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Tag: borno

  • UNHCR, 2Face drum support for IDPs in Borno

    UNHCR, 2Face drum support for IDPs in Borno

    The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) partnership with the singer, Innocent Idibia, (2 face Idibia), have inaugurated awareness campaign to garner support for victims of violence.

    The UNHCR and the singer-songwriter are focusing their campaign to those who were affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East region.

    Edibia said this at a musical concert organised by the Nigerian Army at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

    He said decided to partner with UNHCR because he was deeply touched by the condition of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    “I visited some of the IDP camps. Their condition is heart-breaking and saddening.

    “At the same time; I see hope in their eyes and eagerness to return to homes. And that hope could not have been there without the effort of the army,” he said.

    Edibia also commended the Nigerian Army’s efforts towards ending the insurgency and protection of lives and property in the country.

    The singer commended the Army for ensuring peace in the country.

    “Words alone cannot not express how wonderful you have been doing toward ensuring the return of peace in the country.

    “You are doing a wonderful work, putting your life on the line to defend and protect our country.”

    He, however, promised to extend the campaign to other parts of the country, with a view to drumming support for IDPs and the counter-insurgency campaign.

    Also speaking, Cesar Tshilombo, the Head of the UNCHR, Sub-Office in Maiduguri, said that the organisation would collaborate with 2Face to raise awareness on its operations in the region.

    “Having 2Face here will make the visibility of UNHCR operations. It is to let the people know that they not being neglected.

    “Today we are in Ngala, visited some of the camps and interacted with some of the displaced children. I think having 2Face around is a good partnership,” Tshilombo said.

    “We are specifically working

  • 12-year-old dies in Borno explosion

    A 12-year-old Fulani cattle breeder, Gambo Bukar, died in last Saturday’s bomb explosion at Muna Delti, Jere Local Government of Borno State.

    A witness, Grema Bana, said the incident occurred about 4.45pm, at one of the pastoralist hamlets.

    According to him, the deceased and his brother were returning home after grazing their cattle in a nearby forest. He said the boy allegedly had an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on him.

    “The bomb went off at the entrance of the boys’ residence. One of them died and the other sustained injuries. The injured was referred to the Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri,” he added.

    A source at the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), who confirmed the incident, said only the two boys were affected in the blast.

    It added that SEMA had deployed Emergency Rapid Response team to evacuate the body and provide medical assistance to the injured.

    Police spokesman Victor Isuzu, who confirmed the incident, said: “The explosion affected two Fulani boys – Gambo Bukar (10) and Umar Bukar (8) – of Delti village in Jere council.

    “On Saturday, about 10am, they went out for grazing at Baram and Tamsongamdu villages in Mafa council. They, however, came across Boko Haram insurgents and one of them was strapped with an IED vest and allowed to go.

    “They returned home about 4pm and failed to disclose their encounter with the terrorists.

    “In the process of un-strapping the vest, the IED exploded, killing Gambo Bukar alone.”

    Isuzu said the other brother sustained injuries and had been hospitalised. He added that an Explosive Ordinance Detective (EOD) team was deployed in the area and normalcy had been restored.

  • Boko Haram: Humanitarian group deploys 1, 730 emergency personnel to Borno

    Boko Haram: Humanitarian group deploys 1, 730 emergency personnel to Borno

    A humanitarian organization, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Sunday said it had deployed more than 1, 700 personnel to Borno to provide emergency support services to communities ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency.

    The organisation also known as ‘MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES’, said it was providing intervention in the areas of health care delivery, food and nutrition support as well as water and sanitation services.

    Mr Moctar Abassi, the MSF’s Head of Mission, told newsmen in Maiduguri that the personnel included 1, 600 Nigerians and 130 expatriates.

    Abassi said that the organisation had extended its outreach to 11 locations, to enable it render support to the displaced persons and vulnerable persons in the state.

    He listed the benefitting areas to include Maiduguri, Pulka, Gwoza, Monguno, Damasak, Benisheik, Dikwa, Banki, Ngala, Rann and Bama.

    “MSF is running 11 health centres, including seven in-patient therapeutic and nine out-patient feeding centres.

    “In 2016, the organisation provided a range of quality medical and nutritional services to both displaced persons and host communities,” he said.

