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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
NA CAT Week: Army Flags Off Free Medical Outreach in Kaduna Community
By Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army has commenced pre-event activities for its Combat Arms Training (CAT) Week 2026 with a free medical outreach for residents of Birnin Yaro community in Kaduna State.
Security sources said the outreach, which held on May 2, was flagged off by the Chief of Integrated Combat Arms, Maj.-Gen. G.M. Mutkut, as part of preparations for the CAT Week scheduled to take place at Jaji Military Cantonment from May 4 to May 8, 2026.
The sources disclosed that the programme provided free medical consultations and treatment for members of the host community, as well as personnel and their family members.
According to the sources, the initiative was designed to strengthen civil-military relations while improving access to basic healthcare services for underserved communities.
They added that senior officers, including the Principal Staff Officer from Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre and members of the Central Organising Committee for the CAT Week, were in attendance.
The sources noted that the event was conducted peacefully and without any incident.
NA CAT Week: Army Flags Off Free Medical Outreach in Kaduna Community
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists in Borno, Recover Phones and Charms
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested two suspected terrorists during a patrol operation in Ngamdu town, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 5:35 p.m. on May 2 by troops of 154 Battalion while on routine patrol within the area.
The sources disclosed that the suspects were intercepted and arrested during the patrol.
According to the sources, items recovered from them include one mobile phone, one keypad phone, a power bank, charms and other sundry items.
They added that the suspects are currently in military custody for further interrogation and investigation.
The sources noted that further action will be taken after profiling, while patrols in the area have been intensified to maintain security dominance.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists in Borno, Recover Phones and Charms
Four Killed, Three Injured in Attack on Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Four persons have been killed and three others injured following an attack by unknown gunmen at an illegal mining site in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on May 2 at Mazat mining site, where the victims were reportedly engaged in unauthorised mining activities.
The sources disclosed that the assailants opened fire on the victims, killing four on the spot while three others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
According to the sources, the injured victims—two females and one male—were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention and are currently receiving treatment.
They added that the corpses of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.
The sources further noted that security operatives were mobilised to the scene, while additional deployments have been made to track down the perpetrators.
They reiterated that night mining activities remain prohibited in the state, stressing that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Four Killed, Three Injured in Attack on Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
NA CAT Week: Army Flags Off Free Medical Outreach in Kaduna Community
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists in Borno, Recover Phones and Charms
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