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IOM Expands Aid Operations in South Sudan, Appeals for Donor Support
GENEVA – IOM is expanding its assistance to people displaced by the ongoing conflict in South Sudan and has issued an appeal to the international community for further support.
IOM Director General William Lacy Swing arrived in Juba on Sunday to show his concern and support for the crisis-affected population, and to meet with IOM staff and humanitarian partners.
Conflict broke out in South Sudan on 15 December, and the crisis has since forced nearly 200,000 people to flee their homes. An estimated 62,000 people have sought shelter and protection on UN peacekeeping bases, and some 22,600 people have crossed into neighbouring countries. Shelter, non-food items (NFIs), food, healthcare, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services are urgently needed in areas where displaced populations have gathered.
IOM has been leading the registration of displaced persons on UN bases in Juba and distributing relief supplies in coordination with humanitarian partners. Adequate shelter and essential household items, including plastic sheets, blankets, sleeping mats and cooking kits, are vital to improve the living conditions of those displaced by the current crisis.
“The needs created by this crisis are staggering. I am deeply saddened by the violence that has affected so many South Sudanese, who are simply trying to survive,” said Director General Swing. “During my time in Juba, I also saw the enormous efforts being made by the humanitarian community to assist people who have been displaced. This work is vital, and we are calling upon our partners in the international community to provide additional funding support so that we can continue to meet the basic needs of South Sudan’s most vulnerable people.”
Between 23 December and 2 January, approximately 17,400 people (6,500 households) were registered and received shelter and NFI assistance at the UN Tomping base in Juba. Registration at the Tomping base closed on January 2. However, new people continue to arrive, including many foreign nationals who were evacuated by the UN peacekeeping mission from areas where heavy fighting occurred. The site has exceeded its capacity and it is not possible to accept additional arrivals. Protection of civilians within the site remains a major concern, as fighting within and close to the camp is being reported.
At the UN Juba 3 base, registration began on 1 January and is ongoing. A total of 6,634 individuals (2,915 households) have been registered and provided with assistance as of 5 January. IOM is assisting with the voluntary transportation of persons who cannot be accommodated in Tomping to the Juba 3 base.
The humanitarian community recently regained access to Malakal in Upper Nile State, where heavy fighting displaced thousands of people in the past week. IOM is coordinating the WASH response on the UN Malakal base, which is hosting some 12,000 displaced persons.
Treated water is being transported and distributed at the site on a daily basis in partnership with the UN peacekeeping mission, and emergency latrines and hand washing stations are being established to improve sanitation and mitigate the spread of disease.
IOM is also supporting the provision of WASH services on the UN compounds in Juba through its Rapid Response Fund (RRF), a grant programme that engages local and international partners to address urgent needs throughout South Sudan.
On 6 January IOM issued an appeal to the international community to provide a total of USD 23.2 million in support of the organization’s humanitarian response to the South Sudan crisis.
The appeal highlights emergency humanitarian assistance that IOM, as lead agency of the Shelter & Non Food Item (NFI), and Camp Coordination & Camp Management (CCCM) clusters and an active contributor to the WASH and Health clusters, proposes to deliver in South Sudan between January and March 2014.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has alerted motorists to traffic delays along Ogunnusi Road towards Ojodu-Berger due to ongoing rehabilitation work.
LASTMA disclosed this in a post on its official X account on Sunday, stating that the road rehabilitation was being carried out by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC).
According to the agency, “The ongoing work is affecting traffic flow, with vehicles moving at a slower pace in both directions.”
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To ease the situation, LASTMA said a contraflow arrangement had been introduced for motorists travelling from Omole Junction towards Vis Junction.
“A contraflow arrangement is in place for vehicles coming from Omole Junction towards Vis Junction to facilitate the movement of traffic,” the agency stated.
LASTMA added that its personnel had been deployed to manage traffic and ensure the continuous movement of vehicles around the affected area.
“Our personnel are on ground managing the traffic situation and ensuring the continuous flow of vehicular movement,” the agency said.
The traffic management authority advised motorists to remain patient and exercise caution while the rehabilitation work continues.
“Motorists are advised to exercise patience and drive with caution while the rehabilitation work continues,” LASTMA stated.
Leading economists, financial experts and industry stakeholders have described the Dangote Group’s investments as major drivers of industrialisation and economic transformation across Nigeria and Africa.
The experts cited the Group’s impact on job creation, import substitution, foreign exchange conservation and economic competitiveness.
They voiced their thoughts at the Lagos Economic Summit themed “The Real Deal: Africa’s Greatest Investment Opportunity,” where they urged governments to implement policies that strengthen local industries and accelerate economic diversification.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Samaila Zubairu, commended the Dangote Group’s sustained investments across Africa, describing them as critical to unlocking the continent’s economic potential.
He noted that while recent economic reforms have improved foreign exchange stability, strengthened reserves and eased inflationary pressures, the focus must now shift to growth in industry, productivity and employment.
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Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Muda Yusuf, said industrialisation remains the most effective path to sustainable economic development.
He called for better alignment of trade and industrial policies, stressing that local manufacturers require strategic support to compete effectively and drive broader economic benefits.
Founder and CEO of Nairametrics, Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, said Africa’s growing population presents a significant industrial opportunity, noting that investments such as the Dangote Refinery are helping to retain capital within the continent while strengthening local production capacity.
In his keynote address, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said Nigeria is gradually transitioning from a consumption-led economy to one driven by investment and production.
He added that sustained investments in productive sectors will continue to stimulate growth, create jobs and improve living standards.
Participants at the summit also advocated stronger credit infrastructure, improved national identification systems and increased investment in skills development to enhance the productivity and global competitiveness of Africa’s growing youth population.
Photo Caption: From Left – Chief Economist, Dangote Industries Limited, Dr. Hassan Mahmud; Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; Chairman of Occasion/Special Guest of Honour, Samaila Zubairu; Key Note Speaker Session 1, Bismarck Rewane; during the Real Deal: Africa’s Greatest Investment Opportunity, Sponsored by Dangote Industry Limited in Lagos on Thursday 3, September 2026.
Social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has released what he described as his first piece of evidence after the Nigeria Police Force challenged him to substantiate his allegations that some police officers allegedly collaborate with kidnappers.
VDM released a video on his Instagram handle on Thursday, August 27, 2026, shortly after the police invited him to provide evidence supporting the claims he made at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt.
SEE MORE: ‘Provide Evidence’ — Police React to VDM’s Explosive Kidnap Allegation
The activist captioned the video: “My evidence number 1.”
Recalled that VDM, who was a panellist at the NBA conference on Tuesday, had alleged that some police officers manning checkpoints along major highways provide kidnappers and bandits with information about travellers.
According to him, the officers allegedly relay details about the identities and movements of travellers to criminal groups, thereby facilitating abductions for ransom.
The allegation triggered a response from the Nigeria Police Force, which denied the claim and challenged VDM to substantiate his allegations.
The police invitation came as the force sought evidence to support the serious claims made by the social media critic.
In response, VDM released the video, describing it as his “evidence number 1”, signalling that he may provide further material to support his allegations.
The development has continued to attract attention, with the controversy placing renewed focus on allegations of possible collaboration between security personnel and criminal groups involved in kidnapping and banditry.
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