    Abassi disclosed that the organization had provided free medical treatment to over 290, 000 out patients and conducted 56, 160 antenatal consultations while 5, 181 deliveries were recorded.

    He added that the organization had also immunised 87, 900 children against measles and distributed over 1099.2 tonnes of food items under its nutrition support services.

    Commenting on water and sanitation services, Abassi said that 282 latrines were constructed,38 tanks and 87 taps were provided to the affected communities.

  • 10-year-old boy killed in Borno bomb blast–Police

    10-year-old boy killed in Borno bomb blast–Police

    The Police in Borno on Sunday confirmed that a 12-year-old cattle breeder, Gambo Bukar, was killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast.
    In a statement in Maiduguri DSP Victor Isuzu, the Public Relations Officer of the command,  said that another boy was wounded in the incident.
    Isuzu said that the incident, which affected two teenagers, occurred on Saturday at Delti village in Jere Local Government Council of the state.
    “The explosion affected two boys,  Gambo Bukar and Umar Bukar, aged 10 and eight-year-olds, Fulani boys  of Delti village in Jere local government council of the state.
    “On Saturday at about 10:00 AM, they went out for grazing at Baram and Tamsongamdu villages in Mafa local government area.
    “The boys came in contact with Boko Haram insurgents. One of them was strapped with an IED vest and set free.
    “They returned home at about 4:00 p.m.  and failed to disclose their encounter with the terrorists.
    “In the process of un-strapping the vest, the IED exploded killing Gambo Bukar alone,” Isuzu said, adding that the other boy sustained injuries and was hospitalized.
    Isuzu disclosed that the command had deployed Explosive Ordinance Detective  (EOD) team to secure the area, adding that  normalcy has been restored to the area.

  • Civilian JTF loses 680 members to Boko Haram insurgency

    Civilian JTF loses 680 members to Boko Haram insurgency

    Six hundred and eighty  members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) have lost their lives to the Boko Haram insurgency from 2014 till date in Borno State, the hotbed of the war.

    The Legal Adviser to the CJTF, Mr Jubril Gunda, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri on Sunday.

    Gunda, who described the dead CJTF members as heroes, said they were killed in various operations in the state.

    He said that many members of the CJTF also sustained various degrees of injuries since the group joined the campaign to end insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East.

    Gunda noted that the CJTF had made remarkable contributions in ensuring the return of peace to war-ravaged communities in Maiduguri and elsewhere.

    The legal adviser, who described himself as a staunch member of the CJTF, pleaded with the Federal Government to provide money and materials for the families of dead CJTF members.

    “Their families are left on their own with no compensation, except the token burial money given by the Borno State Government.

    “Their children cannot afford to go to school or pay house rent,” he said, describing the conditions of bereaved families as pathetic.

    Gunda revealed that 780 members of the group had been trained and exposed to combat operations to boost their combat readiness.

    “It is our sincere believe that the 780 trained CJTF members will make a great difference in the campaign against insurgency.”

    Gunda called on the Borno Government to pay allowances and provide vehicles for the group to motivate them.

    He also advocated closer collaboration between the military, police and the group to ensure smoother implementation of the anti-insurgency campaign.

  • Boko Haram: Police deploy 3000 personnel in Borno

    Boko Haram: Police deploy 3000 personnel in Borno

    The Borno Police Command on Sunday said it had deployed 3, 000 policemen to Maiduguri and other areas liberated from the Boko Haram insurgents.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, ASP Victor Isuzu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Isuzu said that the measure became imperative to enhance security network in Maiduguri and other communities liberated from the insurgents.

    He explained that the command had taken proactive steps to deal with security threats, protect lives and property in the state.

    He said that the personnel had already resumed duty in their various posts.

    Commenting on the foiled suicide bomb attack by the insurgents at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), the PPRO said the command had deployed additional personnel to strengthen security at the institution.

    “The command had recently deployed a full unit of mobile police personnel, guards and sniffer dogs to the university, to complement the presence of security personnel there.

    “These deployments have started yielding results toward preventing attempts by these enemies of peace to threaten the lives and safety of the university community and its environs.”

    Isuzu reiterated the commitment of the command to the protection of lives and property in the state.

    He called on the people to be vigilant and cooperate with the law enforcement agents to enable them to discharge their duties effectively. (NAN)

  • Minister inspects facilities at IDPs’ camps in Borno

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has visited some health facilities at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Borno State.

