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Nigeria Admissions of malnourished children rise amid 4-year high in food insecurity due to conflict and climate
Nigeria Admissions of malnourished children rise amid 4-year high in food insecurity due to conflict and climate
By: Our Reporter
Admissions of severely malnourished children in health facilities supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in northeast Nigeria have increased by 24% between the third quarters of 2023 and 2024.
This increase is part of a trend affecting the entire Lake Chad Basin region, where an estimated 6.1 million people will not have enough to eat in the coming months due in part to both conflict and climate, the highest figure in four years.
The rise in the number of people without enough food mirrors an increase in violence, which has severely impacted communities’ ability to grow crops and access markets. Violent incidents in the Lake Chad region in the first half of 2024 rose 58% compared with the same period in 2023.
Climate hazards are also preventing people from growing crops and accessing their farmland and markets, contributing to a food security crisis being felt across Lake Chad – in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria. In northeast Nigeria, the start of the harvest season coincided this year with heavy floods that washed away seeds and all hope of harvest after an especially dry lean season.
“The consequences of spiraling violence and climate variability are devastating for families trying to feed themselves. We see the proof in the health facilities we support, where the rising number of children with severe acute malnutrition is heartbreaking. Unfortunately, they only represent a fraction of those in need across the region,” said Yann Bonzon, ICRC’s head of delegation in Nigeria.
In September, the ICRC expanded its efforts to curb malnutrition rates by supporting two additional health centers for malnourished children in Yobe and Adamawa states, northeast Nigeria. This will allow medical teams to provide a range of key services including consultations, nutritional screenings, and treatment for malnourished children with complications.
The ICRC, alongside with its partners from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, carries out activities assisting millions of people impacted by the combining effects of conflict and climate across the Lake Chad Basin. In northeast Nigeria in 2024, 187’000 people benefited from assistance in response to food shortages, delivered by the ICRC and the Nigeria Red Cross Society.
“We are increasing our humanitarian assistance, but we are afraid it is not going to be enough, because the needs are so much higher than the help we are able to provide,” said Alhaji Abubakar Kende, Secretary General of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
The ICRC reminds all parties to armed conflicts that it is their responsibility under international humanitarian law (IHL), to ensure that people living in the territories under their control can meet their essential needs, including food, water, medical care, and access to farmland and markets. The ICRC engages all parties to armed conflicts on the respect for IHL, including in their conduct of hostilities. Indeed, IHL violations can negatively impact food security by disrupting access to fields and markets, restricting seasonal movement of livestock, and limiting access of humanitarian actors to communities in need.
Nigeria Admissions of malnourished children rise amid 4-year high in food insecurity due to conflict and climate
AU, Nigeria sign MoU to strengthen fight against terrorism
By; Zagazola Makama
The African Union Commission and the Federal Republic of Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism across the continent.
The agreement was signed on Sept. 8 by Amb. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
The MoU provides a framework to enhance cooperation and coordination between the AU and Nigeria on counterterrorism initiatives.
Adeoye said the partnership underscored the commitment of both parties to addressing the growing threat of terrorism through coordinated strategies, capacity building and information sharing.
The areas of collaboration include real-time information sharing, deployment of NCTC experts to the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre (AUCTC), joint research, as well as support for victim recovery, deradicalisation and reintegration.
A Joint Working Group is to be established to monitor progress and oversee the implementation of the MoU.
The agreement reflects the shared commitment of Nigeria and the African Union to promote peace and security across Africa.
AU, Nigeria sign MoU to strengthen fight against terrorism
Residents of Kachia call for media attention as bandit attacks escalate
By: Zagazola Makama
Residents of Kachia Local Government Area in Kaduna State have raised concerns over the apparent underreporting of recurring bandit attacks and kidnappings in the area, urging major media houses to take notice.
In a statement signed by Rev. Fr. Agbo Gabriel, the community expressed frustration that despite enduring more than two years without consistent electricity, and relying on solar power where possible, the security challenges in Kachia and surrounding villages have largely gone unreported.
According to the statement, in the early hours of Sunday, September 7, 2025, bandits attacked Wakeh village in Agunu District, killing eight people, injuring many others, and burning homes and property.
The attacks, the statement says, have similarly affected Ankwa, Bishini, Katari, and other villages, leaving communities displaced, traumatised, and in despair.
“The poor people of Kachia town, who used to host internally displaced persons from surrounding villages, are now themselves being targeted,” Rev. Fr. Gabriel said. “Kidnappings from farms and homes are happening daily, yet media coverage remains virtually absent. We are forced to ask: where are the correspondents or reporters of major media houses in Kaduna and Kachia?”
The statement appealed to Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, to urgently address the insecurity in Kachia LGA, highlighting the area’s potential and importance to the state. Residents also called for stronger community-based surveillance, engagement of local leaders, and collective action to protect vulnerable villages.
Rev. Fr. Gabriel emphasised that local vigilance is critical at this time, urging residents to report suspicious activities and support one another in defending their communities.
“Kachia is a land of great potential and does not deserve such neglect,” the statement concluded. “Media houses, we need your attention. Kachia too exists.”
Zagazola report that the Kaduna State had not released any statement regarding the unfortunate incident.
Residents of Kachia call for media attention as bandit attacks escalate
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and Police Command in Katsina State, have foiled an attempted attack by armed bandits in Malumfashi Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 7:35 p.m. following credible intelligence that armed bandits on motorcycles were heading towards Gora village.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and other security operatives, intercepted the bandits and engaged in a fierce gun duel.
The bandits fled in disarray under superior firepower. No casualty was recorded, and calm has since returned to the area,”said sources.
The sources added that aggressive patrols and clearance operations had been intensified to track down the fleeing criminals.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil bandits’ attack in Katsina
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