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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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Communal clash at illegal mining site leaves five injured in Zamfara

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Communal clash at illegal mining site leaves five injured in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

A violent clash between residents of Boko and Jaya villages in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara state has left at least five persons injured following a dispute at a stone mining site.

Sources said the incident occurred on April 20 at about 11:00 a.m. at the Kwanza Stone Mining Site, located between the two communities.

According to the sources, the clash began when members of both villages engaged in illegal mining activities at the site, leading to a disagreement that escalated into violence, with both sides allegedly using firearms.

The sources said the injured victims include Sha’aibu Adamu, 30; Shakiru Suleiman, 26; Kasu Boko, 27; Abdullahi Dahiru, 25; and Ibrahim Usman, 25, all from the affected communities.

They added that the exact number of persons killed could not be immediately confirmed at the time of filing the report.

A joint security team comprising troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA. police personnel and community protection guards was swiftly deployed to the area to restore order.

The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Kaura Namoda for medical treatment.

Security authorities said normalcy had since been restored in the area, while efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest those involved in the violence.

They also confirmed that investigation into the incident had commenced.

Communal clash at illegal mining site leaves five injured in Zamfara

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Security forces foil Kidnapping, flee after alarm in Gombe community

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Security forces foil Kidnapping, flee after alarm in Gombe community

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed men suspected to be kidnappers have attempted to abduct residents in Unguwan Yamma, Amada area of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe state.

Sources said the incident occurred at about 3:20 a.m. when the attackers stormed the residence of one Alhaji Muhammad Abba, who narrowly escaped the attack.

According to the sources, the assailants proceeded to a neighbouring house where they abducted a child after the mother raised alarm.

The sources said the kidnappers, however, abandoned the child and fled the scene following the commotion.

A divisional patrol team, alongside hunters and local vigilantes, was immediately mobilised to the area and is currently on the trail of the suspects.

Police authorities said investigation was ongoing, while efforts had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing attackers and prevent further incidents in the area.

Security forces foil Kidnapping, flee after alarm in Gombe community

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Troops engage armed bandits in heavy gun battle during raid on suspected hideout in Zamfara

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Troops engage armed bandits in heavy gun battle during raid on suspected hideout in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have reportedly engaged armed bandits in a heavy gun battle during a clearance operation at Yankuzo area in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara state.

Security sources said the operation followed aggressive fighting patrol on armed groups into the area, believed to be a stronghold used by suspected bandit elements operating within the axis.

According to the sources, troops advanced into deep into the terrorists enclave of Ado Allero in the early hours of the day and made contact with the armed men, leading to an exchange of fire that lasted for several minutes.

Residents reported heavy gunfire during the confrontation.

Although details of casualties were still being assessed at the time of filing this report, security sources confirmed that troops maintained dominance of the general area and continued pursuit of fleeing armed elements.

Troops engage armed bandits in heavy gun battle during raid on suspected hideout in Zamfara

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