS Dismisses Claims of Prisons as TB Hotbeds, Reaffirms Strong Disease Control Measures
US Invasion of Venezuela: ECOWAS Urges Restraint, Backs Dialogue
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has expressed concern over the recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and respect international law.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, ECOWAS acknowledged the right of states to combat international crimes such as terrorism and drug trafficking but stressed that such efforts must be carried out in line with established principles of international law.
The regional bloc reminded the international community of the obligation to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, as provided under Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter.
ECOWAS said it fully aligns with the African Union’s position, articulated in a statement released on 3 January 2026, which urged restraint and encouraged inclusive dialogue among the people of Venezuela as a means of addressing the country’s challenges.
The statement comes amid heightened tensions in Venezuela following reports of foreign military actions and growing international reactions to the evolving security and political situation in the South American country. Venezuela has in recent years faced prolonged political instability, economic hardship, and international pressure, leading to sharp divisions both domestically and globally over how best to address the crisis.
ECOWAS reiterated its solidarity with the Venezuelan people and called on all states to respect Venezuela’s independence and territorial integrity. The bloc expressed support for efforts by Venezuelans to determine the future of their country through an inclusive and peaceful process.
The West African regional body joins a growing list of international and regional organisations advocating de-escalation and dialogue as tensions continue to draw global attention.
US Invasion of Venezuela: ECOWAS Urges Restraint, Backs Dialogue
Troops neutralise seven terrorists, rescue hostages in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, have neutralised seven terrorists and rescued three abducted persons during coordinated clearance and ambush operations in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno.
Zagazola Makama reliably informed that the latest encounters occurred in the early hours of Saturday under Operation Desert Sanity V.
According to the sources, troops operating in conjunction with members of the Hybrid Force and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) made contact with terrorists at about 4:40 a.m. at Sojiri, a known terrorist crossing point in Konduga LGA.
“During the firefight, five terrorists were neutralised, while three hostages kidnapped by the terrorists were successfully rescued. One AK-47 rifle was also recovered,” the sources said.
They added that no casualty was recorded on the side of own troops, with no personnel killed, wounded or missing.
In a related operation, the main advancing force into terrorist territory was reported to be about four kilometres short of the crossing point at Kana after commencing movement from a harbour position.
The sources said contact was made by an ambush team between Meleri and Ngirbua, where two additional terrorists were neutralised and one AK-pattern rifle recovered.
Zagazola reports that Operation Desert Sanity V is part of sustained offensive actions by the Nigerian military aimed at degrading terrorist networks, blocking movement corridors and rescuing abducted civilians across the North East.
Troops neutralise seven terrorists, rescue hostages in Borno
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