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Health Care in Part of Zamfara in Jeopardy as MSF Vacate with Resumption of Hostilities
Health Care in Part of Zamfara in Jeopardy as MSF Vacate with Resumption of Hostilities
By: Michael Mike
Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) also known as Doctors Without Borders has vacated part of Zamfara State due to renewed armed confrontation in the state.
The institution in a statement on Friday said continuous heavy fighting has been taking place in Zurmi town since 10 December, with some of the confrontations occurring dangerously close to a hospital supported by Médecins sans Frontières (MSF).
It decried that these armed clashes have provoked the displacement of thousands of people in need of security, shelter and access to basic services, but insisted that humanitarian support is needed to help those in dire need of assistance.
The statement revealed that faced with important security risks, MSF medical teams on the ground had to evacuate part of its staff and are unable to function optimally, having to suspend the provision of healthcare to communities outside of the town, noting that in this context, the team is concerned about patients in need of medical treatment as they are unable to reach the hospital in a safe manner.
MSF deputy field coordinator in Zurmi, Adjide Hermann, was quoted in the statement to have said: “Some of the patients refuse to leave the hospital out of fear” while explaining that “we had no choice but to reduce part of our team, and the staffs who are still working at the hospital are afraid of what is going to happen next”.
MSF country representative, Dr. Simba Tirima, expressed deep concern, stating that: “This situation is untenable; we urgently appeal to the parties involved in the conflict to cease their hostilities to protect the population. This is also crucial to safeguard the medical mission and to maintain the safety of patients and medical staff”.
The statement said while the hostilities continue, sick and wounded patients are those facing greatest humanitarian and health needs as they struggle to access healthcare. The December spike in extreme violence, including killings and kidnappings, comes within a wider context of insecurity in Zamfara state, noting that the ongoing level of insecurity has forced the displacement of thousands of people. In Zurmi, most of these people are forced to live in unsanitary conditions, in two unofficial camps and schools serving as temporary shelters.
According to the statement with violent clashes taking place a few meters from the hospital compound on the 11 December, MSF was no longer able to guarantee the safety of patients or staff.
Herman said: “There was intense crossfire, we saw cars set on fire. Our team had to seek shelter in the hospital for a long time,” adding that only two days later, a second attack obliged the team to sleep in the security room inside the hospital.
Dr. Tirima added that: “Our teams are committed to provide medical support to Nigerian population in Zamfara state, we will do our best to maintain the operations, but we wish to see improvements in the security situation to be able to provide the appropriate medical care.”
In recent years, northwest Nigeria has been hit by an unprecedented wave of kidnappings, killings, displacements, and disruption of socio-economic activities due to the rise of armed bandits in the region.
In 2023, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, MSF teams carried out 448 surgical interventions, provided 700 emergency consultations and assisted 5,674 deliveries in the General hospital in Zurmi. MSF also implements activities in the Shinkafi general hospital, and in Talata Mafara and Gummi with pediatric units and malnutrition centers.
Health Care in Part of Zamfara in Jeopardy as MSF Vacate with Resumption of Hostilities
One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that one passenger was killed when suspected armed bandits attacked a commercial bus in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Wednesday.
A police source said the incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. on Feb. 5 at Ojali community in Ohimini LGA.
The bus, an 18-seater Hummer Bus with registration number GME 911 XE (Gombe), was reportedly conveying passengers from Akwa Ibom State to Gombe State when it came under attack.
“The vehicle was driven by one Musa Jibrin. On reaching Ojali, unknown gunmen opened fire from the bush on the moving bus. One passenger, identified as Sanusi Danmaji, 30, was shot and killed,” the source said.
He added that no passenger was abducted during the attack.
Following the incident, the Divisional Police Officer in Ohimini mobilised a patrol team alongside other tactical units to the scene.
Photographs were taken and the surrounding bushes were combed in a bid to track down the attackers for possible arrest.
The driver and the remaining passengers were later allowed to continue with their journey.
The command said the case had been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.
Police urged travellers to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the nearest security formation.
One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue
Ten killed, five missing as police assess attack on abandi community in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Benue State Police Command says the death toll from the attack on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area has risen to 10, while five persons are still missing.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Okon Asuquo, in charge of Operations, led a reinforcement team on a spot assessment to the border community on Feb. 4 at about 5:10 p.m., following the attack which occurred on Feb. 3 at about 3:20 p.m. on the community’s market day.
The assessment team, which included officials of the Benue State Government, the Director-General of Homeland Security and the Executive Chairman of Kwande LGA, faced difficulties accessing the area by road due to the terrain and its proximity to the Cameroon border and Taraba State.
During the visit, two additional bodies were recovered, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 10. The corpses were evacuated to the Jato-Aka Mortuary.
Police said the president of the Nyier-Ya Development Association, Dr Joseph Hembafer Akanyi, spoke on behalf of the community and alleged that some elements across the Mengeh Mountain had been conspiring with armed Fulani bandits to attack Abande community over the years.
In his response, DCP Asuquo assured residents of adequate security, stressing the need for sustained military and police presence to protect the Nigeria–Cameroon border and block suspected access routes used by bandits.
He urged youths to remain calm, shun actions that could provoke further violence and cooperate with the tactical teams already deployed to the area.
“As of now, five persons are still missing, and search-and-rescue operations are ongoing,” a police source said.
Traditional rulers, elders and youths of the community, including Zaaku Zegelu Yengen and Zaaki Agba, were present during the assessment.
The command said the area remained relatively calm as monitoring and security operations continued.
Ten killed, five missing as police assess attack on abandi community in Benue
News
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected bandits attacked a joint security team of Operation Enduring Peace in Zurak community, Wase Local Government Area, killing two personnel and carting away their rifles.
Sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 3 at about 1:00 p.m. when unknown gunmen ambushed the team while on duty in the area.
The victims were identified as Inspector Igba Terseer (AP/No. 302410) of the 66 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Shendam, and a soldier attached to Operation Enduring Peace.
“The attackers opened fire on the personnel, killed the inspector and a soldier, and made away with their rifles. Two other soldiers are still missing,” the source said.
On receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Bashar mobilised and led a team of police officers, in collaboration with other security agencies, to the scene.
The sources said intensive efforts were ongoing to rescue the missing personnel, arrest the perpetrators and recover the stolen firearms.
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
One killed as gunmen attack passenger bus in ohimini, Benue
Ten killed, five missing as police assess attack on abandi community in Benue
Two security personnel killed, two missing in attack on operation enduring peace team in Plateau
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