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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
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 212 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Tuba have arrested three suspected cattle rustlers during an operation in Karnuwa general area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation followed intelligence provided by a local resident, Malam Muhammadu Ardo, concerning alleged cattle rustling activities within the area.
The troops reportedly mobilised to Karnuwa at about 12:30 p.m. on May 4, 2026, where they apprehended the suspects identified as Mallam Mohammad Abatcha, 28; Mallam Mamman Bukar, 18; and Malam Modu Hassan, 30.
According to the sources, the suspects were intercepted while using a pickup vehicle with registration number WW 806 GZ Delta, allegedly employed in transporting stolen cattle.
The rustled cattle were recovered and immediately handed over to their rightful owners at the scene of the arrest.
Items recovered from the suspects included a bow and arrow, three mobile phones, five national identity cards and the sum of N20,650.
Preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the suspects admitted to repeatedly stealing and selling rustled cattle to buyers in Maiduguri.
Security sources further disclosed that investigators suspect possible links between the suspects and members of the Islamic State West Africa Province or Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad due to alleged inconsistencies observed in their statements during interrogation.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 29 Battalion operating under the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have uncovered an illegal refining site and recovered about 600 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 10:00 a.m. on May 12, 2026, during ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region.
The troops reportedly discovered the illegal refining site around Asa community, where a large cooking pot loaded with stolen crude oil was found stockpiled in sacks.
Military authorities said the recovered products and equipment were handled in accordance with operational directives guiding anti-crude oil theft operations under Operation Delta Safe.
The operation was conducted without any confrontation or security incident.
The Nigerian military has continued to intensify operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage across the Niger Delta region.
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi at Kafur, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have raided a suspected drug peddlers’ hideout in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 12:30 p.m. on May 12, 2026, at Huguma village following intelligence on illicit drug activities within the area.
During the raid, troops apprehended one suspect identified as a major supplier of illicit drugs and other substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
Items recovered during the operation included 146 grams of suspected cannabis and 16.5 grams of a substance identified as Exol-5.
The suspect and the recovered drugs have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists in Night Ambush Operation in Borno
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
Troops Intercept Vehicle Conveying Illegal Diesel in Bayelsa
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