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MSF joins noma survivors in celebrating inclusion in WHO neglected tropical diseases list

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MSF joins noma survivors in celebrating inclusion in WHO neglected tropical diseases list

By: Michael Mike

Three years into its campaign to have noma recognised as a see tropical disease (NTD), international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) welcomes the decision by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), to include noma in the WHO’s official list of NTDs.

Following a meeting in Geneva on 12 October 2023, the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG-NTD) concluded that noma fits all the criteria for inclusion on the WHO’s official list. The group shared this recommendation with the WHO director-general, who has now ratified it.

“We welcome the WHO director-general’s decision, which confirms what MSF and the medical community have insisted on for years: that noma is a neglected tropical disease and deserves all the attention and resources that this implies,” says Mark Sherlock, MSF health programmes manager. “We hope that this decision will shine a spotlight on the disease, facilitating the integration of noma prevention and treatment activities into existing public health programmes, and encouraging the allocation of much-needed resources to help tackle the disease.”

Noma is a completely preventable disease and is easy to treat if addressed in time. Untreated, it destroys the skin and bones of the face in just a few weeks, leading to death for around 90 per cent of those infected. The 10 per cent who survive face a future of pain, disfigurement, and social stigma. The disease most commonly affects children who are malnourished or whose immune systems are otherwise compromised.

The lead sponsor country for the request to have noma recognised as an NTD is Nigeria. In January 2023, the Nigerian Ministry of Health submitted a package to the WHO which included an official request letter, letters of endorsement from 31 countries, and a dossier of evidence demonstrating that noma fits the criteria for inclusion. MSF supported Nigeria in providing the medical evidence, based on years of research, and drawing on MSF’s experience treating survivors of noma, in the hope that NTD listing will bring increased attention, earlier diagnosis and stronger research.

MSF has supported the Nigerian Ministry of Health’s Sokoto noma hospital, in northwest Nigeria, since 2014, where its teams provide reconstructive surgery, nutritional support, mental health support and outreach activities. Since 2014, MSF’s surgical teams in Sokoto have carried out 1,203 surgeries on 837 patients.

“Inclusion in the WHO’s list of NTDs is an important step, but not the final one,” says Sherlock. “We plan to shift towards mobilising resources and strategic alliances within the global health community to facilitate programming and research to raise awareness of noma, reduce mortality and improve the patients and survivors’ life conditions.”
MSF plans to focus on research, expanding its collaboration with academic institutes around the world to discover more about the causes of noma. Another key step will be to integrate noma surveillance systems into MSF’s medical work. “In endemic countries, MSF plans to introduce screening for noma into existing MSF programmes, such as malnutrition screening and vaccination campaigns, with the aim of early detection and prompt treatment,” says Sherlock.
Finally, MSF will continue its advocacy efforts around noma. Its three-year campaign has received strong support from survivors of the disease, who have contributed their voices to get across the simple but important message: that noma is a preventable and treatable disease which should no longer exist.

MSF joins noma survivors in celebrating inclusion in WHO neglected tropical diseases list

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Bandits abduct two women in Zamfara, security forces launch rescue operation

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Bandits abduct two women in Zamfara, security forces launch rescue operation

By: Zagazola Makama

The Zamfara State Police Command says suspected armed bandits have abducted two women during a night attack on Wanzamai village in Tsafe Local Government Area.

Sources said that the incident occurred on April 15, 2026, at about 10:10 p.m., when armed men riding on motorcycles and wielding sophisticated weapons invaded the residence of one Shafiu Auta at the western outskirts of the community.

According to the sources, the attackers abducted two women during the raid, identified as Maryam Shafiu Auta, 20, the wife of the homeowner, and Anisa Auwal, 22, the wife of his brother.

The DPO Tsafe Division confirmed the incident, noting that troops under Operation Fansan Yamma were immediately alerted and mobilised to the scene.

However, the bandits were said to have escaped with the victims before security forces arrived.

The command said joint security operatives have intensified search-and-rescue operations across likely escape routes, while intelligence teams are engaging local vigilantes and residents to track the movement of the abductors.

It added that efforts are ongoing to determine whether any ransom demands have been made or if communication has been established with the kidnappers.

Bandits abduct two women in Zamfara, security forces launch rescue operation

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Military, police foil bandit attack in Zamfara, launch follow-up operations

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Military, police foil bandit attack in Zamfara, launch follow-up operations

By: Zagazola Makama

The joint troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA has foiled an attempted bandit attack on Farin Ruwa settlement in Maru Local Government Area.

Zagazola report that the incident occurred on April 15, 2026, at about 3:40 p.m., when suspected armed bandits from Bayan Ruwa hideouts in Maradun Local Government Area attempted to invade the community.

According to the sources , the troops under Operation Fansan Yamma, as well as police patrol swiftly responded to the distress call.

The security forces engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to retreat into nearby bushes with possible gunshot injuries.

The troops said the swift response prevented the attack and restored normalcy in the area, with residents returning to their daily activities.

It added that follow-up operations, including combing of the withdrawal routes, have been ordered to determine whether any of the bandits were neutralised or injured, and to recover possible weapons or traces of blood.

The sources said no casualties have been confirmed among civilians or security personnel at the time of the report.

The command further directed intelligence exploitation and debriefing of local residents to ascertain the strength, movement patterns, and direction of the fleeing bandits.

Military, police foil bandit attack in Zamfara, launch follow-up operations

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Three vigilantes killed, village head abducted in Kebbi attack

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Three vigilantes killed, village head abducted in Kebbi attack

By: Zagazola Makama

Three vigilante members have been killed and a village head abducted following a suspected terrorist attack on Yantala village in Bagudu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

Security sources said the incident occurred on April 15, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m., when armed men stormed the community and opened fire sporadically on residents.

The attackers, believed to be members of a terrorist group locally referred to as “Mamudawa Boko Haram,” reportedly killed three vigilantes identified as Usman Riga of Sabon Gari village, Bande of the same address, and Bala Dan Chako of Yantala village.

They were also said to have abducted the village head of Yantala, Garba Ahmadu (85), alongside another resident, Bala Mazuga.

During the assault, one motorcycle was set ablaze before the attackers fled into nearby bush paths.

Local sources said the assailants operated with superior firepower, forcing residents to flee for safety.

Efforts are reportedly ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and track down those responsible for the attack, while tension remains high in the affected community.

Three vigilantes killed, village head abducted in Kebbi attack

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