The Nation Newspaper

Tag: borno

  • Monkey Pox cases increase to 74 in 11 states – FG

    Monkey Pox cases increase to 74 in 11 states – FG

    The Monkey pox virus outbreak has spread to 11 states with 74 suspected cases recorded, Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole has said.

    Adewole made the disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    President Muhammadu Buhari chaired the meeting held at the State House Council Chamber, Abuja.

    The Federal Government, on Oct. 11 confirmed that 33 suspected cases of the virus were recorded in seven states.

    Monkeypox is a rare viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms in humans similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although less severe.

    Smallpox was eradicated in 1980. However, monkeypox still occurs sporadically in some parts of Africa.

    The minister, who updated the Council on developments in respect of the outbreak, listed the affected States as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa and Rivers as well as the FCT.

    “The Council also received an update on the state of the public health of the nation. We informed the council about the latest development in respect of the Monkey Pox virus outbreak. So far as of today, there are 74 suspected cases in 11 states of the country.

    “We have confirmed three from Bayelsa and 12 of the suspected cases from Bayelsa tested negative; four suspected cases from Lagos tested negative. We are still expecting the results of the other ones.

    “We are also doing test at the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Edeh, to really understand the genomics of this virus.

    “Even when they are negative, the laboratory attendant should be able to tell us what exactly they are,’’ he said.

    The minister dismissed the assertion that the military was spreading Monkey Pox virus through vaccination.

    He said that the military was never involved in any vaccination in the country, adding that any vaccination must involve state governments and the Federal Ministry of Health.

    “It is also important to dispel the rumour circulating in the country that the military is vaccinating people and trying to spread Monkey Pox across the country.

    “The military is not involved in any vaccination exercise.

    “And I must educate Nigerians about how vaccination campaigns are done. The Federal Government will take the lead but we do not conduct campaign without working with states.

    “So, there is no way we will do campaign without working with the states,’’ he said.

    The minister announced that his ministry was conducting vaccination in only three states of the federation, namely Borno, Kwara and Kogi.

    He stated that the cholera vaccination was being conducted in Borno while that of Yellow Fever vaccination was being carried out in Kwara and Kogi.

    He stated that the ministry would soon start vaccination against measles while a nationwide vaccination against Yellow Fever would commence before the end of the year.

    Also addressing the correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, the Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, revealed that the Council approved N236 million for the completion of Sabke Irrigation Dam in Katsina State.

    He said the contract for the dam was initially awarded in 1997, re-awarded in 2009 after it was abandoned, but would now be completed by the current administration.

    NAN

  • Boko Haram terrorists to surrender to NSCDC in Borno

    Boko Haram terrorists to surrender to NSCDC in Borno

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) in Borno says about 40 Boko Haram insurgents have indicated willingness to surrender to the Corps in the state.

    The Commandant of the corps in the state, Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this in an interview on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

    Abdullahi said that the insurgents had indicated their intention to renounce membership of the terrorist group but through an intermediary.

    He said that negotiations between the command and the insurgents were conducted through a firewood vendor.

    He also said that six insurgents had earlier surrendered to the Corps in the last one month in the state.

    The commandant stated that the extremists surrendered voluntarily under the Federal Government’s Safe Corridor Initiative( SCI ).

    “About 40 of the insurgents have come forward to surrender. They indicated that many of them are willing to lay down their arms,” Abdullahi said.

    According to him, the command has also conducted town hall meetings with communities and religious leaders to enhance security in the state.

    NAN report that hundreds of the insurgents had surrendered to the Nigerian Army under the SCI in the past three months.

    The surrendered insurgents are currently undergoing De-radicalisation process at the Military Rehabilitation Centre, Gombe, to facilitate their reintegration into the society.

    NAN

  • Army kill three Boko Haram militants in Borno

    Army kill three Boko Haram militants in Borno

    The Nigerian Army says it’s troops killed three Boko Haram cattle rustlers at Mairari village in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno.

    Col. Timothy Antigha, the Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 8 Task Force Division, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Maiduguri.

    Antigha said that the troops on Sunday ambushed the insurgents cattle rustling syndicate while trying to cross into Maiduguri.

    He said that the insurgents were on their way to the Lingir village market to sell the rustled cattle.

