The Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), has called on stakeholders to ensure precautionary measures to protect vulnerable women and children against exploitation following displacements in the Borno flood.” We are alerting member organisations of NACTAL Nigeria and other CSOs to activate protection mechanisms available to protect women and children especially in Borno state and Nigeria.
After the floods, food shortage hits Maiduguri
” At least 200,000 persons had been displaced with an estimated 200 missing, just as the flood affected the palace of the Shehu of Borno, among other key structures in parts of Maiduguri metropolis, ” Abubakar said.
He urged the critical stakeholders to convene a meeting of agencies working in the area of trafficking in persons and irregular migration for an emergency plan.
This is to provide protection for women and children against ‘Trafficking In Person and Smuggling of Migrants’.
”The unfortunate and disheartening situation is likely to fuel incidences of trafficking, sexual abuse and exploitation and irregular migration of women and children.
” This is also a wake up call to the leadership of NAPTIP at all levels to remain vigilant and work closely with CSOs in identifying potential cases of trafficking.
”This is in order to ensure that adequate protection measures are provided to women and children within the challenging period, ” he stressed.
The national president appealed to the media to remain unbiased in collaboration with CSOs and communities to report suspected cases of human trafficking and migrant smuggling to the relevant authorities.
Abubakar explained that many persons were currently at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps with some scouting for the protection they can get elsewhere.
While he called on all the development partners to come to the aid of the vulnerable in the current trying moments, the president also disclosed that NACTAL shelter facilities were open and available across the 36 states.
”We have two shelters in Sokoto; Save the Child and the Freedom for Life, while some CSOs would be providing the expertise and active network engagements with NACTAL, ” Abubakar stressed.
According to him, NACTAL Nigeria, regional representative of the West Africa Coalition Against Trafficking In Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (WACTIPSOM), is appealing to the governments and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for speedy intervention.
Speaking also, the FOMWAN representative, Hajiya Mufeedat Muhammad, said the devastating floods situation in Borno was a monumental calamity .
She said it had affected mostly women and children, hence required urgent social intervention and relief to bring succour to the affected families.
She appealed to the government and development partners to support those affected.
Muhammad urged precautionary measures to protect victims against all forms of abuses and ensure that all supports were channeled to the real beneficiaries.
Lead efforts in rebuilding Maiduguri, Zorro urges media
Alhaji Sani Zorro, a former National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has appealed to the media to lead the efforts in rebuilding Maiduguri after the city’s devastation by flood.
Zorro made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Kano on Friday.
He said this was imperative given the critical importance of the media in mobilising support from corporate organisations and wealthy individuals in times of need.
Zorro, a former Chairman of the House Committee on IDPs, Migrants, Refugees and FG Initiative on the North East Zone, described the flood’s impact as “unfortunate.”
He expressed sadness over the incident caused by the overflow of the Alau Dam, noting this had affected more than 239,000 people.
Describing the disaster as the worst in over 30 years, he said it is had caused untold trauma to residents of Maiduguri.
Zorro underscored the severity of the disaster, noting that 40 per cent of farmlands in Maiduguri had been submerged, exacerbating food insecurity.
He stressed the need for the media to highlight the victims’ plight in order to facilitate relief and rehabilitation for them.
The former lawmaker also urged all stakeholders to unite in providing necessary support to alleviate the sufferings of victims.
Zorro further emphasised the urgent need to promptly provide victims with shelter, food and non-food items, educational materials,WASH facilities and drugs.
Flood: Borno commences water decontamination process
As Maiduguri flood water gradually recedes, Borno Government has embarked on decontamination of water in the city.
The State Commissioner for Information and Internal Strategy, Prof. Usman Tar, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri on Friday.
“We are taking measures to decontaminate the water and to reduce the risk of diseases,” he said.
Tar noted that some corpses had been evacuated, while advising the public to be careful and desist from consuming dirty water.
The commissioner urged the people to report any case of outbreak or infection to relevant authorities.
“We are setting up medical centres in the camps too, for quick response to public health challenges.
“I want to appeal to the public to continue to remain calm and peaceful as government and other stakeholders are working towards ensuring their safety and welfare,” Tar said.
Meanwhile, different personalities are thronging Maiduguri to sympathise with government and residents.
Among the visitors are the Nigerian Governors’ Forum led by its Chairman, Kwara’s Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, ministers and senators.
NSCIA tasks FG on preventive measures
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has urged governments at all levels to put in place necessary measures to avert disasters like the flood witnessed in Maiduguri.
Its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, made the call in a statement issued by the Deputy Secretary-General of the council, Prof. Salisu Shehu, on Friday in Abuja.
He said that the council was disturbed by the Maiduguri flood which displaced almost all the residents, claimed several lives, left many injured and destroyed property worth billions.
The Sultan particularly implored the Federal Government to deploy all its mechineries to ensure that the situation is efficiently managed to reduce the sufferings of the victims.
He, however, commended the efforts and empathy of the federal and Borno State governments in handling the incident.
” We, however, wish to implore them to further deploy all their machineries, particularly the entire emergency management agencies.
“We, most importantly, want the North-East Development Commission to ensure that the disaster is efficiently managed.
“The council equally calls on the private sector, organisations and institutions, local and international donor agencies, and well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the people of Maiduguri by providing relief materials and services.
“Our collective support and solidarity would go a long way in alleviating the sufferings caused by the flood disaster,” he said.
The traditional ruler conveyed the council’s heartfelt sympathy to Gov. Babagana Zulum, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Elkanemi, and the people of the state on the tragic incident.
“May Allah give you the fortitude to bear this monumental trial. The council prays that Almighty Allah should repose the souls of the departed and grant the injured quick recovery.
“It also prays that Allah would replenish those who have lost their wealth and property,” the statement said.
