ICRC to commission first wheel chair assembly plant in Borno

By: Bodunrin Kayode

In response to increased demands for easy movement by physically challenged people in Borno state, the international committee of the red cross (ICRC) will soon commission a centre for the assembly of varieties of wheel chairs for their needs.

The centre which is located at the pompomari bypass axis of the maiduguri metropolis will be commissioned before the end of December.

This was made known by the head of the physical rehabilitation centre of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) Surajo Jabo during the celebration of the international day of persons with disabilities under the theme Fostering Disability -inclusive societies for advancing social progress

He urged the Nigerian society to remember that inclusivity is the very foundation of sustainable development, social cohesion and human dignity for all which is why his organization has eight out of 24 staff who are physically challenged

Surajo noted that the centre will be able to employ about 1000 people at a time when the plant starts producing before the end of the year.

He said that about 3500 people have benefitted in terms of Prosthetic limbs in the centre from November 2020 when they started till date.

The coordinator stated that at least 300 requests are on the table waiting for their own share while the demand has increased from 25 to 30 cases monthly.

Serajo posited that about 12 cases of military personnel have also been fixed and still counting even as the insurgency war rages on.

On challenges, he told this reporter that due to the high demands for the artificial limbs, there has been an increased need for more support which is why they have extended their partnership with a lot of non governmental organizations to keep the good work going on.

Supporting his claim, Dr Babagana Waziri who is the founder for the centre for inclusion, support and advocacy for disables said that he has also been supporting challenged people in the area of health care, social inclusion, well being, and humanitarian partnership.

He added that its time the government recognized the needs of challenged people because they will always have special needs which society cannot turn away from.

The UMTH has been the major prosthetic support centre for the entire north east region of Nigeria taking care of both military and civil residents in the 16 year old insurgent war.

ICRC to commission first wheel chair assembly plant in Borno

Troops rescue 12 kidnap victims after clearance operation in mandara mountains

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 12 kidnap victims seven women and five children abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Gwoza–Limankara road in Borno State.

Zagazola reports that the victims, who were seized on Nov. 14 while travelling along the route, were freed on Sunday following a coordinated clearance operation in the Mandara Mountains under Operation Desert Sanity IV/Diligent Search.

Sources said that the rescue was conducted by troops under 26 Task Force Brigade, working jointly with hybrid forces, hunters and vigilantes.

The sources said troops launched a limited offensive in the early hours of Sunday, advancing along the Mandara Mountain foothills up to Uvaha, where they engaged the terrorists with “a high volume of fire”, forcing them to abandon the captives and flee.

“The victims, who had scattered into nearby bushes for safety during the firing, later emerged and moved towards the road, where troops rescued them at about 08:45 a.m.,” the sources added.

The rescued women were identified as Fadi Musa, Jummai Manga, Hamsatu Musa, Jummai Ali, Inna Amadu, Falmata Musa and Hadiza Hamman, alongside five children.

The victims, who trekked long distances after being abandoned, were taken to the brigade field ambulance for treatment of blisters and other injuries, with some reporting they had been severely beaten by the terrorists during captivity.

They were later provided meals and handed over to the representative of the Chairman, Gwoza Local Government Area, for reunification with their families.

Troops rescue 12 kidnap victims after clearance operation in mandara mountains

Police rescue 39 foreign nationals of alleged human trafficking in Mararraba, Nassarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police in Nasarawa State have rescued 39 victims of alleged human trafficking, including 32 males and seven females, all from Mali except one female from Ivory Coast, during an operation in the Orange Market area of Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the rescue followed a report lodged at about 10:40 a.m. by one Habi Baraji, a Malian national who speaks only French and Arabic.

Baraji reported that he was lured from Mali to Nigeria about a week ago by another Malian, identified as Abdullahi Berter, who promised him a job opportunity in France.

According to him, upon arrival at the Orange Market in Mararaba, he realised he had been deceived, as Berter allegedly began pressuring him to bring more persons from Mali into Nigeria for an undisclosed purpose.

Baraji further told security personnel that he suspected Berter was holding “many other victims” captive in a house in the area.

Based on the intelligence, a team of detectives, swiftly mobilised to the location, where they discovered 39 foreigners confined inside a bungalow, all unable to speak any local Nigerian language. The victims were immediately evacuated to safety.

Sources that the rescued victims are currently in protective custody pending further profiling and communication with the Malian and Ivorian consular authorities.

Police rescue 39 foreign nationals of alleged human trafficking in Mararraba, Nassarawa