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Struggling to survive — The hidden victims of Nigeria’s conflict

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Struggling to survive — The hidden victims of Nigeria’s conflict

By Dr. Kelechi Onyemaobi

Ngala, Borno state: In northeast Nigeria, we find malnutrition rates are the highest among those who manage to escape conflict-hit, inaccessible locations in search of refuge in largertowns, where they receive food and nutritional support from the United Nations World Food programme (WFP).

Despite her best efforts, 19-year-old Yasa is unable to feed her crying daughter, Aisha. Barely 40 days-old, Aisha is suffering from acute malnutrition. Yasa is also malnourished, and she has stopped producing breast milk.

We meet Yasa sitting with a small group of women and children beneath a tree. They are all new arrivals at Arabic Camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The mood among the women is sombre – the weight of their experiences too heavy to speak aloud.

The camp sits on the edge of Ngala-Gomboru, a town five kilometres from the Cameroonian border in Borno state. Since 2016, Ngala has been home to a growing population of IDPs, now estimated at over 100,000 people. They have sought refuge here, fleeing from the long-running conflict in Northeast Nigeria between government forces and non-state armed actors.

Many of the newly arrived families, like Yasa and her daughter, have managed to escape from areas inaccessible to humanitarian actors. Fear and hunger have driven them from their homes. Yasa walked more than 50 kilometres from her village in Dime to find safety.

People across Northeast Nigeria bear the greatest burden of this 15-year conflict. According the latest food security analysis, Cadre Harmonise, 5 million people face acute food insecurity in the coming months and 2.6 million children are malnutrition in the region.

Yasa tells us that at least four people recently died from hunger in Dime. Determined to survive, she decided her only option was to escape and head towards Ngala.

“A lot of people are starving at home. They’re trapped in Dime,and there is no food to eat. I would eat wild seeds and grass. Sometimes, I would follow a trail of soldier ants, then dig up their nest to find a small mound of millet or sorghum seeds. This is how I survived,” says Yasa.

On arriving at Arabic Camp three weeks ago, Care International, who partner with WFP in Ngala, quickly arranged for her to be included in the nutrition programme. Yasa now receives rations of super cereal, fortified with extra vitamins and minerals. Carealso referred Aisha to the camp clinic for more specialist emergency care.

In Ngala more than 22,000 children receiving nutrition assistance provided under WFP’s preventative nutrition programme – supported by donors including the European Union. New arrivals at the camp, particularly malnourishedwomen and children, are immediately enrolled into the programme and receive targeted nutritional support.

“Presently, we have 116 cases of severe malnutrition which we referred for emergency treatment at clinics. We have enrolled about 280 moderate cases among new IDPs into the WFP nutrition safety net,” says Care’s Nutrition Assistant in Ngala.

“We fear a silent disaster is unfolding in some remote areas,” explains Chi Lael, Head of Communications at WFP in Nigeria. “Gaining safe and unhindered access to these stranded communities to assess their needs is one of our top priorities”.

20-year-old Ata recently arrived in Ngala, having fled from her home in the village of Soloba, in Cameroon. For the past two weeks she has been receiving supplementary food from WFP. The super cereal she receives has helped to bring her four-month-old daughter, Ramata, back from the brink of starvation.

“When I first arrived in the camp, I was so weak I could barely feed my child”, says Ata. “Now my milk has returned and I am breastfeeding again. Ramata is getting stronger every day”.

Struggling to survive — The hidden victims of Nigeria’s conflict

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Remi Tinubu commissions nursing quarters, two mega schools in Borno

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Remi Tinubu commissions nursing quarters, two mega schools in Borno

By: Michael Mike

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday commissioned newly completed nursing quarters and two mega primary schools in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and expand access to quality education in the state.

The projects were executed under Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration, which has continued to prioritize infrastructure development in the health and education sectors.

