News
Open defecation: Bama IDP Camp Risks Diseases Outbreak
Open defecation: Bama IDP Camp Risks Diseases Outbreak
- UNICEF-provided WASH Items Vandalized
By: Zagazola Makama
The Bama Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, Borno State, faces the high risk of an outbreak of diseases as the IDPs now engage in rampant open defecation following the alleged vandalization of the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) items provided by UNICEF to avert such outbreaks there.
Sources at the camp have alleged that the vandalization was carried out by suspected officials of the camp, who have, allegedly, carted away the essential items to unknown locations for sale.
Zagazola Makama, understands that the items, which were essentially aimed at making life easy for the distressed women and children in the camp, were allegedly vandalized by the suspected officials not long after they were put in place in the camps.
According to reports, UNICEF had in fulfillment of its mandate to aid the IDPs provided the Bama community with overhead tanks and its accessories, including iron stand and water tankers.
The overheard tanks supply water for the displaced persons in the camps.
Sources, however, said that about 30 pieces of the water tankers and iron stands that were carted away from where they were installed have been recovered by some members of the community and taken to Bama Police Division.
Some suspects have, according to sources, also been apprehended in connection with the vandalization.
The suspects were discovered to have been those fingered some months ago for collaborating with some staff of the Borno Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency and Danish Refugee Council, to divert a full truck-load of soap valued at N7,000,000, but the matter was allegedly swept under the carpet.
Sources alleged that some individuals are trying to cover up the matter as the suspects were said to have been granted bail by the Police.
Latest information from dependable sourced have indicated that the stolen items were moved from the police station to an unknown destination as at February 2, 2024.
The effect of the theft and vandalization of the sanitary items have started taking its toll on the women and children in the camps as they are now resorting to open defecation on and around the camps with the resultant implication of possible disease outbreak.
Findings revealed that the toilets provided in the camp were not enough, others were not been evacuated and some poorly constructed.
In an effort to address the situation, UNICEF awarded contract for the evacuation of the filled toilets and establishment of new ones, but lack of supervisor and conspiracy amongst the contractors and those doing the work denied the end users the benefit of service access.
Sources said that the IDPs have resorted to digging holes within the periphery of the camps to defecate.
However, given the large number of persons in the camps, digging of holes were even no longer tenable, compelling many people to engage in open defecation within the camps.
This, according to health experts, is a recipe for disease outbreak in the camp, if adequate measures are not put in place to salvage the situation.
Open defecation: Bama IDP Camp Risks Diseases Outbreak
News
DSS arrests notorious bandit in Bauchi village, recovers cash and ammunition
DSS arrests notorious bandit in Bauchi village, recovers cash and ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended a notorious bandit in Bojinji Village on the outskirts of Bauchi during a surprise raid, recovering millions of naira in cash and a large cache of ammunition.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect had relocated to Bauchi from Zamfara State, claiming to be fleeing persecution, and had settled in the community with his family. Bauchi has been a preferred destination for people affected by conflicts in neighbouring states, but security operatives say some criminal elements exploit this pattern to mask their activities.
The raid, carried out without prior warning, caught residents by surprise. “The DSS traced the suspect’s illicit wealth and movements before executing the operation,” a security source said.
Investigations revealed that the suspect was known locally for his lavish lifestyle, spending entire days drinking at Unguwar Yelwan Angas and buying alcohol for others, but no one suspected him of criminal activity until the DSS intervention.
Security officials have urged community members to assist security agencies by reporting suspicious individuals, particularly those whose lifestyle appears inconsistent with their means, as such vigilance is critical to preventing crimes and exposing criminal networks.
Security sources have confirmed that further investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the bandit’s operations and any accomplices within the state.
DSS arrests notorious bandit in Bauchi village, recovers cash and ammunition
News
Troops neutralise six bandits, recover rifles as arson attacks escalate in Zamfara
Troops neutralise six bandits, recover rifles as arson attacks escalate in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops operating under Project Garkuwan Arewa have neutralised six bandits and recovered seven AK-47 rifles during a security operation in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
A security source told Zagazola Makama on Sunday that the operation, conducted in the villages of Gangara, Tsageru and Sungawa, followed credible intelligence on hostile bandit activities in the area.
“Troops neutralised six bandits identified as Musa, Shehu, Nasiru, Yusuf, Mantagora and Siddiq. Seven AK‑47 rifles were also recovered during the operation,” the source said.
He said despite the setbacks suffered by the criminals, remnants of the bandit group resorted to burning farmlands and properties in surrounding communities in a bid to intimidate residents and regain control.
According to the source, local vigilante operatives are assisting troops in tracking fleeing bandits, some of whom have taken refuge within Gangara town, resulting in intermittent gunfire exchanges.
Security authorities described the attacks as retaliatory actions aimed at destabilising rural communities and warned of increased risks of civilian casualties if the criminals are not cleared from the area.
Troops have since intensified ground patrols in Gangara, Tsageru and Sungawa, while coordination with local intelligence networks has been strengthened to provide early warning on bandit movements.
Operations to track and apprehend fleeing suspects are ongoing.
Troops neutralise six bandits, recover rifles as arson attacks escalate in Zamfara
News
PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS THE WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE OFFICERS GUARDING VIPS FOR CORE POLICE DUTIES
PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS THE WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE OFFICERS GUARDING VIPS FOR CORE POLICE DUTIES
By: Our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently providing security for Very Important Persons in the country.
Henceforth, police authorities will deploy them to concentrate on their core police duties.
The presidential directive was issued at the security meeting President Tinubu held on Sunday with the police, Air Force, army chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja.
According to the Presidential directive, VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.
In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.
Already, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also collaborating with the states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
Sunday’s meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS THE WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE OFFICERS GUARDING VIPS FOR CORE POLICE DUTIES
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