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Struggling to survive — The hidden victims of Nigeria’s conflict
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
News
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Government has distributed relief materials to 434 indigenes of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area who were recently rescued by security agencies after spending three months in Boko Haram captivity.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the victims in Pulka on Monday and directed the immediate distribution of food and non-food items to support their recovery and reintegration.

In compliance with the Governor’s directive, the Director General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Ali Abdullahi Isa, promptly supervised the distribution exercise.
Each rescued person received a bag of rice, a bag of maize grits, a mattress, a wrapper, and a shadda, while children received two pairs of clothing.

In addition, 208 heads of households received N50,000 each, fulfilling Governor Zulum’s earlier pledge of financial assistance.
Speaking during the distribution, the SEMA Director General said the intervention was part of the government’s immediate response to ease the hardship faced by the rescued victims.

“I am here at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who was here some few days ago, and to deliver the items he directed that it should be given to you as emergency relief,” Ali stated.
The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support at a government facility. Upon completion of the rehabilitation process, they will be reintegrated into their respective communities.
The exercise was carried out alongside the Chairman of Gwoza local government, representatives of the Ngoshe community, and other officials.
Zulum Delivers Relief, Cash Support to 434 Ngoshe Residents Rescued from Boko Haram
News
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, marked Democracy Day with the handover of two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and critical logistics to the Nigerian Army, after joining internally displaced persons (IDPs) for a symbolic celebration and distribution of food items to 2,500 beneficiaries.
The armoured MRAPs delivered to the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai on Friday are intended to enhance troop protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambushes which remain a persistent threat in the fight against insurgents. Additional logistics include operational Hilux vehicles and motorcycles for frontline soldiers in difficult terrains.
Zulum also marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Madinatu camp where he distributed food supplies, non-food items, and cash gifts to thousands of beneficiaries.
The distribution, held at the Madinatu IDP camp, served to consolidate Zulum’s resettlement gains. Over the past seven years, Borno State Government has successfully resettled more than 2 million IDPs in their ancestral communities in a dignified and voluntary manner.
“It gladdens my heart today, the 12th of June, 2026, to celebrate June 12th, Democracy Day, here in Madinatu Camp, the only formal camp that is standing inside Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, today, to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind, for the distribution of food and non-food items. Inshallah, this camp will be closed this year. This will be our last distribution exercise in this camp, or the second to the last,” Zulum said.
However, Governor Zulum used the occasion to announce a timeline for the camp’s closure. The governor ordered that Madinatu camp be shut down within one month, vowing to similarly close most IDP camps across various Local Government Areas in the coming phase of his administration’s resettlement strategy.
“Democracy must translate into restoring the dignity of our people,” Zulum told the IDPs. “Living in camps is not a permanent solution. Our goal remains to return every displaced person to their ancestral homes with security and means of livelihood.”
In addition to the food items, Zulum approved N50,000 each for the 2,500 beneficiaries present at the event.
“Each of the 500 beneficiaries mentioned will receive a 25kg bag of rice and a 25kg bag of sorghum. Women will receive wrappers. I also promise to provide 50,000 naira to each beneficiary. This amount can be credited into their own individual accounts, inshallah,” Zulum said.
The exercise was attended by the APC’s State Deputy Chairman, Garba Mulima, APC State Vice Chairman (Central) Abdur Rahman Abdulkarim, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, Member representing Jere at the State Assembly, Abba Kyari Kolo, commissioners and commissioner designates and several other senior government officials.
Democracy Day: Zulum gives 2 MRAPs, other logistics to Army, celebrates with IDPs
News
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
By: Michael Mike
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the arrest of a suspected gun courier intercepted while allegedly transporting weapons believed to be destined for criminal elements in Katsina State.
The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday, June 12, 2026.

Governor Yusuf described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes threatening communities across Northern Nigeria.
According to information provided by the DSS, the suspect, identified as Muhammad Abubakar, 30, was apprehended in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State while allegedly transporting four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, three AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines to Funtua in Katsina State.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect collected the weapons from an individual identified as Bello in the Maigatari border area of Jigawa State and was expected to receive N450,000 upon successful delivery of the arms.
Governor Yusuf praised the professionalism, vigilance and intelligence-driven approach of DSS operatives, noting that the timely interception prevented the weapons from falling into the hands of bandits and other criminal groups.
He said the operation underscored the critical role of intelligence gathering and effective collaboration among security agencies in tackling emerging security threats across the country.
The governor reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to supporting security agencies through sustained cooperation, logistics assistance and policies aimed at strengthening public safety throughout the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to aid efforts to combat crime and maintain peace.
Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that ongoing investigations would lead to the arrest and prosecution of all individuals connected to the alleged arms trafficking network.
The statement was signed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.
Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano
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