    Antigha disclosed that several other insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds while one soldier sustained injuries in the encounter.

    He explained that one other Boko Haram insurgent was also killed by the troops at Buruwa village.

    Atigha added that the troops recovered assorted ammunitions, dresses and a horse from the insurgents.

    “In furtherance of clearance exercise of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, troops of 8 Division Mobile Strike Team (MST) deployed at Forward Operations Base Mairari, on Sunday 8th October, 2017; ambushed a Boko Haram terrorists’ cattle rustling syndicate trying to cross into Maiduguri to sell the rustled cattle, at Lingir village.

    “During the encounter, the ambush party neutralized three Boko Haram terrorists, while some of them escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “The troops recovered 5 AK-47 rifles, 5 Magazines, 11 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 metal box containing clothes and a horse.

    “Unfortunately, one soldier sustained injury during the encounter. The injured soldier has been evacuated to the 8 Task Force Division Medical centre at Monguno, where he is receiving further medical attention.

    “The MST also followed up with pursuit up to Buruwa village around Gassawa general area, where they neutralized another Boko Haram terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle from him”.

    NAN

  • Troops Kill 4 Boko Haram members in Borno

    Troops Kill 4 Boko Haram members in Borno

    Four Boko Haram members were on Thursday killed by troops operating in the Northwest of the country, Nigerian Army Spokesperson, Brigadier General Sani Usman has said.
    One of the insurgents was killed in an ambush laid by soldiers along Firgi-Pulka road in Bama local government of Borno state, while three others were eliminated as they disguised as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with the aim of penetrating a military barrier.
    He said a major disaster was averted by the troops in one of the operations as they prevented the Boko Haram members from carrying out a suicide mission.
    Brig. General Usman, in a statement, said the troops of the 151 and 202 Battalion of 21 brigade and the crack troops of 22 Brigade of operation Lafiya Dole both displayed gallantry in the operations.
    He said: ” The Troops of 151 and 202 Battalions of 21 Brigade Nigerian Army, under Operation LAFIYA DOLE in furtherance of clearance and blockade Operation DEEP PUNCH II in separate but well-coordinated attacks simultaneously on Wednesday, 4th October 2017 at about 10:00am laid ambush on unsuspecting Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) along Firgi-Pulka road in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
    “The Troops engaged the terrorists with a heavy fire causing the terrorists to abandon their weapons and flee in disarray with Gun Shot wounds. In the first instance upon exploitation, troops recovered from the ambush site one General Multi-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and one motorcycle.
    “They also successfully discovered and safely detonated an unexploded ordnance. However, the troops followed with a hot pursuit, neutralized one terrorist and recovered 6 bundles of zinc.
    “In the same vein, crack troops of 22 Brigade of Operation LAFIYA DOLE displayed gallantry on 4th October at about 6:05pm by intercepting 3 Boko Haram terrorists disguised as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and trying to infiltrate a barrier.
    ” The vigilant troops engaged the suicide bombers forcing them to hastily detonate their suicide vest. The troops recovered 2 AK-47 rifles, 2 magazines with several rounds of ammunition and amongst other items.
    “The troops’ action saved what would have been another evil machination of BHTs ploy to utilize suicide bombing to inflict heavy casualties on soft targets”.
  • Fadama III: World Bank earmarks $50m in North-East

    Fadama III: World Bank earmarks $50m in North-East

    The World Bank says it has earmarked 50 million dollars to fast track the implementation of Fadama III, Lead Economist Tunji Oredipe has disclosed.

    Oredipe made this known during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the bank, Fadama III and Borno Government on Thursday in Maiduguri.

    Oredipe said that the funds were provided to support Fadama programmes, enhance food assistance, provide livelihoods and facilitate the rehabilitation of infrastructure in communities ravaged by the insurgents.

    He said that 27 local government areas selected from Adamawa, Borno, Gombe and Yobe were expected to participate in the programme.

    Oredipe added that Maiduguri and Jere Local Government areas were selected as pilot areas of the projects in Borno.

    He explained that about 192,000 people were expected to benefit from the programme in the participating states.

    “The aim is to increase crop production, provide skills training, income generating activities and build resilience.

    “The programme will also provide cash support to encourage food security and nutrition.”