The newly inaugurated nursing quarters, located beside the State Specialist Hospital, consist of eight blocks of six flats each. The housing units are fully furnished and fitted with air-conditioning systems to improve living conditions for medical personnel.

In the education sector, Senator Tinubu also commissioned Aliyakeri and Abbaganaram Mega Primary Schools. Each facility features 48 classrooms designed to accommodate thousands of pupils, alongside ICT centres, modern sports facilities, e-learning platforms, and solar-powered systems to ensure uninterrupted academic activities.

Speaking at the ceremony, the First Lady commended Governor Zulum’s leadership style, describing the projects as people-focused and impactful.

“What we have seen so far in Borno is quite encouraging. You have done very well, and I am truly honoured to be part of this commissioning,” she said.

Governor Zulum’s administration has reportedly completed 104 mega schools across the state, with additional projects ongoing across Borno’s 27 local government areas.

During the event, Senator Tinubu also flagged off a N200 million empowerment programme targeting 2,000 vulnerable women. Each beneficiary is expected to receive N100,000 alongside a sewing machine to support small-scale businesses and improve household income.

The First Lady praised the initiative, noting that it aligns with national efforts to strengthen community-based economic empowerment and food security programmes.

Under the distribution plan, 400 women were selected from Maiduguri metropolis, 200 from Jere Local Government Area, 100 from Biu, while 50 beneficiaries were drawn from each of the remaining 24 local government areas.

In addition, eight outstanding education workers, including teachers, head teachers, principals, TVET coordinators, and ministry staff, were presented with brand-new utility vehicles in recognition of their service.

In a related gesture, Governor Zulum also presented a house to a ministry watchman, Baba Modu Fandi, in appreciation of his dedication, while Senator Tinubu further supported him with an additional ₦2 million financial assistance.

Remi Tinubu commissions nursing quarters, two mega schools in Borno

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Two Men Sustain Severe Injuries in Mutual Attack Over Mining Site Dispute in Niger State

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Two Men Sustain Severe Injuries in Mutual Attack Over Mining Site Dispute in Niger State

By: Zagazola Makama

Two men are receiving treatment at a hospital in Niger State after sustaining serious injuries in a violent altercation reportedly linked to a dispute at an illegal mining site.

Security sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred in a Fulani settlement near Iwa village in Gurara Local Government Area.

The sources said the matter was reported to the police on April 25 at about 1:30 p.m. after the victims were brought in by the Officer-in-Charge of Iwa Outstation.

According to the sources, the confrontation began on April 24 at about 9:00 a.m. when Jibril Yusuf, 22, allegedly went to the hut of Haruna Tukur, 35, and set him ablaze after a misunderstanding at an illegal mining site.

The sources further stated that Haruna Tukur, in retaliation, attacked Jibril Yusuf with a machete, severing his fingers during the violent exchange.

Both men were rushed to the General Hospital in Gawu Babangida, where they are currently responding to treatment.

Security operatives said investigations have commenced to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident, while the case remains under active review.

Two Men Sustain Severe Injuries in Mutual Attack Over Mining Site Dispute in Niger State

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Windstorm Damages NYSC Camp in Niger, Two Children Injured

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Windstorm Damages NYSC Camp in Niger, Two Children Injured

By: Zagazola Makama

A heavy windstorm following a downpour has caused partial damage to structures at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Paiko, Niger State, leaving two children injured.

Security sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred on April 25 at about 8:00 p.m. when strong winds brought down parts of the camp infrastructure during the rainfall.

The sources said police personnel were immediately mobilised to the scene to restore order and provide security, while some corps members were safely evacuated from affected areas.

According to the sources, no loss of life was recorded in the incident.

However, two girls identified as Fati Abdul, 12, and Adewumi Adesola, 11, sustained minor injuries during the incident. They were taken to a medical facility, treated and later discharged.

The sources added that normalcy has since been restored at the camp, while the area remains calm and under observation to ensure continued safety of occupants.

Windstorm Damages NYSC Camp in Niger, Two Children Injured

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