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FG, UNICEF commend Gombe’s efforts to eliminate NTDs
FG, UNICEF commend Gombe’s efforts to eliminate NTDs
The Federal Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office have commended Gombe State’s efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
They gave the commendation on Tuesday in Gombe during a media dialogue on NTDs elimination organised to assess progress in the state.
Hajiya Hawau Abubakar, North-East Zonal Coordinator for NTDs, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said “significant progress” had been made towards ending NTDs in Gombe.
Abubakar said the state’s commitment, supported by the Federal Government and development partners, was enhancing the health and wellbeing of the people across Gombe State.
She stressed that achieving NTD-free status would positively impact the wellbeing of residents, especially children, and improve the economic fortunes of the state.
Abubakar urged the government, media, and stakeholders to sustain the momentum, expressing optimism that the state could be free of NTDs before 2030.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi, also praised Gombe State for the progress made so far in eliminating NTDs across communities.
Rafique said the state’s commitment to providing counterpart funding for NTD elimination activities was already yielding positive results in several localities.
She explained that Gombe State was close to the “breakpoint” where widespread preventive treatment could halt further circulation of the diseases within communities.
According to her, achieving that stage would mark a major success in the fight against NTDs in the state and across the region.
“The progress so far is encouraging, but we must continue investing resources wisely to eliminate NTDs and protect children and women,” she said.
Rafique, however, said more effort was required to completely eliminate the diseases due to their severe impact on children and society.
She called for an integrated approach, using community-based mobilisation to promote hygiene, sanitation, and access to clean water in the state.
She also urged residents to prevent infection by avoiding contact with flies and mosquitoes that spread the diseases.
Commending the media’s role, Rafique described journalists as “the main game changers” in raising awareness and driving positive behavioural change.
Dr Musa Abdullahi, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, said most local governments were now NTD-free.
Abdullahi said all LGAs, except Akko and Kwami, had been declared free of NTDs, thanks to the collaboration with the Federal Government, UNICEF, and other partners.
He commended the continued partnership, noting that it had significantly improved the health and wellbeing of Gombe residents.
FG, UNICEF commend Gombe’s efforts to eliminate NTDs
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
By: Zagazola Makama
The military has arrested four police officers for allegedly providing unauthorised escort services to a VIP in contravention of the presidential directive on the withdrawal of policemen from VIP protection duties.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest occurred on Dec. 17 at about 9:30 a.m., while the officers were reportedly on escort duty.
Those arrested were identified as ASP Musa Waziri and Insp. Jeremiah Achimogu both attached to 45 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Abuja; Insp. Awipi Terry of 21 PMF; and Insp. Hassan Baba of 50 PMF, Abuja.
According to security sources, the officers were arrested by military personnel after allegedly flouting the presidential order withdrawing police personnel from VIP escort duties.
The sources further disclosed that the policemen were dressed in uniforms similar to that of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), allegedly in an attempt to evade detection and deceive enforcement personnel.
The arrested officers have since been detained, while disciplinary procedures have been initiated against them in line with extant regulations.
The Federal Government had earlier directed the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from unauthorised VIP protection duties to redeploy manpower to core policing and internal security operations across the country.
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
Bandits attack NSCDC outpost in Niger, cart away rifle
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits, suspected to be insurgents, have attacked a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) nipping point at Ibrahim Leteh Village along the Wawa–Luma Road in Niger State.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the attack occurred on Dec. 22 at about 4:30 a.m., when a large number of the assailants stormed the outpost and opened fire.
Security sources said two NSCDC personnel on duty took cover during the attack, while the bandits riddled the patrol vehicle and the mini office at the location with bullets.
The sources added that one G3 rifle, officially assigned to an NSCDC personnel, was carted away by the attackers during the incident.
No casualty was recorded in the attack.
The scene was later visited by security operatives, and photographs were taken for investigation and documentation.
Efforts are currently ongoing to recover the stolen rifle and apprehend the suspects, while security presence in the area has been reinforced.
Bandits attack NSCDC outpost in Niger, cart away rifle
Nine feared dead in multiple-vehicle accident along Yola road in Gombe
By: Zagazola Makama
No fewer than nine persons have been confirmed dead following a fatal motor vehicle accident along the Yola Road in Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Zagazola gathered that the accident occurred on Dec. 22 at about 7:00 a.m. near Kaluwa Village and involved a DAF truck and a Sharon commercial vehicle, both travelling in the same direction.
Sources said the DAF truck, with registration number BLG 551 XA, driven by Umar Abubakar, 41, from Potiskum, Yobe State, reportedly rammed into the Sharon vehicle, with registration number GME 19 XC, driven by Garba Sule, 60.
As a result of the impact, the driver of the truck lost control, causing the vehicle to somersault and fall by the roadside.
Victims of the accident were rushed to the General Hospital in Kaltungo, where nine unidentified persons were confirmed dead on arrival.
The sources also said two other unidentified persons were trapped inside the DAF truck, while efforts were ongoing to evacuate them.
Nine feared dead in multiple-vehicle accident along Yola road in Gombe
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
Bandits attack NSCDC outpost in Niger, cart away rifle
Nine feared dead in multiple-vehicle accident along Yola road in Gombe
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