News
Statement from Dr Christos CHRISTOU, MSF International President

Statement from Dr Christos CHRISTOU, MSF International President
By: Our Reporter
When I heard about the flooding that hit Maiduguri, on the top of the extreme challenges people in the region have faced for decades, I wanted to shed light on the challenges impacting people. Coming to Nigeria, I have seen why the massive flooding in Maiduguri has gained some attention worldwide – the shocking scale has affected millions of people. But it is not the only region of Nigeria affected by flooding.
People in northern Nigeria have been through a lot – overwhelming levels of malnutrition, frequent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, lack of medical facilities and medical personnel; all of this has been compounded by continuous insecurity. People now have to seek temporary shelter in displacement camps once again, rebuild their homes once again, and try to figure out what’s left of their farmland.
Because this flooding happened at the end of the lean season, it has deprived farmers of even the illusory hope to harvest. During my visit to Maiduguri, I went to the hospitals and clinics where MSF works. We support the local healthcare system in tackling malaria and other diseases, as well as in providing access to maternity services.
Recently, we had to launch a cholera treatment centre, after a cholera outbreak was officially declared. All this has happened in the background of a catastrophic malnutrition crisis.
One of my colleagues, a Nigerian doctor who has been working with MSF for more than eight years, told me that this year is very different. Every year, he said, during this season, we see terrible numbers of malnourished children coming to the hospital in a severe condition. But this year, at a time when the peak is supposed to be over, the number of patients admitted to the hospital is not going down. Worse, the condition in which they arrive is even more severe than usual. Very often people don’t have access even to basic medical care where they live, and do not have enough money or available transport.
As a result, they reach to us too late. Now, many organisations which were providing support in Maiduguri and other parts of the north of Nigeria have had to reduce their budgets or even stop their operations. Will MSF, a non-governmental organisation relying on private donations, be able to help all who are in need? My colleague sounded really scared.
For the past few years, MSF has seen a significant increase in the number of admissions for malnutrition. The numbers in 2022 and 2023 were already critically high. But between January to August this year, we have seen a fifty-one per cent increase in admissions of children with severe malnutrition, compared to the same period last year. Over the first eight months of this year, we have treated 52,725 children with severe malnutrition, a life-threatening condition, across the whole of northern Nigeria.
On top of this, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles are recurrent in Nigeria, and one of the leading causes of death amongst children. Between January – August this year alone, we had already treated over 12,500 cases of measles. That’s nearly double the same period last year. Outbreaks of infectious diseases significantly increase mortality risks for children under the age of five.
Unvaccinated children in this age group are particularly vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases, diseases which elevate the risk of acute malnutrition.
In addition, there is malaria. Nigeria has the highest rates of malaria in the world – accounting for nearly 27 per cent of the global malaria burden. This disease can be prevented and treated. Yet in most of the projects we see that our malaria wards are overwhelmed, and children continue to die from it.
We all clearly see that the scale of the humanitarian crises is devastating. We need to see intensified lifesaving care for malnutrition, with a focus on preventive programmes to act before children become critically ill. Enhancing vaccination coverage requires routine immunisation services, with sustained investment from the authorities to maintain basic health care, alongside catch-up campaigns that extend to children under five.
The humanitarian community faces a lot of challenges globally, with the magnitude of emergencies exceeding all imaginable quantities and scale. But in Nigeria thousands of families have just lost their crops. They already lack access to basic health care and have been struggling for survival for many years. The humanitarian community needs to act and to provide necessary support now. This is not the time to relent, this is not the time to stop. We have to help the people who need assistance now.
Statement from Dr Christos CHRISTOU, MSF International President
Crime
Suspected Serial Killer “Abba Dujal” Surrenders to Police in Kano After Clearance Raids

