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Open defecation: Bama IDP Camp Risks Diseases Outbreak

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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

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Police repel bandits attack, rescue six victims in Katsina

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Police repel bandits attack, rescue six victims in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Katsina, in collaboration with the military and local vigilantes, has repelled a bandits’ attack in Malumfashi Local Government Area of the state.

Sources said that the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 1:20 a.m., when bandits stormed Lamuntani village in Goran Dansaka ward but were engaged in a gun battle by security operatives, forcing them to flee into the bush.

According to sources , six kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt. They include Aisha Rilwanu, 12; Zainab Mansir, 15; Munnir Sani, 19; Salamatu Umar, 19; Asmau Sani, 10; and Jamila Nasiru, 21.

The sources added that while escaping, the bandits attacked nearby Santan Kargo village, where they shot and injured three persons Yusuf Yushau, 30; Ismail Abubakar, 21; and Abdulmumin Sani,who were rushed to Malumfashi General Hospital for treatment.

The sources said two victims were still missing as security forces intensified search-and-rescue operations in the area.

Police repel bandits attack, rescue six victims in Katsina

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Army recovers 164 rustled livestock in Zamfara, Sokoto

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Army recovers 164 rustled livestock in Zamfara, Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA (OPFY) have recovered 164 rustled animals during clearance operations in Zamfara and Sokoto States.

Sources disclosed this on Thursday, saying the recoveries followed ambushes against terrorists moving livestock across communities.

The sources told Zagazola the troops, working with vigilantes, engaged terrorists attempting to move rustled animals from Talata Mafara LGA to Anka axis of Zamfara, recovering 21 sheep.

“Similarly, troops of 8 Division in conjunction with Keystone forces repelled terrorists who attacked Garbe Kanni village in Tureta LGA, Sokoto. A total of 143 sheep were recovered and a terrorist camp destroyed,” the sources said.

The animals have since been handed over to the chairmen of Bakura and Tureta LGAs for onward return to their rightful owners.

Army recovers 164 rustled livestock in Zamfara, Sokoto

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Troops arrest notorious cattle rustlers, recover arms in Plateau

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Troops arrest notorious cattle rustlers, recover arms in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested two notorious cattle rustlers and recovered arms and ammunition in Plateau State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama on Thursday in Jos that the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of cattle rustlers in Kogul village, Mangu Local Government Area.

According to the sources, the troops raided the hideout of the suspects on Sept. 11 and arrested two of them. Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, one fabricated revolver rifle, 10 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, one mobile phone and cash.

“The arrested suspects and recovered items are in the custody of the troops for investigation. Follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate,” the sources said.

They added that the arrest was significant in curbing the menace of cattle rustling, which has often triggered crisis in Plateau and adjoining states.

Troops arrest notorious cattle rustlers, recover arms in Plateau

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