    The visit was aimed at ensuring that the health facilities at the camps were functional and that the ad-hoc workers providing the healthcare services are also exhibiting their best professionally.

    The minister, who interacted with the displaced persons at the camps, assured them that Federal Government would continue to provide healthcare services for them at the camps.

    Adewole, accompanied by the WHO Country Director, Alemu Wondi, the Commissioner for Health, Borno State, Dr. Haruna Mshelia, the National Co-ordinator, Health and Nutrition Emergency Response Programme, Dr. Ngozi Azodoh  and other top government functionaries, visited Teachers Village  IDP Camp in Maiduguri where a large number of the displaced persons  were receiving care.

    The minister had a discussion with some of the ad-hoc staff providing psycho-social health service at the IDP camp where he expressed satisfaction with the level of commitment shown by the ad-hoc staff in conducting their assignment.

    The minister had earlier visited the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital where patients with serious psycho-social problems were referred.  He urged the workers of the Psychiatric Hospital to be vigilant and watchful so that they could detect new challenges on different patients, especially children.

    Fielding questions from journalists after the visit, the minister said the Federal Ministry of Health remained committed to providing necessary healthcare services in the state.

    Adewole said: “Health and Nutrition Emergency Response actually started in February. I am highly impressed with what we are doing. We have come to review what we have done, access the progress and the impact and tinker with the plan so that we can become perfect.”

    Speaking on whether the programme would end within the six months initially designed,the minister said: “We know that the programme cannot end in six months, the drugs that we brought to Borno would last them for the next two years, we are quite confident that extending it would not be as costly as the initial flag-off. We don’t have to buy new ambulances, we are not buying new delivery trucks, we are not buying new drugs, what we need to do is just to keep the personnel and some money for logistics.”

    The WHO Country Representative, Dr. Alemu Wondi said he joined the Minister for the inspection to get first-hand information on what the 25 teams from the Federal Ministry of Health were doing in Borno State.

    Wondi said WHO also have other teams reaching out to communities that are far from health facilities in Borno State.

    Mshelia appreciated the commitment of Federal Ministry of Health for the Health and Nutrition Programme, adding that partners, such as UNICEF, WHO, IMO, are also in the state providing support on nutrition.

  • Borno: Blind man granted teaching appointment by Governor yet to receive salary

    Borno: Blind man granted teaching appointment by Governor yet to receive salary

    Mr Mohammed Mustapha, a 32 year-old blind university graduate in Borno offered automatic teaching appointment by Gov. Kashim Shettima on compassionate ground, says his salary has not been paid for the past five months.

    Mustapha told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri on Tuesday that the development had place him under severe hardship,

    NAN recalls that Mustapha, a graduate of History from Gombe State University,was employed into the state civil service in February 2017 sequel to the directives of Gov. Shettima, and  posted  to each at  College of Management Studies (CMS), Konduga.

    The governor’s gesture followed an appeal to him by Mustapha through the Hausa Service of the BBC, requesting for job.

    Shettima had then invited Mustapha to the Government House, Maiduguri, after hearing the appeal through the radio station, and granted him an Executive approval for him to be employed by Borno Ministry of Higher Education.

    However, Mustapha told NAN that he was yet to receive his salary for five months since his posting to the college.

    According to him, from the time he reported to work, he had been transporting himself to and from Konduga, a distance of about 60km from Maiduguri, where he resided.

    “Honestly, life has become more difficult and very unbearable, since I was employed.

    “They said I must undergo the Biometric Verification before I get paid, which I already did in March.

    “On several occasions, I had gone to the verification committee to inquire why I was yet to be paid but no tangible explanation was given to me.

    “The last time I went, they said I must get a note from the Head of Service (HOS) before they treat my case; I went to him (HOS) and he promised to do something and I am still waiting.

    “Now I am left confused and I do not know what to do; I am not a beggar and I do not want to ever beg anyone.

    “I want an opportunity where I can work to earn a legitimate livelihood and impact on the lives of my people,’’ said Mustapha.

    In his response, Malam Bulama Abiso, Chairman of  Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Borno, said that Mustapha was not the only teacher who was affected.

    “Many of our teachers’ salaries have been pending despite been verified by the Biometric Committee.

    “Some are owed five months, some seven and some even ten months salaries.

