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FG Says there is Urgent Need for Massive Investment in Sanitation for Economic Growth
FG Says there is Urgent Need for Massive Investment in Sanitation for Economic Growth
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has said the nation needs urgent and massive investment and innovation along the entire sanitation to improve public health and the economy.
Speaking at the commemoration of World Toilet Day in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal
while lamenting that about 48 million Nigerians openly defecate, said: “We need urgent and massive investment and innovation along the entire sanitation service chain. Investment in the sanitation sector is good for public health and the economy. For instance, every one Naira invested in toilets and sanitation, up to five Naira is returned in saved medical costs, better health, increased productivity, education and jobs.”
He noted that: “The Federal Government of Nigeria has demonstrated practical commitment to addressing the sanitation challenges through the following actions:
i) Declaration of State of Emergency on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in the Country by Mr. President and the signing of Executive Order no 009 on Open Defecation Free Nigeria by 2025.
ii) Revision and validation of the 2005 National Environmental Sanitation Policy including its policy guidelines on safe excreta and sewage disposal by my ministry and national stakeholders. I will soon present the revised Policy to the Federal Executive Council for its approval.
iii) Community-based intervention on the control of open defecation as well as the clean and green programmes of the Federal Ministry of Environment which are aimed among others at promoting the provision of safe and adequate toilets across the country, particularly in public places and ensuring proper excreta management in Nigeria.”
He said as part of the activities for the commemoration of this year’s event, the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Education carried out advocacy, sensitization and sanitary inspection of Federal Government Unity schools in FCT, adding that findings from the sanitary inspection of Federal Government Unity schools in FCT revealed the following:
“Some of the toilets in the hostels in some of the schools visited were locked because they are not in good condition;
Poor or inadequate water supply in some of the schools which affects the use and access to toilets by the students who obviously practice open defecation as there are evidence of presence of excreta in the surrounding environment; Defective septic tanks which can serve as breeding place for pests and vectors of public health importance such as mosquitoes, rats, snakes etc.”
He called on Unity schools across the country which may likely have similar sanitation challenges to take note and improve on their sanitation situation.
He solicited for the support of Development Partners, NGOs CSOs, the Organized Private Sector, Community Leaders and indeed everyone to promote good sanitation and hygiene practices for overall environmental health protection.
He reminded all stakeholders that the countdown to 2030 has begun and “we must accelerate progress to ensure everyone has access to toilets by 2030, hence, I call on the organized private sector and commercial entities to support the government by contributing their quota to the establishment of functional toilet facilities across the country for general public use.”
On his part, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev said Nigeria is committed to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of which target 6.2 for Sanitation seeks to “
He noted that: “Our commitment is motivated by the realisation that it would contribute significantly to the achievement of our national developmental goals.”
He said: “With only seven years to go, progress on achieving the global SDG Sanitation target of safely managed services is off track and Nigeria is regrettably among those countries lagging behind manifested in high disparities in access across wealth quintiles and locations. Globally, an estimated two-thirds of people who lack basic access to sanitation services live in rural areas, with nearly half of them in Sub-Saharan Africa, while over 90% of the world’s population practising open defecation inhabit these areas. It is estimated that it will require five times the current rate of progress to meet the 2030 target date globally. In Nigeria, only over half of the population have access to basic sanitation services with about a quarter engaged in open defecation. The country will therefore need to quintuple its current rate of implementation and triple its investment in order to stay on course towards meeting our obligations under the SDG targets for sanitation.”
FG Says there is Urgent Need for Massive Investment in Sanitation for Economic Growth
Troops Foil ISWAP Attack Attempt in Guzamala
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3 Area of Responsibility have foiled an attempted attack by suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorists on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 1329hrs on April 19, when the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the base through Charlie/Delta Company axis.
The attackers, operating with two gun trucks, were sighted advancing toward the entrance gate of Mairari town along the Gajiram axis.
Troops immediately engaged the advancing terrorists, forcing them to abandon their mission and retreat.