    According to him, the bank is working in collaboration with World Food Programme (WFP) and International Community of Red Crescent to address food and humanitarian crisis in the region.

    Gov. Kashim Shettima commended the gesture, noting that it would go a long way to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.

    Shettima said that about 7,500 households would participate in the pilot project in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government areas.

    The governor, who noted that the programme would assist in reducing poverty, hunger and diseases, also commended the WFP, World Bank and other organisations for their humanitarian interventions in the state.

    NAN

  • Troops kill 1, repel Boko Haram attack in Borno

    Troops kill 1, repel Boko Haram attack in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday said it had killed one Boko Haram member after repelling an attack by the insurgents at Bocos village in Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.

    Lt. Col. Kingsley Samuel, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 7 Division, said this in a statement issued on Saturday in Maiduguri.

    Samuel explained that troops ambushed a group of the insurgents while trying to cross Banki Junction along Bama road on Friday.

    He said that the troops killed one insurgent and many others escaped with gun shots, adding that a number of items including foodstuff were recovered from them.

    Samuel disclosed that the troops also repelled another attack by the insurgents at a security outpost in Bama general area.

    He added that one police officer and a female displaced person were killed in the attack.

    “The Nigerian Army Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE at about 6:00 pm on Friday, 29th September 2017 laid ambush on Boko Haram terrorists crossing Bocobs village along Banki Junction, Bama Road in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

    “The troops sprang on the unsuspecting terrorists and neutralized one of them while several others escaped with gun shots wounds.

    ”The troops recovered several items including three bicycles, five Jerry cans and two bags of maize.

    “On the same day at about 7: 00 p.m. troops of 202 Battalion of 21 Brigade successfully repelled insurgents attack on an outpost within Bama general area.

    “Unfortunately a police personnel was killed in action while a female Internally Displaced Person (IDP) was hit by a stray bullet,” Samuel said.

    According to him, the Commander of 21 Brigade on Saturday visited the scenes of the attack, attended the burial of the deceased IDP and commiserated with the IDP community. (NAN)

  • Insurgency: USAID trains 7,169 teachers in Borno

    Insurgency: USAID trains 7,169 teachers in Borno

    The U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) says it has trained 7, 169 teachers in Borno to mitigate the shortages of teachers caused by the Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

    Malam Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser to Gov. Kashim Shettima on Communication and Media Strategy, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Maiduguri.

    Gusau said that the figure was disclosed when the Director of the USAID’s Education Crisis Response Project (ECR), Mr Ayo Oladini, paid a courtesy visit to the governor in Maiduguri.

    He said that the training was provided sequel to the advocacy by Shettima to encourage support toward rebuilding and rehabilitation of the education sector ravaged by the insurgency.

    Gusau said that the exercise was designed to expose teachers on post crisis and pupils’ centred methodologies, adding that the participants were drawn from Biu, Jere, Kaga, Konduga and Maiduguri local government areas.

    “USAID has completed training of 7, 169 teachers in the state under its Education Crisis Response Project in five local government councils of the state.

    “The project has so far enrolled 15, 197 displaced children in 304 temporary schools, to enhance access to basic education in conflict and crisis environment‎.

    “USAID also engaged 30 local education authority officials as mentor teachers, while 130 facilitators were deployed to 304 learning centres, to enhance management, monitoring and evaluation services.

    “ECR is a three year project funded by USAID. The project is being implemented in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe and Yobe States.

    “ Currently, providing basic literacy programme to 47, 722 children and youths in 731 learning centres in the North East,” Oladini was quoted as saying in the statement.

    ‎Gusau said that the Borno State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) was collaborating with ECR to expand the scope of participation in the teacher training exercise.

    Shettima also commended the USAID over the gesture and reiterated government’s commitment to training and recruitment of additional teachers in the state.

    The state government had reconstructed and rehabilitated thousands of classroom blocks and schools vandalised in communities liberated from Boko Haram insurgents.

    The government also embarked on construction of 22 model mega school designed with a 2, 000 students-capacity each, to expand the scope of school enrolment.

    Statistics from the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) showed that 1, 400 schools were destroyed; 2, 295 teachers killed, while 19, 000 teachers were displaced by the insurgency in the North-East.