    “As union, what we did was to approach members of the committee and ask them to identify our teachers having issues with their verification.

    “We were able to identify those with problems and solved same for them.

    “So far, about 4,000 teachers were successfully verified, while some were not,’’ Abiso said.

    Meanwhile, Mr Titus Abana, Borno Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), said the verification exercise had brought untold hardship to legitimate workers in the state.

    Abana lamented that non-payment of salaries of workers that had been verified, was lamentable.

    “We told them (committee) to continue paying salaries of workers while verifications continues, but they refused.

    “They told us that the exercise will only last for two months, but now as I am talking to you, there are workers that are yet to be paid their ten months salaries,’’ he lamented.

    Reacting, Alhaji Yakubu Bukar, Borno Head of Service, told NAN that he was aware of the case of Mustapha.

    “The case of Mustapha is a special case; his case is with Bako, the Chairman of the Verification Committee.

    “I am not the one handling his issue but I have asked Bako to bring it forward to be treated,’’ Bukar said.

  • Borno records 3,000 births in IDPs camps in six months

    THE Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said yesterday it registered 3,000 births among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the past six months.

    SEMA Chairman Satomi Ahmadspoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Satomi said the births were registered at various camps located in the state capital between January and June.

    He explained that the birth records showed significant increase in view of the high number of couples staying at the camps.

    He added: “We recorded 3,000 births among IDPs in the last six months. The mothers were supported with drugs and reproductive kits.”

    The SEMA boss said the agency was working in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Health to support expectant mothers and enhance reproductive health management in the camps.

    The chairman said SEMA had provided ambulances to enhance referral services and reduce mortality.

    SEMA gave the figure of births registered in IDPs camps in the past four years at 13,000.

    It added that it helped the mothers and babies with food items, nutritional supplements and dresses for the new born.

  • Borno: 680 Civilian JTF members died repelling Boko Haram attacks

    Borno: 680 Civilian JTF members died repelling Boko Haram attacks

    A total of 680 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) have died trying to repel Boko Haram terrorists attacks in Borno from 2012 to date, the groups Legal Officer, Mr Junril Gunda, has said.

    Gunda said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri on Friday that in spite of the high casualty figure, the JTF remain undaunted in its resolve to protect communities in the state from the terrorists.

    “The group which is non profitable started in 2012 when our youths picked up sticks and said no more Boko Haram and they successfully push the terrorist group out of Maiduguri.

    “We don’t have any other home than Borno, we are therefore working tirelessly to provide civic protections against any form of threat represented by Boko Haram.

    “Sadly a lot of our youths have paid the supreme price, there is hardly any day you will hear of an attack without one of our civilian JTF killed and that does not mean we will stop defending our land of terrorism.

    “As you can see I am a lawyer by profession, this is my Chamber and I am happy to also be one of the Civilian JTF. I was also trained for eight months on light arms use by the military.

    “If I see a Boko Haram now, I can take him down with my gun.

    “It was necessary to train our civilian JTF on the use of arms because they always move along with the military in the front line during operations.

    “Our civilian JTF had taken part in almost all the operations going on in Sambisa forest.

    “It was also necessary because they are always the first to sight Boko Haram suspects during checks in the state capital.

    “Boko Haram members are not afraid of the military, they are afraid of the civilian JTF; they believe if a civilian JTF kill any of them, they will go to hell. Many of them have said this during their testimonies,” said Gunda.

    According to him, no fewer than 23,000 youth vigilantes have been registered under the body to provide civic protection in every nooks and crannies of the state.

    He said that the job of the Civilian JTF was purely to stop Boko Haram insurgents from causing havoc in the society.

    Gunda said there were numerous challenges confronting the group because the members were not been paid for the job.

    “Like I said earlier, it was a voluntary thing, so no one was paid any penny for the job and because of some difficulties and poor living conditions of the youths, some engage in begging to fend for themselves.

    “It was as the result of this that Borno State Government decided to empower 1,400 of them as vanguards with the acronym BOYES and were being paid N15, 000 monthly.

    “Government and other nongovernmental organizations must also give support to the other 20,000 youths who were not empowered.

    “They should also give priority attention to widows of our deceased youths because we are left to carter for their welfare.

    “Government should sponsor their children and give them a better life in recognition of the selfless sacrifices made by their parents,” said Gunda.