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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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Man kills father during domestic dispute in Bauchi community

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Man kills father during domestic dispute in Bauchi community

By: Zagazola Makama

A man, identified as Limam Muhammad Baba, has allegedly killed his biological father, Malam Baba Siti, during a domestic altercation.

The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, July 3, at about 10:15 p.m., in Uzum village, Giade Local Government Area of Bauchi State, when an argument between the two escalated, leading Limam to strike his father on the head with a stick.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victim collapsed immediately and lost consciousness.

Police sources say “The report was received at the Giade Divisional Police Headquarters at about 10:30 p.m. that the suspect used force on his biological father by striking him on the head with a stick, leading to the victim falling unconscious.

He added that a team of police operatives was immediately mobilised to the scene. The suspect was arrested, and the victim was taken to the General Hospital in Giade, where a medical doctor confirmed him dead on arrival.

The police sources said the body of the deceased was deposited at the hospital morgue while an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident has commenced.

He assured that the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

Man kills father during domestic dispute in Bauchi community

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Deputy chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA attacked, four suspects arrested

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Deputy chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA attacked, four suspects arrested

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces have apprehended four suspects in connection with an attack on the Deputy Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Mr Christopher Chia.

Sources told Zagazola Makama, that the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, when Chia was reportedly attacked by a group of young men suspected to be cultists.

The sources said the police received a distress call from the victim at about 6:00 a.m.

“Police patrol and tactical teams were immediately deployed to the scene. The victim was rescued and taken to Toro Hospital in Katsina-Ala, where he was treated and later discharged,” said the sources.

According to the sources, preliminary investigation led to the arrest of four suspects, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the prime suspect identified simply as Richard, a member of the Black Axe confraternity, who is currently at large.

The sources added that the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has commenced a full investigation into the matter to unravel the motive behind the attack and bring all those involved to justice.

Deputy chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA attacked, four suspects arrested

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Joint task force rescues kidnap victim in Abuja after 40km forest operation

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Joint task force rescues kidnap victim in Abuja after 40km forest operation

By: Zagazola Makama

A joint task force comprising operatives of the
Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, local hunters, and vigilantes has successfully rescued a kidnap victim, Rasheed Soyinka, after a 40-kilometre forest operation across parts of Abuja.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the victim was abducted at gunpoint from his residence in Sabon Lugbe in the early hours of July 3, prompting a swift multi-agency response.

Shortly after the abduction, which occurred around 1:00 a.m., a joint task force involving the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, DSS operatives, local hunters, and vigilante groups, swung into action.

The coordinated operation, extended through Dafara via Gau Forest in Kuje Area Council and continued into Kabin Mongoro and Kwaita forests in Kwali Area Council, covering an estimated distance of 40 kilometres.

“Following sustained pressure and professional coordination, the victim was rescued at about 12:05 a.m. on July 4 without any casualties,”said the sources.

Soyinka was subsequently reunited with his family through his elder brother, while efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing abductors.

Joint task force rescues kidnap victim in Abuja after 40km forest operation

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