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UNICEF Hands Over Medical Equipment Worth Over $300,000 To Borno Govt

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UNICEF Hands Over Medical Equipment Worth Over $300,000 To Borno Govt

By Francis Okoye

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has handed over health supplies and equipment worth over $300,000 US dollars to Borno state government.

Speaking at a brief handover ceremony held at UNICEF Central Store in Maiduguri on Thursday, the UNICEF Chief of Borno Field Office, Phuong Nguyen, said a quarter of health facilities in north-east Nigeria have been destroyed, while a shortage of health workers and essential equipment and drugs has impeded the delivery of quality health services to pregnant women, newborns and children.

She noted that the intervention was to ensure that
pregnant women, newborns and vulnerable children are getting better healthcare services to fulfill their potential.

According to her, women and children have paid the highest cost of armed conflict in north-east Nigeria, especially in 2020, with each day of conflict claiming the lives of 170 children from direct and indirect causes in northeast Nigeria, which reduced access to health services, based on the United Nations Developement Programme ( UNDP) agency report.

She explained that UNICEF will soon hand over a newly built primary health care center and supplies worth over $15,000 already installed at the Hajj Camp Clinic to strengthen healthcare delivery for children and adults affected by conflict in Borno state.

She said, “Protracted conflict has continued to contribute to disease outbreaks and high maternal and child mortality rates, including child malnutrition in north-east Nigeria.

“With this intervention, pregnant women, newborns and children affected by conflict in Borno State will be able to access qualitative healthcare services in their communities, through the provision of essential health supplies in primary health care facilities located in their communities.”

“This support is in addition to other essential health and nutrition services UNICEF and donors is providing to conflict-affected women and children through the government and other partners.

She further explained that UNICEF will continue to work with governments across the north-east to ensure the survival and wellbeing of women and children.

Receiving the the medical supplies, the Borno state commissioner of health, Prof. Malam Gana said the equipment will go a long way in reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality rate in the Borno.

He explained that Borno state is one of the state in Nigeria with highest indices of maternal and neonatal mortality but said UNICEF is committed to seeing that every child and pregnant woman gets the best healthcare delivery in the state.

“I will like to recall the generosity of UNICEF in terms of assisting the Borno state government especially in this 13th years of insurgency which had resulted in the lost of 45 % per cent of our health care facilities .

“”Some of them were partially damaged and some of them were neglected by the insurgents and it has led to lost of a lot of personnel . Some were kidnapped, some were killed and some have suffered from distress disorder, that left Borno state in a callous and critical situation.

“But with the assistance from UNICEF, we have gotten some succour for our people, ” Gana said.

UNICEF Hands Over Medical Equipment Worth Over $300,000 To Borno Govt

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Military

Army, DSS arrest notorious cultist, gunrunner in Cross River, recover weapons

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Army, DSS arrest notorious cultist, gunrunner in Cross River, recover weapons

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 13 Brigade, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected cultist and gunrunner during a raid operation in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 1:10 a.m. on April 3 along Effangha Spring Road in Ikom.

The sources disclosed that the suspect, who hails from Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, was apprehended during the coordinated raid.

According to the sources, troops recovered one revolver pistol, one sword, two laptops, four mobile phones, one digital camera, one wristwatch, three identity cards, and a sack of garri allegedly used to conceal the weapon.

The suspect and recovered items have since been handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Security authorities said the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb cult-related violence and illegal arms circulation in the South-South region.

Army, DSS arrest notorious cultist, gunrunner in Cross River, recover weapons

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Gunmen kill village head, wife in Adamawa, son hospitalised

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Gunmen kill village head, wife in Adamawa, son hospitalised

By: Zagazola Makama

Unknown gunmen have killed a village head and his wife in Tunga Waja community, Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 8:50 p.m. on April 2, when the assailants attacked the residence of the village head and opened fire on him, his wife and their son.

The sources disclosed that the village head died on the spot, while his wife and son sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated to a medical facility in Tingno for treatment.

According to the sources, the wife later died at the hospital, while the son is currently receiving treatment.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

The incident has heightened concerns among residents, as security agencies intensify efforts to restore calm and prevent further attacks in the area.

Gunmen kill village head, wife in Adamawa, son hospitalised

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Three soldiers injured in road accident during pursuit of bandits in Kaduna

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Three soldiers injured in road accident during pursuit of bandits in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Three soldiers have sustained injuries following a road traffic accident during an encounter with suspected armed bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on April 2, when troops of 2 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base Dogon Dawa were returning from an administrative patrol.

The sources explained that the troops reportedly sighted a group of armed bandits attempting to block the road at Ngede Allah and engaged them, forcing the criminals to flee.

During the pursuit, however, three soldiers fell off a military gun truck and sustained varying degrees of injuries, including fractures to the hand and leg.

The injured personnel were immediately evacuated to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna, where they are currently receiving treatment and responding positively.

Security operations in the area have continued as troops maintain pressure on criminal elements within the axis.

Three soldiers injured in road accident during pursuit of bandits in Kaduna

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