Disaster: Heavy Downpour Claims 120 Lives, Displaces 39,500 In Bauchi – Newstrends
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Disaster: Heavy Downpour Claims 120 Lives, Displaces 39,500 In Bauchi

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ABUJA – The International Or­ganisation for Migra­tion (IOM) in Nigeria said 120 people have died or been injured in Bauchi State due to flooding and other extreme weather conditions in the State between September 1st to 12 September 2022.

According to IOM’s Dis­placement Tracking Matrix (DTM), unprecedented heavy rainfall, in combination with spillage when the Lagdo dam in Northern Cameroon was opened to release excess water, has displaced over 39,500 people in the North East.

The United Nations migra­tion agency, said over 15,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are in immediate need of accommodation.

IOM is providing emergen­cy shelter and other assistance to some of the tens of thou­sands of people affected by ongoing deadly flooding in the North-East of the country.

Heavy rainfall and strong winds have caused serious damage to shelters and infra­structure in camps and other sites for IDPs since the onset of Nigeria’s rainy season in June.

IOM is providing relief items including blankets, kitchen sets, mattresses and floor mats, and will also pro­vide emergency shelter to more than 1,500 internally displaced persons.

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However, IOM said funding remains a major challenge to scaling up the response.

“Due to the extent and na­ture of the floods, if adequate actions are not taken now, the well-being of IDPs will be gravely impacted,” said IOM Nigeria Acting Chief of Mission Prestage Murima, insisting that “Flood-prone communities could face pro­tracted food insecurity if their farmlands are affected.”

Communities across Bor­no, Adamawa, Yobe and other states within the northeast re­gion have been witnessing flash floods since June, which have destroyed farmlands, shelters and sources of livelihood.

In Borno State alone, six camps hosting 15,618 IDPs were destroyed, increasing depen­dence on humanitarian assis­tance; over 8,400 households are in immediate need of shelter.

Some IDPs are living tempo­rarily with relatives in nearby camps and public buildings such as schools and markets.

“This situation has added new challenges and complex­ities for the displaced popu­lations like camp congestion and delays in delivery of basic services,” Murima said.

According to the United Na­tions Office for the Coordina­tion of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)’s latest Humanitarian Needs Overview, 8.4 million people in the North-East States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe are in need of humanitarian aid in 2022.

The 12-year conflict in the region has spread to areas sur­rounding Lake Chad, causing one of the world’s most severe and complex humanitarian

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

Early Wednesday morning, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area.

The assailants reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus SUV (model 350/400) and launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.

A military source, who wished to remain anonymous, provided details of the incident but could not confirm the exact number of attackers involved.

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Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.

“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”

The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.

The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.

 

Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

At least 94 illegal occupants and squatters along the railway corridor from Pen Cinema to Fagba were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce in an early morning sting operation on Wednesday.

During the raid, substances suspected to be hard drugs—such as Indian hemp, colorado, and other harmful drugs—were seized, along with various weapons.

It was gathered that those arrested attempted to resist the task force’s actions.

In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that those arrested will face prosecution.

He added that the agency dismantled shanties and makeshift structures along the railway corridor, clearing a distance of some kilometers.

The Taskforce Chairman Adetayo Akerele explained that the eviction aimed to provide relief for residents around the Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes, following numerous complaints from the public about criminal activities in the area.

He noted that the squatting had violated environmental and sanitary regulations.

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Akerele also highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the presence of squatters along the rail corridor.

He warned the evicted individuals not to return and assured residents and train passengers that regular patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent the re-establishment of shanties in the area.

“The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” Akerele was quoted as saying.

Speaking on the raid, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that a locally fabricated short gun was recovered.

“94 suspects were arrested during the midnight operation; a locally fabricated short gun and several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be indian hemp, charm and a jack knife were recovered.

“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Wahab stated in a post on X.

 

94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has swept out all Board, Parastatal, and Agency appointees from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, in a decisive move to overhaul the state’s public service.

A statement released on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the immediate dismissal of all political appointees and Permanent Secretaries brought in from outside the state Civil Service.

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The statement reads:

“For the information of the general public, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.

“In addition, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the State Public/Civil Service and all Political Appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.”

Affected individuals have been directed to return all government property in their possession to the senior Public Officers in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

 

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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