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
News
GOC 1 Division visits Ariko community in Kaduna after church attack, urges stronger local vigilance
GOC 1 Division visits Ariko community in Kaduna after church attack, urges stronger local vigilance
By: Zagazola Makama
The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 Operation Fansan Yamma has visited Ariko village in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State following an attack on an ECWA Church in the area.
Security sources said the visit on April 5 was aimed at conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the incident and engaging with community stakeholders on measures to strengthen security.
During the visit, the GOC toured the affected church, surrounding areas, and access routes into and out of the village to assess operational challenges faced during response efforts.
He also met with the traditional ruler of Kachia, youth leaders, and other residents, where he commiserated with them over the attack and assured them of continued security support.
The GOC commended troops for their swift response, which led to the rescue of some hostages during the incident.
He further urged residents to strengthen local vigilance structures, including the formation of community vigilante groups to serve as first responders in emergencies.
He also advised that communities consider closer coordination among nearby churches with security coverage, while additional security measures are being implemented to enhance protection of lives and property.
GOC 1 Division visits Ariko community in Kaduna after church attack, urges stronger local vigilance
News
GOC 82 Division, senior commanders visit troops in Orsu, assess operational progress at “Mother Valley”
GOC 82 Division, senior commanders visit troops in Orsu, assess operational progress at “Mother Valley”
By: Zagazola Makama
The General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDO KA, Maj.-Gen. OA Fadairo, alongside the Chief of Army Staff (Administration), Maj.-Gen. T.B. Ugiagbe, have visited troops deployed at Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State to assess ongoing operations in the area.
Security sources said the visit on April 5 was aimed at obtaining first-hand information on operational activities around the area popularly referred to as the “Mother Valley”.
The team was received by the Commander of 34 Artillery Brigade Garrison, Lt.-Col. J. Abu.
During the visit, the senior officers were briefed on operational successes recorded, key achievements, and challenges encountered by troops in the course of ongoing clearance operations.
They were also conducted on a guided tour of key locations around the area, including strategic observation points overlooking the “Mother Valley”, where they assessed the extent of terrain covered and areas cleared by troops.
The assessment, according to security sources, was intended to support further deployment planning aimed at denying criminal elements suspected to be linked to Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing Eastern Security Network freedom of action within the locality.
The visit was conducted without any security incident.
GOC 82 Division, senior commanders visit troops in Orsu, assess operational progress at “Mother Valley”
News
Borno: troops neutralise insurgent, recover logistics items in ambush operation near Pulka
Borno: troops neutralise insurgent, recover logistics items in ambush operation near Pulka
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised a suspected insurgent and recovered several logistics items during a successful ambush operation in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 2:30 a.m. on April 6, 2026, by an ambush team of E Company, 192 Battalion, deployed at Forward Operating Base Pulka, in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force.

The troops, while in ambush position around Zubulum village along the Pulka–Rawa road, came into contact with suspected logistics elements of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.
The troops engaged the insurgents with sustained firepower, neutralising one of them, while others fled with suspected gunshot wounds.
No casualty was recorded among the troops.
Items recovered from the scene included about 350 empty cases of 7.62mm ammunition, a bag of salt, a roll of vaseline, slippers, detergent, sachets of milk, eight pieces of clothing materials, two microphones and four copies of the Holy Qur’an.
The sources said the recovered items indicated that the fleeing insurgents were on a logistics mission.
Troops subsequently exploited the area and returned to base at about 8:15 a.m.
The attackers are believed to be affiliated with Boko Haram
Borno: troops neutralise insurgent, recover logistics items in ambush operation near Pulka
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