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MSF Raises the Alarm, Malnutrition Records Now Overwhelming in North East
MSF Raises the Alarm, Malnutrition Records Now Overwhelming in North East
By: Michael Mike
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) otherwise called Doctors Without Borders has raised the alarm that inpatient facilities in northern Nigeria have recorded an extraordinary increase in admissions of severely malnourished children with life-threatening complications, exceeding last year’s figures by over 100 per cent in some locations.
The organisation in a statement on Tuesday said the latest figure was the result of admission records in the last few weeks at facilities in the area, insisting that for MSF teams, this is an alarming indication of a premature peak of the lean season and the increase in acute malnutrition that accompanies it, typically anticipated in July.
Speaking on the situation, the MSF’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Simba Tirima said: “We are resorting to treating patients on mattresses on the floor because our facilities are full. Children are dying. If immediate action is not taken, more lives hang in the balance. Everyone needs to step in to save lives and allow the children of northern Nigeria to grow free from malnutrition and its disastrous long-term, if not fatal, consequences.
“Humanitarian assistance must be urgently scaled up. MSF calls upon the Nigerian authorities, international organisations and donors to take immediate action to diagnose and treat malnourished children to prevent associated complications and deaths, but also to engage in sustained, long-term initiatives to mitigate the underlying causes of this urgent problem.
“We’ve been warning about the worsening malnutrition crisis for the last two years. 2022 and 2023 were already critical, but an even grimmer picture is unfolding in 2024. We can’t keep repeating these catastrophic scenarios year after year. What will it take to make everyone take notice and act?” Tirima added.
According to the statement, in April 2024, MSF’s medical team in Maiduguri in northeast Nigeria admitted 1250 severely malnourished children with complications to the inpatient therapeutic feeding centre, doubling the figure for April 2023. Forced to urgently scale up capacity, by the end of May the centre accommodated 350 patients, far surpassing the 200 beds initially designated for the peak malnutrition season in July and August.
Also in the northeast, the MSF-operated facility in Bauchi state’s Karfin Madaki hospital recorded a significant 188 per cent increase in admissions of severely malnourished children during the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
The statement added that in the northwestern part of the region, in Zamfara state, the inpatient centres in Shinkafi and Zurmi have received up to 30 per cent more monthly admissions in April compared to March. Talata Mafara’s facility saw about 20 per cent increase in the same period. Similarly, MSF inpatient facilities in major cities like Kano and Sokoto are also reporting alarming surges, by 75 and 100 per centrespectively. The therapeutic feeding centre in Kebbi state also documented a rise of more than 20 per cent in inpatient admissionsfrom March to April.
The statement read that despite the alarming situation, the overall humanitarian response remains inadequate. Other non-profit organisations active in the north are also overwhelmed. The United Nations and Nigerian authorities issued an urgent appeal in May for $306.4 million to address the pressing nutritional needs in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. Yet this will be insufficient, ignoring as it does other parts of northern Nigeria where needs also outweigh the currentcapacity of the organisations to respond sufficiently.
It added that the catastrophic nutritional situation seen in recent years in northern Nigeria calls for a bigger response. Persistently excluded from the formal humanitarian response, reductions in the already limited funding available for the northwest have also dangerously affected the provision of crucial therapeutic and supplementary food. These supplies were completely unavailable in Zamfara for the first four months of this year and are now only available in lower quantities. This reduction has meant that it is only possible to provide treatment for more severe malnutrition cases, compromising an effective response that also addresses malnutrition earlier in its progression and avoids exposing children to a higher risk of mortality.
Tirima said: “We are alarmed by the reduction in aid at these critical times. Reducing nutritional support to only severely malnourished children is akin to waiting for a child to become gravely ill beforeproviding care. We urge donors and authorities to increase supporturgently for both curative and preventive approaches, ensuring that all malnourished children receive the care they desperately need.”
