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 rescue three abducted victims, recover ammunition in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued three abducted civilians and recovered ammunition during an operation in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 10:00 a.m. on March 30 by troops of 202 Battalion in collaboration with volunteer forces at BOCOBS.
According to the sources, the troops responded to credible intelligence indicating that suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram had abducted three locals in the area.
The sources said the troops made contact with the insurgents and successfully rescued all three victims during the operation.
Items recovered from the scene include one AK-47 rifle magazine loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The sources added that the rescued victims are safe, while troops have continued to dominate the general area to prevent further incidents.
They said the operation is part of sustained efforts to protect civilians and dismantle terrorist activities across the North-East theatre.
Troops rescue three abducted victims, recover ammunition in Borno
Troops repel terrorist attack in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attack by suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram on a Forward Operating Base in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 10:05 p.m. on March 30 at Forward Operating Base Bukarti.
According to the sources, the terrorists launched an attack on the troops’ position, prompting a fierce engagement during which the troops successfully repelled the assailants.
During the encounter, one soldier sustained injuries and has since been stabilised and is responding to treatment.
The sources added that the attackers carted away a gun truck mounted with a QJC gun, a Civilian Joint Task Force vehicle, two motorcycles, a PKT machine gun and a Baofeng radio.
They said troops have continued to maintain operational presence in the area, while efforts are ongoing to recover the stolen equipment and further degrade the capabilities of the insurgents.
Troops repel terrorist attack in Yobe
CJTF member accidentally shot by colleague in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) has been injured in an accidental shooting incident in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:50 a.m. on March 31 at the location of 162 Amphibious Battalion in Mandara-Girau.
According to the sources, the CJTF member was on duty when he was mistakenly shot in the left leg by a colleague.
The victim was immediately evacuated to the battalion’s medical facility, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Sources said the injured personnel are responding to treatment, while further details surrounding the incident are being awaited.
CJTF member accidentally shot by colleague in Borno
Troops arrest two suspected terrorist collaborators in Pulka
Troops rescue three abducted victims, recover ammunition in Borno
Troops repel terrorist attack in Yobe
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