FG Working On Safe Resettlement Of IDPs, Others, Matawalle Assures UN

The Minister of State for Defence, His Excellency, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON, has assured the Representative of the United Nations that the Federal Government is working out modalities to resettle returnees and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria to a safe and better living condition. The Minister gave this assurance when the Representative of United Nations Mines Action Services paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday, 24th October 2023 in Ship House Abuja.  Matawalle said that Federal Government would partner with UNMAS in working out a workable solution in reintegrating IDPs and farmers into society for better life. “We need to redesign action plan for the IDP returnees and farmers to go back to their farms,” he said.  According to him there was the need for Federal Government to provide essential technical support for the establishment of a national mine action centre in the North East and extend it to North West where incidence of insurgency has increased. “Such centre will afford the IDPs the opportunity to return to their Communities and have access to quality education.” The representative of the United Nations Mines Action Services to Nigeria, Edwin Faigmane, said that the UNMAS is to collaborate with the Nigerian Army to secure success for Mines Action Services Operations in Nigeria.  Furthermore, he stated that there was need to conduct Technical Surveys to identify hazardous areas that need to be safe before any other activities could take place. Edwin commended the Minister for the audience and requested that they count on Government’s support in identifying areas of collaboration.

Tragic 2,360 Children Killed By Israel In Gaza Strip – UNICEF

*Calls Both Parties To Ceasefire, Release Hostages UNICEF has said that a tragic 2,360 children have died in Israel’s counter attacks in the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas’ October 7 attacks on southern Israel. The aid group, which spoke of the “relentless attacks” said 5,364 children have been injured. Since the surprise Hamas attacks on October 7, Israel’s army have been bombing targets in the Gaza Strip and preparing a ground offensive in the sealed-off coastal area. “The situation in the Gaza Strip is a growing stain on our collective conscience. The rate of death and injuries of children simply staggering,” said Adele Khodr, UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa. He said the Gaza Strip is suffering from acute water shortages, with severe consequences for children, who make up about 50 per cent of the population. UNICEF urged all parties to agree to a ceasefire, provide humanitarian access and release all hostages.

Israeli Airstrikes Displace About 264,000 Palestinians In Gaza – UN

Israeli airstrikes against Hamas militants have displaced 264,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the UN’s humanitarian relief agency has said. They are sheltering in school buildings, with relatives or neighbours, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Hamas, the militant group that rules Gaza, launched a large-scale attack against Israel on Saturday, killing at least 1,200 people and kidnapping around 100 others. Israel responded with ongoing airstrikes on the densely packed coastal enclave. At least 900 people have died in Gaza, health officials there say. OCHA reported Israeli airstrikes on several residential buildings in Gaza. OCHA, citing the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Gaza, said more than 1,500 housing units were destroyed or severely damaged. In addition, five facilities that provided water and sanitation for half a million people were damaged. More than two million people live in the Palestinian territory.

14 Die, 100 Missing In India Flash Flood

At least 14 people have been reported dead and more than 100 missing after a flash flood in India. Fourteen bridges were severely damaged or collapsed, according to Indian media, on Thursday. The report cited information from the authorities, saying that some villages were also flooded. A highway was damaged and a mobile network was disrupted in parts of the affected north-eastern state of Sikkim. Rescue operations are continuing. Around 3,000 travellers from other parts of the country were stranded in the region due to the flooding. The army said that one of the 23 people previously registered as missing had been found alive. Heavy rains fell late Wednesday in Sikkim, leading to a sharp rise in the level of the Teesta River. Authorities of Sikkim have advised residents not to go near the river. Schools in parts of the state will remain closed until the end of the week, local media reported.