MSF Raises the Alarm, Malnutrition Records Now Overwhelming in North East
CDN Backs Federal Government’s U.S. Lobby Contract, Calls It Strategic Security Move
By: Michael Mike
The Coalition in Defence of Nigeria (CDN) has publicly supported the Federal Government’s decision to engage a United States-based lobbying firm over allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria, describing the move as a strategic step toward strengthening the nation’s security and international relations.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the coalition insisted that the engagement of the lobby firm is not merely a public relations exercise but a deliberate investment in Nigeria’s long-term stability and global credibility.
The National Publicity Secretary of CDN, Mallam Isa Shehu, said Nigeria is currently grappling with serious security challenges such as terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and organized crime. He noted that these threats extend beyond Nigeria’s borders and are often connected to international networks involved in arms trafficking, extremist financing, and cybercrime.
Shehu argued that hiring a reputable U.S. lobbying firm would help Nigeria build stronger partnerships with foreign governments, particularly in areas of intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism collaboration, and technical support for security agencies.
He further explained that the move would ensure that Nigeria’s security concerns receive greater attention in Washington and other global decision-making centres, reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting lives and restoring peace across the country.
The coalition stressed that tackling insecurity requires collective effort, not just government action. It called on civil society groups, business leaders, political actors, and ordinary citizens to play their roles in promoting national unity and security.
While acknowledging that the lobby contract alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security problems, the CDN maintained that it is a valuable diplomatic tool that could strengthen the country’s position on the global stage.
The group urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government’s decision, saying the issue is not political but essential for national survival and development.
The CDN concluded by reaffirming its full backing for the initiative and calling for nationwide solidarity in the fight against insecurity.
CDN Backs Federal Government’s U.S. Lobby Contract, Calls It Strategic Security Move
One suspected kidnapper killed, AK-47 recovered in Toungo gun battle in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
One suspected kidnapper has been killed and an AK-47 rifle recovered during a gun battle between security operatives and armed men in Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The incident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on Friday at Tipson Village, when a combined patrol team of police officers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) encountered a group of gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.
A security source told Zagazola that the patrol team engaged the suspects in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
“As a result of the gun duel, one of the suspects was neutralised, while others escaped with suspected bullet wounds,” the source said.
According to the source, one AK-47 rifle bearing breech number 31794, without a magazine, was recovered from the scene.
The deceased suspect was later identified as Rabiu Alhaji Shehu, a resident of Mayo Butali Village in Toungo LGA.
Zagazola gathered that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
“The Anti-Kidnapping Unit has been detailed to carry out a discreet investigation, while patrols have been intensified in the area to prevent further criminal activities,” the source added.
One suspected kidnapper killed, AK-47 recovered in Toungo gun battle in Adamawa
Police dismantle child trafficking syndicate, rescue 8-year-old in Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
The police in Nasarawa State have dismantled a suspected child trafficking syndicate and rescued an eight-year-old boy who was allegedly sold for N3 million.
Sources said that the breakthrough followed information received on Jan. 14 that a missing child, Jeremiah Bikwo, was in protective custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Abia State Police Command.
The boy had reportedly told investigators that he was an indigene of Loko in Nasarawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State.
“Further investigations confirmed that the child hails from Ogobo Village in Loko. Detectives then extended their inquiries to Abia State, where it was discovered on Jan. 17 that the victim had been sold for N3 million,” the source said.
According to the source, six suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.
They include Chilaka Calista Nneka, 33; Chigbu Cynthia, 36; Michael Ibeh Chioma, 52; and Victoria Ositadinma, 53 – all from Abia State – as well as Alhassan Bama, 35, of Ogobo Village, Loko LGA, and Jacob Jonah, 38, of Olegefe Village, also in Loko LGA.
Zagazola gathered that all the suspects have confessed to their roles in the trafficking of the child.
“The suspects are currently in custody, while further investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate,” the source added.
End
CDN Backs Federal Government’s U.S. Lobby Contract, Calls It Strategic Security Move
One suspected kidnapper killed, AK-47 recovered in Toungo gun battle in Adamawa
Police dismantle child trafficking syndicate, rescue 8-year-old in Nasarawa
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