News
Violence in Borno Displaces Over 5,000 as Humanitarian Needs Surge in Pulka
Violence in Borno Displaces Over 5,000 as Humanitarian Needs Surge in Pulka
By: Michael Mike
A fresh wave of armed violence in northeast Nigeria has forced more than 5,000 people from their homes in Ngoshe, pushing already fragile communities in Gwoza Local Government Area deeper into crisis.
The international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) confirmed it has launched an emergency response in Pulka, where displaced families have sought refuge following deadly attacks on March 3. The assault reportedly left scores dead and many others abducted, triggering mass displacement to the nearby town, located about 15 kilometres away.
Survivors arriving in Pulka described scenes of devastation and hurried escape. Many fled with nothing, leaving behind homes and livelihoods destroyed by violence.
“Our homes were bombed, everything we owned was gone,” said Safiya Mohammed Aga, a displaced resident of Ngoshe told MSF: “We ran for our lives. Some of us arrived here without clothes or anything at all.”
With no formal shelter available, thousands are now sleeping in open spaces and along streets, exposed to harsh conditions and growing insecurity. Women, children and the elderly are among the most vulnerable, facing acute shortages of food, clean water and basic sanitation.
MSF said the lack of essential services is increasing the risk of disease outbreaks, particularly among children. In response, the organisation began a four-week emergency intervention on April 10, targeting the most urgent needs.
So far, more than 900 families have received non-food items such as cooking utensils, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and water containers. Additionally, 884 dignity kits—containing menstrual hygiene supplies, soap and oral care items—have been distributed to vulnerable individuals.
To address water shortages, MSF teams are delivering approximately 16,000 litres of safe drinking water daily, while also rehabilitating sanitation facilities and conducting hygiene awareness campaigns to prevent the spread of disease.
Despite these efforts, MSF officials warn that the scale of the crisis far exceeds current assistance.
“People urgently need food and improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene services,” said Abdoulaye Mahmoudoune, MSF’s emergency field coordinator. “We are responding, but we cannot meet these overwhelming needs alone.”
The crisis in Gwoza reflects a broader pattern of protracted conflict across Borno State, where years of insurgency have repeatedly displaced communities and strained already limited infrastructure. Health facilities remain under pressure, while humanitarian funding continues to decline.
MSF has been supporting healthcare services in the area, including operations at Gwoza General Hospital since August 2025, alongside maternal and child health programmes in surrounding communities and nutrition interventions for malnourished children in Maiduguri.
However, the organisation warns that funding gaps and reduced humanitarian presence are placing life-saving services at serious risk.
MSF is now calling on other humanitarian agencies to urgently scale up assistance in Pulka, particularly in food distribution and water, sanitation and hygiene services. It also appealed to international donors to increase sustained funding for healthcare in northeast Nigeria to prevent further deterioration of an already dire humanitarian situation.
As displacement continues and needs grow, thousands of families in Pulka remain caught in a cycle of violence and survival, with limited support and an uncertain future.
Violence in Borno Displaces Over 5,000 as Humanitarian Needs Surge in Pulka
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 212 Battalion deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Tuba have arrested three suspected cattle rustlers during an operation in Karnuwa general area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation followed intelligence provided by a local resident, Malam Muhammadu Ardo, concerning alleged cattle rustling activities within the area.
The troops reportedly mobilised to Karnuwa at about 12:30 p.m. on May 4, 2026, where they apprehended the suspects identified as Mallam Mohammad Abatcha, 28; Mallam Mamman Bukar, 18; and Malam Modu Hassan, 30.
According to the sources, the suspects were intercepted while using a pickup vehicle with registration number WW 806 GZ Delta, allegedly employed in transporting stolen cattle.
The rustled cattle were recovered and immediately handed over to their rightful owners at the scene of the arrest.
Items recovered from the suspects included a bow and arrow, three mobile phones, five national identity cards and the sum of N20,650.
Preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the suspects admitted to repeatedly stealing and selling rustled cattle to buyers in Maiduguri.
Security sources further disclosed that investigators suspect possible links between the suspects and members of the Islamic State West Africa Province or Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad due to alleged inconsistencies observed in their statements during interrogation.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 29 Battalion operating under the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have uncovered an illegal refining site and recovered about 600 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 10:00 a.m. on May 12, 2026, during ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region.
The troops reportedly discovered the illegal refining site around Asa community, where a large cooking pot loaded with stolen crude oil was found stockpiled in sacks.
Military authorities said the recovered products and equipment were handled in accordance with operational directives guiding anti-crude oil theft operations under Operation Delta Safe.
The operation was conducted without any confrontation or security incident.
The Nigerian military has continued to intensify operations against crude oil theft, illegal refining and other forms of economic sabotage across the Niger Delta region.
Troops Discover Illegal Refinery Site, Recover 600 Litres of Stolen Crude in Rivers
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi at Kafur, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have raided a suspected drug peddlers’ hideout in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 12:30 p.m. on May 12, 2026, at Huguma village following intelligence on illicit drug activities within the area.
During the raid, troops apprehended one suspect identified as a major supplier of illicit drugs and other substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
Items recovered during the operation included 146 grams of suspected cannabis and 16.5 grams of a substance identified as Exol-5.
The suspect and the recovered drugs have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
Troops Neutralise Two Terrorists in Night Ambush Operation in Borno
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Borno
Troops Intercept Vehicle Conveying Illegal Diesel in Bayelsa
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
