News
UNHCR: About 7m persons forcefully displaced in West African… Nigeria hosts higher number of over 3.5m
UNHCR: About 7m persons forcefully displaced in West African
… Nigeria hosts higher number of over 3.5m
By: Michael Mike
The United United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has emphasized the need for the protection of refugee, lamenting that no fewer than 6,976,470 million persons have been forcibly displaced due to conflicts and violence within the ECOWAS sub-region.
The United Nations Refugee Agency, noted that of the total displaced persons, 624,124 are listed refugees seeking asylum.
Also included in the figure is 6,352,346 internally displaced persons (IDPs).
UNHCR revealed that Nigeria and Burkina Faso are currently hosting the largest populations of displaced individuals, with 3,578,996 and 2,062,534 people respectively, with Niger currently accommodating the largest refugee population, totalling 325,419 individuals.
The was revealed by the Director of UNHCR Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa, Mr. Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde during the signing of a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UNHCR and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission aimed at protecting the rights of refugees in the West African subregion
The revised MOU, which was initially signed between the two institutions in 2001, now adds new areas of collaboration, such as the identification and protection of refugees found in risky migration movements, statelessness, emergency management, and long-term solutions to forcible displacements.
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) with the signing of the revised MOU have reached an agreement to enhance their cooperation in safeguarding the rights and well-being of refugees, stateless individuals, and internally displaced persons within the region.
The agreement was based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed between the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E Dr Omar Alieu Touray, and the Director of UNHCR Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa, Mr. Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde.
Touray outlined some of the ECOWAS Commission’s initiatives to address the political and humanitarian crises in the region and said the organisation’s member states are assiduously working to address the underlying causes of the conflicts in the area through diplomatic and political engagements. The ECOWAS President expressed confidence in the Commission’s continued efforts in these areas to produce fruitful results.
Mr. Gnon-Konde, on his part said there is an ongoing occurrence of violent conflicts, disasters, and insecurity in various countries.
This, he said has forcefully compelled a number of individuals to leave their residences, both within the sub-region and beyond.
He therefore described UNHCR’s collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission as long-lasting, highly productive, and relevant in view of the current humanitarian context confronting the sub-region.
He noted that UNHCR also collaborates closely with other ECOWAS institutions, especially with the ECOWAS Court of Justice and the ECOWAS Parliament, with which UNHCR has previously signed distinct MOUs to address forcible displacement issues within the ECOWAS sub-region, building on the specific mandates of each of these institutions.
UNHCR: About 7m persons forcefully displaced in West African
… Nigeria hosts higher number of over 3.5m
Troops Discover Illegal Oil Bunkering Site in Rivers State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), have uncovered an illegal oil bunkering site in Abessa Forest, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 10:00 a.m. on April 21 by troops of 103 Battalion (Mechanised) during an anti-illegal bunkering operation.
At the site, troops reportedly found four small drum ovens, 50 sacks containing crude oil estimated at about 3,000 litres, and two waste pits used for illegal refining activities.
The sources said the recovered items were handled in accordance with Operation DELTA SAFE directives.
Authorities added that operations to dismantle illegal refining camps and disrupt crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta region are ongoing.
Troops Discover Illegal Oil Bunkering Site in Rivers State
Residents Repel Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Neutralise One Assailant
By: Zagazola Makama
Residents of Achida community in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State have successfully repelled a bandit attack, in what has been described as a rare display of coordinated community self-defence.
Security and local sources said the incident occurred when armed bandits stormed the community, but were met with stiff resistance from residents and local vigilante groups who mobilised quickly to confront the attackers.
The villagers reportedly engaged the assailants directly, forcing them to retreat after a brief confrontation.
During the encounter, one of the suspected bandits was neutralised by the community defence group, while others fled with possible injuries.
The sources commended the courage and unity of the residents, particularly the vigilante members, for their swift response in defending their community against the attack.
Security authorities are expected to continue patrols and follow-up operations in the area to prevent further incidents and track fleeing suspects.
Residents Repel Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Neutralise One Assailant
COAS Commissions Health Centre in Imo Under Intervention Project
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. W. Shaibu, has commissioned the Umuhu-Okabia Health Centre in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State as part of the Nigerian Army Intervention Projects.
The COAS was represented at the event on April 22 by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division and Commander, Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDO KA, Maj.-Gen. O.A. Fadairo.
Security sources said the commissioning ceremony was well attended by dignitaries, including the representative of the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Maj.-Gen. V.D. Beryo, and the Chief Host, Maj.-Gen. K.O. Ukandu, alongside royal fathers and other invited guests.
The newly commissioned health facility is part of the Nigerian Army’s civil-military cooperation initiatives aimed at improving access to basic healthcare services in local communities.
COAS Commissions Health Centre in Imo Under Intervention Project
Troops Discover Illegal Oil Bunkering Site in Rivers State
Residents Repel Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Neutralise One Assailant
COAS Commissions Health Centre in Imo Under Intervention Project
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