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Tens of thousands suffer from armed conflict and other violence in Nigeria – ICRC
GENEVA – Conflict-affected people in Nigeria are struggling to meet basic needs. The ICRC, in cooperation with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, has brought aid to around 40,000 displaced and otherwise vulnerable people. It has also been granted greater access to places of detention.
“Violence, lack of security and growing anxiety over recent months have resulted in tens of thousands of people fleeing the conflict in the north-east of the country,” said Zoran Jovanovic, head of the ICRC delegation in Nigeria. “Thousands have been injured and hundreds have lost their lives.” Displaced people have sought safe havens elsewhere in the country or in Niger, Cameroon or Chad.
“The availability of shelter, food, water, clothes and health services has worsened in that region,” said Mr Jovanovic. As a direct consequence of the conflict, food prices have increased and shortages have arisen, especially along the borders with neighbouring countries. “The tenuous security situation, combined with communication disruptions, has made it difficult for family members to maintain contact with one another – and also for aid to be delivered,” he added.
Shelter materials and other essential supplies in the north-east
Since August 2013, more than 18,000 people affected by the conflict in Borno state, in the north-eastern part of the country, have received shelter materials, mosquito nets, blankets, hygiene items and household essentials distributed in cooperation with the Nigerian Red Cross. An estimated 45 per cent of the people receiving the aid were women, many of them widowed or elderly.
Nearly 250 women recently widowed by the conflict in Borno state are being given monthly food rations. “These women suddenly became the sole providers for their families. They will be provided with food for six months, during which they will be able to save some money so that they can start small business ventures,” said Ruth Muriungi, the ICRC delegate in charge of the programme. An estimated 1,500 people in the Maiduguri and Jere areas are now eating more and better food because of the programme put in place with the help of Borno widows’ associations. “Thanks to this, our family of six went from one meal a day to three,” said Hadiza, one of the widows in Jere. “God willing, I’ll soon be able to start selling food in the market.”
Emergency assistance after intercommunal violence
Meanwhile, Kaduna, Plateau, Nassarawa and Benue states, in central Nigeria, have been regularly hit by intercommunal violence over access to land and other resources. Thousands of people have been displaced and hundreds injured or killed. In 2013, around 20,000 people suffering the effects of violence in Plateau and Kaduna states received food, shelter materials and kitchen and hygiene items distributed in cooperation with the Nigerian Red Cross. ICRC engineers worked on water sources and pipes to improve access to safe drinking water in the villages of Riyom and Wase and in five health-care facilities in the states. “Our building had not had running water for over 10 years,” said Hajia Khadijat, who works in a clinic run by the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations of Nigeria. “We could not afford to pay the bills, and the plumbing deteriorated. With the new fittings and pipes, our taps are working again.”
In the restive Niger Delta, in the south of the country, crime is on the rise and intercommunal clashes occur periodically. Owing to the worsening of the security situation in recent years, people in remote riverine areas have suffered in particular from increasingly difficult access to health care.
Progress visiting detainees
Since February 2013, in agreement with the Nigerian authorities, the ICRC has been visiting detainees in 15 police stations and six prisons all over the country. Repeated visits, the aim of which is to monitor the treatment and living conditions of detainees, have taken place in accordance with the ICRC’s standard working procedures, which include discussions with the detaining authorities, access to all the premises and private talks with the detainees.
In January 2014, for the first time ever, ICRC staff visited detainees held under the responsibility of the Nigerian Army in the capital of Borno state. During the previous months, the ICRC had negotiated access to the detainees with the Nigerian authorities. “Findings of our visits to detention places are confidential and are shared exclusively with the authorities concerned,” said Monique Crettol of the ICRC delegation in Nigeria.
Former Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Yobe State, promising to tackle insecurity and rebuild the state’s economy.
In a statement released Tuesday following a consultation meeting in the state, the retired police chief said his ambition is driven by a desire to restore peace, strengthen institutions, and accelerate development across all sectors.
Alkali pledged to “wipe out insurgency” and revive economic activities disrupted by years of insecurity, noting that his administration would prioritise intelligence-driven security and community partnerships.
“My vision for Yobe State is clear. I want a state where security is strengthened through intelligence and community partnership. I want a state where farmers can return to their farms with confidence, traders can move freely, and children can go to school without fear,” he said.
The former police boss emphasised his experience in national security management, stating that his years in public service have equipped him with the discipline and strategic thinking needed to govern effectively.
According to him, Yobe State requires leadership that understands security, institutional coordination, and human development, adding that insecurity has significantly hindered growth and deepened poverty in the region.
He also outlined plans to boost agriculture, expand infrastructure, and invest in education and youth empowerment. Alkali promised to provide microcredit support for women and equip young people with technical skills and startup kits to drive commerce and industry.
On healthcare, he pledged to combat child-killer diseases, including polio, and introduce free maternal healthcare services, as well as free medical care for children aged zero to five.
“Mothers will not die during childbirth, and children will live and thrive. They will go to school and graduate in a safe and secure environment,” he assured.
Alkali further stated that his administration would focus on inclusive governance, ensuring development reaches all local government areas without discrimination.
While expressing readiness to build on the achievements of the current administration, he maintained that governance must go beyond rhetoric and propaganda, stressing that it requires “vision, action, and the courage to make tough decisions.”
Bayern Munich have made a strong statement over the future of winger Michael Olise, with Vice-President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisting the club would reject even a €200 million offer for the player.
The comments, reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Monday, highlight Bayern’s long-standing policy of prioritising sporting stability over financial gain.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Chelsea Hit With £10.75m Fine, Transfer Ban
Rummenigge explained that the club’s position is rooted in a historic decision made in 2009, when Bayern received a massive bid from Chelsea for Franck Ribéry.
After internal discussions involving then CFO Karl Hopfner and former president Uli Hoeneß, the club chose to reject the offer — a decision that shaped its modern transfer philosophy.
According to him, that principle remains unchanged today.
He stressed that Bayern do not consider selling players who are essential to the team, adding that even a record-breaking €200 million bid would not change their stance on Olise.
The statement is expected to fuel further transfer speculation across Europe, but Bayern officials maintain that Olise is a key part of their long-term sporting project and not for sale.
Bayern Munich continue to uphold their “untouchable players” policy, while Michael Olise remains central to their squad plans.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) has defended its position following the controversial ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board over the disputed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Moroccan football authority said its appeal was strictly aimed at ensuring the proper application of competition rules, and not to question the sporting merit or performance of any team involved in the final.
The federation emphasized its commitment to fairness, transparency, and the stability of African football competitions, noting that its actions were guided by respect for established regulations.
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“The Federation reiterates that its approach has always been grounded in respect for the rules and stability of African competitions,” the statement read.
FRMF also praised all participating nations in the tournament, describing the 2025 AFCON as a significant milestone in the growth and development of football across the continent.
However, the body revealed that a more detailed position would be made public after a scheduled meeting of its governing organs.
The statement is expected to further clarify Morocco’s stance and outline any possible legal or administrative steps moving forward.
The CAF Appeal Board’s decision has continued to generate widespread reactions among football stakeholders, with growing calls for clearer regulations, improved transparency, and consistency in the administration of African football.
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