Tragedy As Illegal Fuel Depot Explosion Claims 34 Lives in Benin Republic

At least 34 individuals lost their lives in a devastating explosion at an illicit fuel depot near the Nigeria-Benin Republic border. Interior Minister Alassane Seidou conveyed this grim news during a press briefing. The incident unfolded in the town of Seme Podji, where a catastrophic fire erupted due to contraband fuel storage. Among the victims were two infants, their bodies tragically charred by the intense blaze. Additionally, Minister Seidou disclosed that 20 individuals sustained injuries and were currently receiving medical treatment, with some in critical condition. Fuel smuggling is a prevalent issue in the region, particularly along the borders with Nigeria. This illicit activity has been exacerbated by the Nigerian government’s previous fuel price subsidy, which incentivized smuggling due to lower petrol costs. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with illegal fuel depots and the urgent need for measures to combat such activities and enhance safety along border regions.

Insurgency: 35,000 persons killed in North-East –UNHCR

United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has disclosed that no fewer than 35,000 people have been killed since the inception of the insurgency in the North-East in 2009 to August 2023. Mrs Elsie Mills-Tetty, UNHCR’s Head of Adamawa Office disclosed this at a training for military personnel on human rights, humanitarian principles and civilians protection in Yola on Wednesday. The training was organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with UNHCR. Mills-Tetty, who was represented by Umar Abdullahi, Assistant Protect Officer, said this was according to the “Global Center for Responsibility to Protect” report of August 2023. According to her, the implication of these acts to the economic and social development of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and Nigeria at large can never be overemphasized. She added that in 2022, the NHRC reported that it investigated complaints on human rights as well as assisted victims in seeking redress. Mills-Tetty said: “Cumulatively, the commission received 2.314 complaints. Adamawa had 65,456 complaints, which is approximately three per cent of the total complaints from the 36 states of the federation. “The 2022 NHRC report also indicated that incidences of Insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, farmers/herders’ clashes and attacks by gunmen continued to increase with the attendant number of internally displaced persons who face enormous human rights violations.” She further called on the participants to take advantage of the training to boost their knowledge on human rights in the course of their duties. In his address, Mr Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary, NHRC said the training was aimed at mainstreaming human rights into the counter-insurgency efforts of the Nigerian troops in the North-East. Ojukwu, who was represented by his Special Assistant, Mr Benedict Agu, commended the Nigerian military and other law enforcement agencies for performing exceedingly well in containing insurgency. He added: “To further sustain the gains made so far, the commission, in partnership with UNHCR is here to train key Military officers and men who are directly involved in the counter- insurgency operations in the North-East. “The justification for this training cannot be overemphasized as the war against insurgency is complicated by the asymmetric nature of the conflict. “The insurgents live within us and there is hardly a clearly drawn battle-line between the insurgents and the civilian population,” he said. Ojukwu urged the participants to ensure the implementation of the knowledge acquired while discharging their professional and private mandates.

15,000 missing persons recorded in North East –Red Cross

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), says it has registered 15,000 persons as missing by relatives as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East. Ms Lilian Dube, Family Links Team Lead, ICRC in Maiduguri, stated this at an event to commemorate the 2023 International Day of the Disappeared, on Wednesday in Maiduguri. She said the figure could be higher but the number of those who registered with the organisation stood at 15,000, adding that most of them hailed from Borno. Dube said that 900 of the missing persons had been reunited with thier families through the ICRC. Mr Serge Zogg, Head Sub-Delegation, ICRC, who interacted with families of some of the missing persons at Ngarannam Ward of Maiduguri, assured of the organisation’s sustained support towards finding the missing persons. “This event is for you, and it is a testament to your strength and resilience as you navigate through the challenges brought by absence of your loved ones. “Please know that the ICRC stands with you in solidarity as you commemorate your missing family members. “The ICRC is an impartial, neutral and independent organisation whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of persons affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence, and to provide them with assistance,” Zogg said. He lauded the Borno government for its support and cooperation to the organisation. Also, the District Head of Ngarannam, Lawan Shettima, lauded the ICRC’s restoration of family links and psychosocial support to families of missing persons programmes. Shettima said the interventions by the ICRC impacted positively to the lives of the affected families in the area. Highlights of the event included sharing of testimonies by some members of the affected families.