Following the encounter, troops dominated the general area with patrols, while air support was also deployed and hovered over the vicinity. However, no further terrorist presence was observed after the exchange.
Security sources said exploitation and clearance operations are ongoing to prevent regrouping and to secure surrounding communities.
Troops Foil ISWAP Attack Attempt in Guzamala
Troops Arrest Suspected Terror Logistics Couriers in Kogi State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation MESA have arrested two suspected terrorist logistics couriers along the Obajana–Kabba road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Sources said the operation was conducted at about 0010hrs on April 20, following credible intelligence report on the movement of suspected terrorist logistics couriers.
Troops of 12 Brigade mounted a snap checkpoint at RA Oshokoshoko and intercepted a vehicle conveying the suspects en route Obajana from Makurdi.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a sack containing 314 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and three AK-47 magazines, concealed behind the driver’s seat.
Other items recovered include two mobile phones, a driver’s licence, a National Identification Number (NIN) slip, and an identity card.
The suspects and recovered items are currently in military custody for further investigation and action.
Troops Arrest Suspected Terror Logistics Couriers in Kogi State
News
Stolen cows allegedly rustled by Berom militia from Plateau, sold by paramount ruler traced to Nasarawa
Stolen cows allegedly rustled by Berom militia from Plateau, sold by paramount ruler traced to Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Nasarawa State have intercepted stolen livestock allegedly rustled by Berom militia from Bokkos in Plateau State and sold through illicit channels, leading to the arrest of a suspect who claimed to have purchased the animals from a paramount ruler.
Police sources said the breakthrough followed credible intelligence received by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lafia on April 19 regarding suspicious cattle being traded at the Lafia cattle market.
Acting on the tip-off, detectives swiftly mobilised to the market and arrested one Alhaji Ziya-U Inusa, a resident of Dengi in Plateau State, who was found in possession of eleven cows suspected to have been stolen.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed that he purchased twelve cows from a paramount ruler in Plateau State (name withheld) but transported only eleven due to limited vehicle capacity.
Further investigation led to the emergence of one Abdullahi Adamu from Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, who identified himself as the rightful owner of the recovered livestock.
Adamu explained that the cows were part of a larger herd of 57 cattle rustled in May 2025 by armed youths in Bokkos, adding that all previous efforts to recover the animals had been unsuccessful until the latest operation.
Security sources confirmed that the recovered cattle have been secured, while investigations are ongoing to unravel the network involved in the rustling and illicit sale of the livestock, including the alleged role of intermediaries and buyers.
The incident adds to a growing pattern of attacks against the livelihoods of pastoralist communities in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu, and other parts of Plateau State.
Zagazola has consistently reported how Berom militia have engaged in livestock theft. In most cases, the victims (Fulani herders) are killed and buried in shallow graves, while in some instances, troops or police intercept the criminals and recover the stolen livestock.
The latest such incident occurred on April 16, when troops under Operation Enduring Peace responded to a rustling incident in Mangu Local Government Area, where suspected criminals fled before security forces arrived.
Similarly, on April 15, troops under Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) recovered 48 rustled cattle in Yelwa village, Heipang District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. Sources said the recovery followed a distress call received at about 0635 hours reporting the rustling of cattle belonging to a resident of the community.
In another operation on April 13, troops foiled an attempted cattle rustling in Bassa Local Government Area, recovering 92 cattle after pursuing suspected youths who abandoned the animals while fleeing.
Zagazola reports that such incidents are among the main triggers of the cycle of reprisal attacks, further escalating tensions in affected communities.
Stolen cows allegedly rustled by Berom militia from Plateau, sold by paramount ruler traced to Nasarawa
Troops Foil ISWAP Attack Attempt in Guzamala
Troops Arrest Suspected Terror Logistics Couriers in Kogi State
Three Killed in Barkin Ladi Amid Rising Tensions Over Livestock Poisoning in Plateau
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