    The UN agency added that an estimated 3 million children were in need of emergency education support at the start of the new academic year in the region.

  • 3m children need emergency education support in N/East – UNICEF

    3m children need emergency education support in N/East – UNICEF

    The United Nations Children’s Fund ( UNICEF ) said over 57 per cent of schools in Borno remained closed, in spite the new school year, due to the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria.

    A statement signed by UNICEF, Abuja, Chief of Communications, Ms Doune Porter, on Friday said as a result, an estimated three million children were in need of emergency education support.

    “Since 2009, across the North-East, over 2,295 teachers have been killed and 19,000 displaced.

    “Almost 1,400 schools have been destroyed with the majority unable to open because of extensive damage or because they are in areas that remain unsafe, “ Porter.

    Porter quoted the Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF, Mr Justin Forsyth, who said, “Children in North-East Nigeria are living through so much horror.

    “In addition to devastating malnutrition, violence and an outbreak of cholera, the attacks on schools is in danger of creating a lost generation of children.’’

    She, however, stated that UNICEF was working with partners to rehabilitate schools as well as training teachers, to build a stronger education system for the future.
    According to Porter, some children living in camps for the displaced in Borno are actually benefiting from education for the first time in their lives.

    “In the Muna Garage camp on the outskirts of Maiduguri, for example, an estimated 90 per cent of students are enrolled in school for the first time.

    “In the three most-affected states of North-East Nigeria, UNICEF and partners have enrolled nearly 750,000 children in school this year.

    “Also, we are establishing over 350 temporary learning spaces, and distributing almost 94,000 packs of learning materials that will help children to get education, “ she said.

    “The use of children as human bombs, close to 100 so far in 2017, has sown a climate of mistrust among communities in the North-East.

    “Also, cholera outbreak has affected more than 3,900 people, including over 2450 children. “

    According to her, UNICEF’s life-saving emergency programmes in the region, however, remains underfunded.

    The Chief of Communications noted that with only three months left in the year, UNICEF had a 40 per cent finding gap in its needs for 2017.

  • Police arrest 12 for ‘inciting disturbances’ in Borno

    The police in Borno State said yesterday they arrested 12 members of Bama Initiative for Human Development and All Bama Youth Development Association for alleged conspiracy and inciting disturbances.

    Spokesman Victor Isuku, in an SMS to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, said the suspects were arraigned on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and inciting disturbances.

    He said the court remanded the suspects in prison custody.

    “Twelve members of Bama Initiative for Human Development and All Bama Youths Development Association were arrested for criminal conspiracy and inciting disturbances.

    “They have been arraigned and remanded in prison custody till next hearing,” Isuku said.

    NAN reports that the group on Sunday protested in Maiduguri, demanding the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes in Bama.

    Alhaji Muhammad Hassan, the group’s chairman, said they wanted to return to their communities to enable them continue their normal life, following restoration of peace.

    He noted that about 70 per cent of the reconstruction and rehabilitation projects have been completed, hence the need for them to return home.

    Hassan said they were tired of staying in camps and living as displaced persons.

    “We have been in Maiduguri for over three years without a source of livelihood. The condition of our people is pathetic.

    “The process of returning displaced persons to their homes is moving at a snail’s speed and has exposed us to hardship.

    “We can no longer send our children to school; many have died of hunger and starvation. Most of us live in host communities and no one is supporting us,” he added.

     

    It took the intervention of the police to prevent the IDPs from embarking on the “dangerous journey”, to secure their safety.

    Police Commissioner Mr. Damian Chukwu, who addressed the displaced persons, urged them to drop the idea.

    He said the group had not notified the command of their planned return to Bama.

    “The police have a duty to protect you. We will not allow you to gather people and expose them to danger in the name of home return,” Chukwu said.

    He noted that there was massive reconstruction and rehabilitation work going on in the town, undertaken by the federal and state governments under the Bama Initiative.

    Chukwu said the command would not allow the IDPs to return because of the security situation, urging them to wait for the time when the government would permit their return to the town.

    Governor Kashim Shettima enjoined the displaced people to be cautious and cooperate with the government to fast track completion of rehabilitation projects in the town, so as to facilitate their safe return.