Suspected Serial Killer “Abba Dujal” Surrenders to Police in Kano After Clearance Raids
By: Zagazola Makama
A suspected serial killer and notorious armed robbery kingpin, Umar Auwal, also known as “Abba Dujal,” has voluntarily surrendered to the Kano State Police Command following a series of clearance operations across the state.
Intelligence sources informed Zagazola Makama that the suspect, a male resident of Wudil Local Government Area, turned himself in to the Command’s Anti-Daba (Anti-Thuggery) Squad on April 14, 2025, at about 1700hrs, where he reportedly confessed to his involvement in multiple cases of culpable homicide, armed robbery, and the snatching of motorcycles and mobile phones in different parts of the state and surrounding areas.
Police sources said the suspect is currently in custody, while investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of his criminal network and bring all collaborators to justice.
The sources said that the surrender followed a sustained clearance raid carried out by the command on April 12, during which 61 suspects were apprehended at various black spots and criminal hideouts within the metropolis and its environs. Several exhibits were also recovered during the operation.
“The Command remains committed to rooting out criminal elements from all corners of the state and will continue to intensify its intelligence-led operations to safeguard lives and property,” he said.
Suspected Serial Killer “Abba Dujal” Surrenders to Police in Kano After Clearance Raids
News
Commissioner of Police Strengthens Ties with Emir of Damaturu“`

Commissioner of Police Strengthens Ties with Emir of Damaturu“`
By: Dungus Abdulkarim
The Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ado,psc,fdc paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Dr. Shehu Hashimi II Ibn Umar El-Kenemi, at the Emir’s Palace in Damaturu. This visit is part of the command’s efforts to foster collaboration and strengthen relationships with traditional leaders and stakeholders.
During the visit, CP Ado expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and emphasized the significance of working together to maintain peace and security in the state. He acknowledged the Emir’s pivotal role in promoting community cohesion and pledged to continue building on the progress achieved by his predecessor.
The Emir appreciated the command’s efforts in combating crime and insurgency, noting the positive impact on businesses and social lives in the state. He assured CP Ado of his continued support and cooperation, emphasizing the importance of partnership in achieving security goals.
The visit underscores the command’s commitment to community policing and highlights the value of collaboration between security agencies and traditional leaders
Commissioner of Police Strengthens Ties with Emir of Damaturu“`
News
Insecurity: Zulum hosts northern Emirs in Maiduguri

Insecurity: Zulum hosts northern Emirs in Maiduguri
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, hosted Northern Traditional Rulers Council for its 7th Executive Committee Meeting on Tuesday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The meeting aims to tackle the rising insecurity plaguing Northern Nigeria.
The meeting with the theme, “Enhanced Security As A Panacea For Stability and Development of the North” was declared open by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who was represented by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

In his remarks earlier, Governor Zulum highlighted security and peacebuilding, agriculture and youth empowerment as the critical pillars of sustainable development in the northern region.
The Governor also called on all stakeholders to focus on providing opportunities for the youth in northern Nigeria. He said, “our youth population is large, energetic and eager to contribute, but many are without opportunities. This vacuum is dangerous. We must invest heavily in skills acquisition, vocational education, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship. Empowered youths are not only less vulnerable to crime or radicalisation, they become active agents of development.”

Governor Zulum also stressed that agriculture had remained the economic lifeline for the north, hence a deliberate effort is needed to enhance farming activities across the region.
“With vast arable land and a population well-versed in farming, agriculture is our greatest opportunity. However, insecurity has displaced farmers and halted rural productivity. We must secure our farmlands and support modern agricultural practices to restore livelihoods and reduce dependency. In Borno, we are expanding access to inputs, mechanised farming and irrigation despite the challenges, and the results are promising,” Zulum said.
He added, “On behalf of the government and good people of Borno State, I assure you of our commitment to peace, justice and shared progress. Together, with faith and determination, we will rebuild the north physically, socially and economically.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, explained that the meeting in Borno was to strengthen unity among states in the north and to deliberate on the situation in the region to support the political leadership in addressing series of problems across the north.
The National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff and Inspector General of Police were all represented.

Also in attendance were the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Gombe, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, represented by his Deputy, Manassah Daniel Jatau, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai, among many other Emirs across the 19 states of the northern region.
Insecurity: Zulum hosts northern Emirs in Maiduguri
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