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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
Two Notorious Bandits Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u Killed rival clashes in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
In another blow to banditry in Zamfara State, two notorious bandits, Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u, have been killed in separate encounters with rival bandit faction of Dogo Geide.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Malama that Kachalla Idi Mai Randa, a known bandit leader responsible for multiple attacks in the region, was killed in an ambush laid by rival bandit Dogo Geide on Sunday evening.
The attack occurred following a series of violent confrontations between the two factions. Idi Mai Randa had previously led an attack that resulted in the killing of Gide’s boy, prompting him to vow revenge.
Idi Mai Randa’s death comes days after the killing of Ya’u, another notorious bandit who had been previously captured in Tsafe Local Government Area.
Ya’u, a close ally of Idi Mai Randa, had been implicated in numerous attacks and was believed to be in possession of significant weaponry. Although Idi Mai Randa denied any involvement with Ya’u’s weaponry, it is now confirmed that both he and Ya’u have met their Waterloo, with the story of their deaths reported from their emclave early today.
The troops of Operation Fansan Yanma in collaboration with it Air Component as well as federal security forces, continue to make significant strides in dismantling bandit in their hideouts in the region.
The joint effort has already resulted in the deaths of several high profile bandit leaders and the capture of important assets.
Two Notorious Bandits Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u Killed rival clashes in Zamfara
Military Repels retaliation attack in Tsafe after Killing Notorious Bandit Kachalla Jafaru
By: Zagazola Makama
The troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) successfully repelled a retaliatory attack by bandits in Bilbis town, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, in the midnight of Monday.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack followed the death of a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Jafaru, who was killed during a recent military encounter with the terrorists in Bilbis.
Jafaru, known for his expertise in kidnapping for ransom and terrorizing communities, including Hayin Gada and Kunchin Kalgo. He was a brother to the infamous bandit leader Ado Aliero, who was on the top wanted list of the Nigerian military.
Sources revealed that after Jafaru’s death, Fulani bandits in the area mobilized to attack Bilbis in retaliation. However, security operatives were alerted and launched a counter-operation at about 11:30 a.m., engaging the bandits in a fierce gun battle that lasted until 4:00 p.m.
The military, with support from CJTF members, successfully thwarted the attack, neutralizing several bandits, injuring others, and recovering numerous motorcycles and weapons.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the security operatives transporting five bodies of bandits on motorcycles and one in a vehicle, along with other confiscated items.
Jafaru’s reign of terror had significantly disrupted several communities in Tsafe, with repeated incidents of kidnappings and extortion. His demise is seen as a major breakthrough in efforts to restore peace to the area.
Military Repels retaliation attack in Tsafe after Killing Notorious Bandit Kachalla Jafaru
Zulum Approves Contract for Road Dualization and Drainage System Construction
… To be Completed Within Four Months
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has officially awarded a contract to Obtuse Tech Engineering and Construction Company Ltd for the dualization of a 2.5km road and the construction of a 5km drainage system. This project, spanning from Budum Tandari Junction to Neital Shoe Factory through Kasuwan Shanu in Maiduguri, Borno State, is set to be completed in four months.
The contract, valued at ₦5,002,552,300.80, is part of the government’s efforts to enhance infrastructure and improve the transportation network within the state. The agreement was formalized with the Honorable Commissioner for Works and Housing Engr Mustapha Gubio, signing on behalf of the Borno State Government, while Umar Lawan, CEO/MD of Obtuse Tech Engineering and Construction Company Ltd, signed on behalf of the company.
The contract signing ceremony was witnessed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Abakar Bawari, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Engr. Kori Shettima, and staff from both the Borno State Government and Obtuse Tech Company.
Zulum Approves Contract for Road Dualization and Drainage System Construction
Two Notorious Bandits Kachalla Idi Mai Randa and Ya’u Killed rival clashes in Zamfara
Military Repels retaliation attack in Tsafe after Killing Notorious Bandit Kachalla Jafaru
Zulum Approves Contract for Road Dualization and Drainage System Construction
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