Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops rescue five abducted women in Katsina, recover rustled livestock in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued five abducted female victims in Katsina State and recovered rustled livestock after repelling a terrorist attack in Sokoto State.

The operations, conducted separately and driven by intelligence and support from local communities, were carried out in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina and Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto.

In Katsina, troops acted on timely information about the movement of terrorists around the Madaci Forest area of Sabuwa LGA and swiftly mobilised to intercept the criminals.

The troops’ tactical manoeuvres disrupted the terrorists, leading to the successful rescue of five female victims, including a mother and her infant, as well as three other minors and young adults.

The victims, who are originally from Danja and Funtua LGAs, were subsequently handed over to the Chairman of Bakori LGA, Hon. Abubakar Musa, for reunification with their families.

Troops have continued aggressive patrols in the area to dominate the terrain and deny terrorists freedom of movement.

In a related development in Sokoto State, troops of 248 Reconnaissance Battalion repelled a terrorist attack in Badiya village, Shagari LGA.

The troops, acting on credible intelligence regarding suspicious movements, engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to retreat into the surrounding terrain.

The fleeing terrorists abandoned a large herd of rustled livestock, which was subsequently recovered by the troops.

The recovered animals were returned to their rightful owners during a brief ceremony facilitated by the Chairman of Shagari LGA and the local District Head.

The development is expected to support ongoing efforts to restore normalcy and strengthen confidence among communities affected by terrorist activities and livestock rustling in the area.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops rescue five abducted women in Katsina, recover rustled livestock in Sokoto

MSF Celebrates Three Decades of Saving Lives on Nigeria’s Humanitarian Frontline

By: Michael Mike

Thirty years after Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) opened its humanitarian mission in Nigeria, the international medical organisation has marked three decades of reaching millions of people caught on the frontlines of disease outbreaks, displacement, emergencies and inadequate access to healthcare.

MSF, which commenced operations in Nigeria in 1996, said its three-decade journey had been defined by a sustained commitment to communities facing some of the country’s most difficult medical and humanitarian challenges.

The organisation’s intervention has spanned emergency and frontline healthcare, responses to disease outbreaks and crises, as well as medical support for vulnerable populations and communities where access to essential healthcare remains limited.

Marking the anniversary, MSF said the milestone was more than a celebration of its longevity in Nigeria, describing it as an opportunity to reflect on its partnership with Nigerian communities and the millions of people whose lives had been touched by its humanitarian work.

For three decades, the organisation has operated in an environment where emergencies can rapidly overwhelm communities and place additional pressure on an already challenged healthcare system. Its interventions have consequently taken medical services closer to people facing crises, including displaced and other vulnerable populations.

MSF said its history in Nigeria was shaped by responding to adversity and reaching people in need, regardless of the circumstances confronting them.

At the heart of the organisation’s work, it said, was the belief that access to healthcare should not be determined by privilege or circumstance.

That principle has informed its response to medical emergencies and its efforts to improve access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable groups and children.

The organisation’s 30-year presence also reflects the changing nature of Nigeria’s humanitarian and public health landscape, where disease outbreaks, displacement and emergencies continue to expose vulnerable communities to heightened health risks.

In marking the anniversary, MSF said the experiences accumulated over three decades had strengthened its commitment to working alongside communities and healthcare professionals to confront medical emergencies and improve healthcare delivery.

The organisation said it would continue its humanitarian activities in Nigeria, working with communities and health workers to respond to emergencies and strengthen access to essential medical services.

Its anniversary comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with significant healthcare needs, particularly among populations whose access to medical services is constrained by poverty, displacement, emergencies or geographic isolation.

Against that backdrop, MSF’s three decades in the country have positioned the organisation as a longstanding humanitarian medical partner, providing frontline assistance at moments when communities are most vulnerable.

Reflecting on the journey, MSF said the millions of people reached over the years remained at the centre of its anniversary, underscoring the human dimension of three decades of humanitarian service.

From its arrival in Nigeria in 1996 to its continued response to emergencies today, the organisation said its mission remained anchored on one fundamental principle: reaching people in need with medical care when and where they require it.

MSF said the commitment would remain central to its work in Nigeria as it enters another chapter of its humanitarian presence in the country.

MSF Celebrates Three Decades of Saving Lives on Nigeria’s Humanitarian Frontline

IPCR Urges Nigerians to Shun Violence, Hate Speech Ahead of 2027 Elections

By: Michael Mike

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to reject violence, inflammatory rhetoric, misinformation and disinformation as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary and prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The Institute warned that sustainable national development could not be achieved in an atmosphere of violent conflict, intolerance, exclusion and mistrust, urging political leaders and citizens to make peacebuilding and peaceful coexistence a shared responsibility.

The Director General of IPCR, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, made the call in an Independence Day statement issued on Wednesday, in which the Institute felicitated with the government and people of Nigeria on the October 1 anniversary.

Ochogwu said the anniversary provided an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey since independence, celebrate its achievements and renew their commitment to building a peaceful, united, secure and prosperous nation.

He said the resilience and determination of Nigerians who continued to contribute to national development despite the country’s challenges deserved recognition, while stressing the need to strengthen democratic institutions and national cohesion.

With the 2027 elections approaching, IPCR urged political actors and their supporters to ensure that political competition remained within the bounds of law and democratic principles.

According to the Institute, political participation should respect the rights, dignity and opinions of fellow citizens, while elections should be viewed not only as contests for political power but also as opportunities for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights and strengthen democratic governance.

IPCR specifically called on political leaders, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, the media and young people to promote dialogue, tolerance and constructive engagement in resolving disagreements.

It urged political actors and their supporters to reject actions capable of heightening tensions or undermining national cohesion, particularly inflammatory rhetoric, misinformation, disinformation and violence.

The Institute also called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, communities and civil society organisations to prevent and respond to emerging conflicts.

It recognised the sacrifices of security agencies and other peace actors working to protect communities and maintain national security, while stressing that security measures must be complemented by sustained peacebuilding and conflict-prevention efforts.

IPCR further linked lasting peace to greater social and economic inclusion, calling for increased investment in peacebuilding, early warning and early response mechanisms, youth empowerment, social inclusion and community resilience.

It identified poverty, unemployment, exclusion and social injustice among the issues requiring sustained attention if Nigeria is to address the root causes of conflict and build lasting peace.

The Institute also emphasised the importance of inclusion in national development, describing Nigeria’s diversity as a major national asset and urging citizens to see themselves as stakeholders in a common national project irrespective of ethnic, religious, political, regional or social differences.

Ochogwu reaffirmed IPCR’s commitment to supporting government and other stakeholders in strengthening Nigeria’s peace architecture and promoting dialogue, tolerance and peaceful conflict resolution.

“As Nigeria enters another year of nationhood, the Institute urges citizens to work together in the spirit of ‘one nation, one people’ to build a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous country for present and future generations,” he said.

IPCR Urges Nigerians to Shun Violence, Hate Speech Ahead of 2027 Elections