    The governor, who spoke through Malam Isa Gusau, special adviser, Communication and Media Strategy, said the government was desirous of ensuring safe return of IDPs to their communities.

    “It is to the government’s advantage if IDPs return home because their return will lessen economic burden of supporting them as displaced persons.

    “The greatest wish of the governor is the safe and dignified return of IDPs to their communities. Much as he wants the IDPs to return, he is also concerned about their safety.

    “The governor is committed to the ongoing rebuilding of homes, police stations, hospitals, schools, water facilities, markets, council secretariats and others in communities across 15 local governments,’’ Gusau said.

    He said the government had built 20, 000 homes in Bama and provided modern health facilities, schools and police stations.

    The aide added that the Federal Government was training a special Anti- Terrorism Squad and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), to be deployed in the town under the Bama Initiative.

    He said the special police unit would replace the military, adding that it comprised agro-rangers trained to secure farmers.

    “The Federal Government is contributing 67 per cent to the funding of the project. The state government contributed 33 per cent.

    “It is an all-encompassing project designed to fast track rebuilding of infrastructure and restoration of livelihood to Bama people.

    “We have to ensure there is return of civil security before IDPs can return. The governor encourages safe and dignified return only after putting the right things in place,” the official said.

    According to him, the government has re-built houses and re-settled displaced persons in parts of Kaga, Konduga and Gwoza local governments.

    Gusau stressed that resettlement was conducted after the affected areas were certified safe before IDPs were allowed to return.

     

     

  • WAEC/NECO: Borno students lament withholding of results

    WAEC/NECO: Borno students lament withholding of results

    Students of public secondary schools in Borno have expressed concern over the withholding of examination results by the West African Examination Council ( WAEC ) and National Examination Commission ( NECO ).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two agencies withheld results for the June/July 2017 examinations due to the inability of the state government to settle outstanding fees.

    The state government had pledged to contribute 75 per cent of the total cost while the candidates were to pay the remaining 25 per cent.

    A cross section of the candidates, who spoke to NAN, on Friday in Maiduguri, described the situation as “worrisome.’’

    Jidda Mustafa, a student of Government College Maiduguri, said that he could not apply for entry into any institution of the higher learning due to non-release of the results by NECO.

    Jidda lamented that the trend might affect his chances of securing admission this academic year.

    “Most of candidates could not apply for admissions due to non-release of examination results by WAEC and NECO.

    “It is disheartening to see that while private school students are pursuing their admission into universities and other institutions of higher learning, students of public schools are helpless,” he said.

    Fati Abubakar, also a student of Government Girls College Maiduguri, who corroborated the opinion, called on the government to pay the examination fees to enable them to further their education

    Mr Shettima Umar, the Vice Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) in Borno , decried the withholding of SSCE and NECO examination results in the state.

    Umar said that the ugly trend was inimical to sustainable development in the sector and called on the government to settle the fees to facilitate release of the examination result on time.

    “Urgent measures are necessary to save the situation and assist the students to apply for admission into institution of learning,” Umar said.

    Also commenting, Mr Ahmad Ma’aji, the NECO’s State Officer, confirmed that the agency had withheld June/July examination results for candidates in the state.

    Ma’aji explained that the action was necessitated by the inability of state Ministry of Education to complete payment of its candidates’ examination fees.

    “The ministry only paid part of the total cost of the examination fees. Candidates could access their results as soon as the ministry made payment of the outstanding balance.

    “The examination fees are N11, 350 per candidate,” he said.

    Ma’aji disclosed that over 29, 000 candidates of both public and private schools sat for the examination in the state, adding that the council had released results of candidates whose payment were complete.

    In his reaction, Alhaji Hassan Aminami, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, said that the ministry had paid 50 per cent of its counter pert contribution of the examination fees.

    Aminami explained that the ministry was expected to pay 25 per cent of the amount while the Ministry for Local Government and candidates were to contribute 25 per cent each, respectively.

    He added that the ministry and candidates in Borno had so far paid 75 per cent of the total cost while the remaining 25 per cent would be settled by the ministry for local government.

    “We are concerned about the situation and we intimated the ministry for local government over the impending issue.

    “They are working on it and payment of the remaining 25 per cent will be made soon so that students can access their result,” Aminami said.