News
West Africa’s Disaster Management Experts Convene in Accra to Strengthen Regional Recovery and Resilience Strategies
West Africa’s Disaster Management Experts Convene in Accra to Strengthen Regional Recovery and Resilience Strategies
By: Michael Mike
Heads of Disaster Management and Civil Protection Agencies from ECOWAS Member States are gathered in Accra, Ghana for the 16th Consultative Meeting of the Regional Committee for Disaster Management in West Africa (GECEAO).
The three-day meeting, organized by the ECOWAS Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs (DHSA), aims to review the regional Recovery Roadmap and Roster, strengthen disaster coor- dination, and enhance resilience-building across the region.

Opening the event on behalf of the Director of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, Head of the Disaster Risk Management Unit, underscored the impact of disasters on West African communities over the past 25 years, noting losses exceeding a billion dollars.
He highlighted the growing frequency and intensity of disasters driven by environmental degradation, rapid urbanization, and climate change.
He said: “Member States must prioritize humanitarian assistance and invest in resilience-building programmes in collaboration with partners to mitigate these challenges.”

ECOWAS’ 2025 Humanitarian Response Initiative targets reaching over 600,000 individuals through programmes addressing food security, displacement, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hy- giene), healthcare, and early recovery support. The initiative also emphasizes regional pre- paredness, emergency response coordination, and the adoption of new technologies to ensure timely, dignified aid delivery.
Speaking on behalf of Hajiya Zubaida Umar, Director General, Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Idris Mohammed emphasized the urgent need for cooperation and collaboration for effective management of disasters across the region, stating that “West Africa is increasingly vulnerable to floods, droughts, epidemics, and conflicts—events that threaten lives and reverse development gains. Now is the time to strengthen partnerships and build a resilient and united sub-region.” By sharing experiences, expertise, and resources, we can build a more resilient region, he added.
He also shared Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to train disaster management professionals through partnerships with six federal universities, offering certificate to postgraduate programmes in disaster and development studies, aimed at building regional expertise.
He further emphasized NEMA’s commitment to working with disaster management agencies of ECOWAS member states to enhance the collective capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters. We have done it in the past, and we ready to build on our past achievements, he said.
Chairman of GECEAO and Director General of Ghana’s National Disaster Management Orga- nization (NADMO), Major (Rtd.) Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, commended Ghana’s recent legislative reforms empowering NADMO and announced the development of a national Disaster Risk Financing Strategy. He stressed the need for capacity building and called on participants to use their expertise to inform policy and drive impactful resource allocation.
“Our collaboration must translate regional hydro-meteorological warnings into tangible pre- paredness and mitigation actions,” Major Kuyon said. “Let us integrate disaster risk reduction into our national development plans for 2025–2026 and work toward GECEAO’s vision of harmonized disaster management in West Africa.”
The consultative meeting serves as a platform for strategic dialogue, knowledge exchange, and regional solidarity, as ECOWAS Member States work together to confront rising disaster risks and protect vulnerable communities across the region.
West Africa’s Disaster Management Experts Convene in Accra to Strengthen Regional Recovery and Resilience Strategies
Military
Troops conduct clearance patrol in Borno
Troops conduct clearance patrol in Borno
By: Our Reporter
Following the clearance mission, the patrol occupied a tactical ambush position along a suspected terrorist route to monitor movement and deter any attempt by insurgents to infiltrate the area.
Military sources described the patrol as hitch-free, adding that troops maintained a high level of vigilance throughout the operation.
The clearance mission forms part of the ongoing Operation Desert Sanity V, which is aimed at sustaining pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP elements, preventing their return to previously cleared locations, and creating a secure environment for civilian populations to carry out their livelihoods.
Sources added that the general security situation in the area remained calm but fluid, while the morale and fighting efficiency of the troops were reported to be satisfactory.
Troops conduct clearance patrol in Borno
News
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Boko Haram Members During Clearance Operation in Borno
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Boko Haram Members During Clearance Operation in Borno
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have arrested two suspected Boko Haram members during a clearance operation conducted along the Mandaragirau–Kurtum axis in Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out at about 10:00 a.m. on July 22 by troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), local hunters and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN).

The joint security team, mounted on a gun truck and 10 motorcycles, conducted the operation along the Mandaragirau–Kurtum route, extending to the Nguma area as part of ongoing efforts to clear suspected terrorist hideouts and deny insurgents freedom of movement.
During the operation, troops apprehended two suspected Boko Haram members identified as Sidi Shagari, 42, and Abubakar Sadiq, popularly known as “Buba,” 25, both natives of Birni in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

Items recovered from the suspects included two mobile phones, three cutlasses, one dagger, and the sum of N9,500.
The suspects and the recovered exhibits have been taken to the Abogo Largema Cantonment for further investigation and other necessary actions.
Military sources said the operation forms part of the ongoing Operation Desert Sanity V, a theatre-wide offensive aimed at disrupting terrorist activities, dismantling insurgent networks, and enhancing security across the North-East.
The sources added that although the general security situation across the theatre remains calm, it is still unpredictable, with troops maintaining a high level of vigilance while morale and fighting efficiency remain high.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Boko Haram Members During Clearance Operation in Borno
News
Troops, Hunters Arrest Five Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Firearms in Yobe
Troops, Hunters Arrest Five Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Firearms in Yobe
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, in collaboration with the Yobe State Hunters Group, have arrested five suspected kidnappers during a coordinated raid operation in Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted at about 2:00 p.m. on July 23 following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers in Jegalari village.

The sources said troops of the 233 Battalion, deployed at Damaturu Military Cantonment, stormed the hideout in conjunction with the local hunters, leading to the arrest of five suspects identified as Hassan Lawan (28), Isah Bello (30), Haruna Suleiman (20), Ibrahim Bello (20), and Ahmadu Haruna (19).
During the operation, security personnel recovered three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, two rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 12 rounds of 9mm pistol ammunition, three Tecno mobile phones, and one Android phone.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are indigenes of Ririn Village in Rano Local Government Area of Kano State. They identified themselves as members of the Fulani ethnic group and claimed to be cattle rearers.
The suspects and the recovered exhibits have been taken into military custody for further investigation to determine their involvement in kidnapping and other criminal activities.

Military sources said the successful operation forms part of ongoing intelligence-driven efforts by Operation HADIN KAI and other security stakeholders to dismantle kidnapping and criminal networks operating across the North-East and adjoining states.
The security situation in the area was reported to be calm after the operation, although security forces remain on alert to prevent any retaliatory or related criminal activities.
Troops, Hunters Arrest Five Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Firearms in Yobe
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