News
Children are battling escalating of alarming malnutrition in north-east- UNICEF
Children are battling escalating of alarming malnutrition in north-east- UNICEF
By: Ladi Dapson
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns of alarming rate of acute malnutrition among children due to lack of access for humanitarian workers in Marte local government area of Borno state.
According to the United Nations agency, said protracted conflict has continued to impact on the ability of households to produce food on their farmlands and this has resulted in increased food insecurity.
UNICEF Emergency Manager, Andrea Malatesta stated shortly after field mission to Marte LGA Borno State at weekend.
He said military escorts which could take 3-5 days before its available disrupt planned activities, hinder humanitarian operations, and compromise the safety of residents and personnel in the area
“Children in northeast Nigeria are battling escalating levels of malnutrition and they need immediate, and wholistic response to address this.
“Insecurity remains the number one challenge. Access to New Marte is only possible by road and humanitarian operations rely heavily on military escort to transport personnel, supplies and other critical resources to support the local population affected by conflict.
“Being an area with security concerns, military escorts or safety sweep are required for the safe movement of individuals and goods. However, the availability of such escorts is often inconsistent or unreliable, leading to potential risks and vulnerabilities,”he worried.
Mr Andrea maintained that many households do not always get nutritious food that they need, and many adopt coping strategies like skipping meals.
“With the support of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), we are making sure that the therapeutic food, supplements and medications that children with SAM need are available.
“As a result, children and pregnant and lactating mothers do not have nutritious food crucial to their survival and development, hence the high cases of MAM and SAM.
“Over 460,000 children were treated for acute malnutrition across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in 2023.
“So far this year, 8,605 children between the ages of 6-59 months have been screened for malnutrition. During these screening exercises, 2,156 malnourished children were identified, admitted into the nutrition programme and they fully recovered. (1,358 severe acute malnutrition, 798 moderate acute malnutrition).” Andrea explained.
He noted that UNICEF and partner, Monclub International is using the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) programme to ensure that no child dies of malnutrition, cholera or water borne diseases in New Marte.
Children are battling escalating of alarming malnutrition in north-east- UNICEF
Troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1 under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have rescued two kidnapped victims in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:50 a.m. on April 15 when troops deployed at Kyado responded to a distress call on kidnapping activities in the area.
According to the sources, the troops swiftly moved to the scene, prompting the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee.
The sources added that the troops successfully rescued the two victims and reunited them with their families.
Security operations have been intensified in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further incidents.
Troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Benue
Troops arrest bandit kingpin’s Deputy, wife in Gombe following intelligence operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have arrested the second-in-command to a notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Auta, alongside his wife in Gombe State following an intelligence-led tracking operation across multiple locations.
Sources said the suspects, identified as Bala, popularly known as “Pakapaka,” and his wife, Zulaha Bala, were intercepted after fleeing from Dajin Madam Forest in Plateau State.
According to the sources, the arrests were the result of sustained intelligence surveillance and coordinated ground tracking by security operatives targeting fleeing members of the criminal network.
The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation to determine their level of involvement in the group’s activities and possible connections with other cells operating within and outside the region.
In a related development, troops conducted follow-up patrols around Bayar village in the Duguri axis after intelligence indicated that the main bandit kingpin had fled into the area.
However, no contact was made during the search operation.
Security sources said troops have continued to dominate the general area with sustained patrols aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of movement and disrupting their operational networks across Plateau, Taraba, and adjoining states.
Troops arrest bandit kingpin’s Deputy, wife in Gombe following intelligence operation
Troops rescue 12 kidnapped victims, arrest kingpin’s aides in Plateau–Taraba forest operations
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops conducting ongoing clearance operations under Operation Wutan Daji have rescued 12 kidnapped victims and arrested key associates of a fleeing bandit leader during coordinated offensives across forested areas linking Plateau and Taraba States.
A military source said the operations, carried out on April 15 and 16, involved troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade in conjunction with an Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) tactical team.
According to the source, the operations were conducted in the Dajin Madam and Kumbodoro forest axis, spanning parts of Plateau and Taraba States.
The source said the sustained offensive led to the recovery of 12 kidnapped victims who escaped from their captors during the pressure mounted by troops.
The victims were subsequently taken into custody for profiling before being moved to an Internally Displaced Persons facility in Fukuk.
Troops also recovered a Dane gun, a fabricated AK-47 rifle and a power bank during the operation.
Troops rescue 12 kidnapped victims, arrest kingpin’s aides in Plateau–Taraba forest operations
Troops rescue two kidnapped victims in Benue
Troops arrest suspected ammunition racketeer in Cross River
Troops arrest bandit kingpin’s Deputy, wife in Gombe following intelligence operation
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