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NCDC urges state govts to ensure access to safe water, basic sanitation
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged state governments to prioritise actions that ensure access to and use of safe water, basic sanitation, and proper hygiene practices in communities.
The call is contained in a comprehensive advisory released to the public, healthcare workers, and state governments on mitigating the spread of cholera.
The centre reported a total of 1,141 suspected cases of cholera, with 65 confirmed cases and 30 deaths across 96 local government areas (LGAs) in 30 states from Jan. 1 to June 11.
The NCDC highlighted that 10 states—Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos—account for 90 per cent of the cholera burden in the country.
The centre explained that cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, ingested through contaminated water and food.
Water contamination usually results from the faeces of infected individuals, occurring during water collection, transportation, or storage at home. Food can also be contaminated by unclean hands during preparation or consumption.
At-risk populations, the centre said, include those with limited access to clean water, poor sanitation and hygiene, consumers of potentially contaminated food or fruits without proper washing and cooking, and healthcare workers providing direct patient care without standard precautions.
The centre noted that symptoms of cholera include acute, profuse, painless watery diarrhoea (rice water stools), sudden onset vomiting, and may be accompanied by nausea and fever.
Severe cases can lead to death within hours due to dehydration from massive fluid loss.
However, NCDC stressed that most infected individuals (about 80%) may show mild symptoms or be asymptomatic.
NCDC cautioned that the best prevention against cholera includes ensuring access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation and waste disposal, and adopting appropriate hygiene practices, including regular handwashing.
It advised avoiding raw fruits and vegetables, food from street vendors, and raw or undercooked seafood.
“Protect cooked food and boiled water from contamination by flies and unsanitary handling.
“Leftover food should be reheated thoroughly before consumption,” he said.
The agency said that persons experiencing diarrhoea should avoid preparing or serving food or hauling water for others to prevent the spread of infection.
“ Avoid open defecation and indiscriminate dumping of refuse. Proper disposal of waste and regular clearing of sewage are essential.
“Anyone experiencing sudden watery diarrhoea should seek immediate medical attention and refrain from self-medication,” he said.
It said that Nigerians should always practice standard safety precautions, such as wearing gloves when handling patients or providing care to ill individuals.
The public health agency said that people should Intensify efforts to promptly report suspected cholera cases to facilitate timely intervention.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that according to the World Health Organisation(WHO), cholera is a food and water-borne disease, caused by the ingestion of the organism Vibrio Cholerae in contaminated water and food.
(NAN)
The Nasarawa State Government has vowed not spare anyone caught perpetrating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) irrespective of the relationship with the victim.
Hajjya Aisha Rufa’i-Ibrahim, Commissioner for Women affairs and Social Development stated this at an event to mark the 16-day activism against GBV on Monday in Lafia.
The commissioner said that the action became imperative given the increasing cases of GBV in the state despite the efforts by the government and other stakeholders.
According to her, most times, perpetrators of this type of violence are either relations of the victims or neighbours as well as colleagues.
“When such perpetrators were arrested, oftentimes, family members, friends, and prominent people in the society will try to intervene to help save them from facing the law.
“The state government will be very hard on the perpetrators going forward to serve as a deterrent to others and ensure justice for the victims,” she said.
The Commissioner encouraged survivors and victims, as well as their family members, to always speak out to enable the government to take action against the perpetrators.
She noted that the Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration in the state had done a lot towards ensuring the protection of women and children against abuse of any kind.
“We have established a Sexual Assault Referral Centre at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital as well as a Shelter Home for victims of GBV.
“We have also activated a free medical treatment for rape victims thereby removing barriers to accessing care and support,” she added.
The commissioner also acknowledged the contributions of traditional and religious leaders, community leaders as well as Non-Governmental Organisations towards the fight against GBV in the state.
She, however, said that more was still needed to be done to strengthen collaboration between the government and other stakeholders to tackle the menace.
Rufa’i-Ibrahim called on parents and guardians to empower the girl-child economically, educationally, and politically to reduce their vulnerability to violence and exploitation.
The commissioner also rolled out the series of activities outlined to create awareness about the danger of abusing and exploiting a person as a result of his or her gender.
“The ministry, in collaboration with partners, will hold community engagement campaigns, rallies, and school outreach programs, among others.
The police operatives in Katsina State have successfully rescued 14 passengers from kidnapping by bandits in Dan’arau village, in Magama-Jibia, Jibia local government area.
The police spokesperson of the command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, who stated this in a statement, said that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 7:55 p.m.
Aliyu explained that suspected armed bandits attacked two commercial vehicles on the road with the intent of abducting the occupants.
“On Nov. 24, 2024, at about 7:55 p.m., suspected armed bandits, armed with dangerous weapons, shooting sporadically, attacked two commercial vehicles at Dan’arau village on Magama-Jibia road in Jibia, in an attempt to kidnap the occupants.
“Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jibia, led a team of operatives to the scene and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel.
“The team successfully foiled the kidnapping attempt, and rescued the 14 passengers,” he said.
Aliyu, however, said two rescued victims suffered gunshot injuries and were rushed to the hospital for immediate medical attention.
“Unfortunately, one of the victim succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment,” Aliyu revealed.
He said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, while commending the officers’ exceptional display of gallantry and dedication to duty, charged them to sustain the tempo.
He further urged the public with useful information on suspected criminal activities to continue to
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, on Monday in Abuja.
Akinboyewa said the NAF aircraft carried out the operations in Nov. 23 on the strategic location, identified through meticulous intelligence efforts.
He said the location served as a critical food storage site and a sanctuary for terrorist commanders and fighters.
He added that intelligence had previously linked terrorists in the location to recent attacks, including the assault on troops in Kareto on Nov. 16.
According to him, the NAF fighter jets, in response, launched a robust air interdiction mission, destroying identified structures used as storage facilities and neutralising terrorists on-site.
“Mop-up operations using cannons ensured the complete elimination of fleeing hostile elements.
“The operation’s success was made possible by extensive Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions conducted over several days, confirming the presence of active terrorist structures camouflaged under dense vegetation.
“The destruction of the terrorist enclave, including food storage facilities, severely disrupted their logistical operations, while the neutralisation of a significant number of fighters diminished their capacity to launch future attacks,” he said.
Akinboyewa said the mission had demonstrated the NAF’s unwavering commitment to defending our nation and people, acting singly and supporting surface forces in counterterrorism operations.
He reiterated the NAF’s commitment to sustain robust independent and joint operations until all enemies of Nigeria’s prosperity and wellbeing are brought to justice.
Nasarawa govt talks tough against perpetrators of Gender Based Violence
Police rescue 14 passengers from bandits in Jibia
NAF airstrikes destroy terrorist food depot, kill scores in Lake Chad
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