Environment

No Military Officer Has Visited Us Since NAF Bomb Our People – Buwari, Yobe Youth Leader

No military officer has visited us since NAF bomb killed eight of our people – Buwari, Yobe youth leader

Alhaji Ali Buwari is a 30-year old father of four and youth leader in Buwari community, Yobe State. His grandfather, grandmother and uncle were injured when the Nigerian Air Force jet mistakenly bombed the community on Wednesday, last week.

Has the community been attacked by Boko Haram before?

Well, there have been Boko Haram terrorists hibernating around the eastern and western axis of the village where their camps are. From there, they drive into the village on their motorcycles. They have been coming to the village to steal and commit other atrocities but for quite some time now the villagers have chased them out of the village to the dessert. It has been long since they were chased out of the village but you know, they will always find their way into the area once in a while especially when there is no presence of security personnel. That we cannot rule out but they are mostly camped in the dessert. And, in this rainy season, I can say categorically that there is no Boko Haram coming into the village because the river has blocked them from having access with their motorcycles and you know there has been an outbreak of cholera in the village. That has also barred them from entering because they too are afraid of the disease.

How did attack by the Air Force happen? Can you give a vivid account?

The day that unfortunate incident happened was on a Wednesday. The villagers were already prepared to go for the weekly market at Geidam. As early as 7:30am some had set out for the market when, from nowhere, we heard the sound of an aircraft coming from the western axis and then, heavy sounds of bullets shelling everywhere. Then the jet passed through the eastern axis. Instantly, three people died. Before we knew what was happening, we heard loud cries of people as they were running helter skelter trying to hide thinking it was an attack from the insurgents. In the process of running to safety, some got hit by bullets, some by metallic substances while others got hit while trying to tend to the those that died from the bullet. We saw houses on fire but we were not after the houses or material things, we were more interested in saving lives of those affected.

We immediately arranged for vehicles and began to transport the injured victims to Geidam general hospital. We transported 28 people. Among them were women and children while eight persons lost their lives.

When it started, what did you think it was?

Initially when the shooting started we thought it was Boko Haram terrorists that had attacked us. When we discovered it was a military jet, we thought maybe Boko Haram had invaded the village but we then realised that there was no Boko Haram infiltration as such we wondered what happened. We then called our local government chairman and the member representing Yunusari at the state assembly and informed them of the development. They, in turn asked us to evacuate those that sustained injuries to the hospital where the chairman came and met us.

Can you name the victims and the families affected?

In Buwari we are all brothers and sisters because we are all related and it is a relatively small settlement. Everybody knows everyone and everyone is related to all.

I cannot give actual names of those affected by the incident because we are still trying to get the best medical attention for the injured victims while the eight dead bodies have already been buried; so it will be difficult to say so so person is affected but my grandfather, my uncle and my grandmother sustained injuries from the aerial attack by the fighter jet.

Among those killed were women and aged men.

Those who sustained injuries that were taken to the hospital in Geidam are 28, among whom are over10 women and children. Most of the affected persons are aged men, Women and children. The youth are not many.

One particular eight-year-old child was hit by a metal on his forehead and blood was rushing profusely from the wound. When he was brought to the hospital, the doctor recommended the child be rushed to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital where he could receive proper medical attention. As we speak, he is in Maiduguri now but I cannot say anything about his condition.

One of the men that sustained injury and taken to Geidam hospital was, on Saturday referred to Damaturu for further medical attention.

A woman had a broken bone. The bone was badly broken that she too was referred to a hospital in Damaturu.

What is the extent of damage?

I cannot quantify the extent of the damage at this moment because we have yet to take inventory of the property destroyed by the aerial attack. We are not concerned about the property or houses destroyed because we believe it is the will of God and it was ordained by God to happen the way it happened. We are also busy with the injured victims here in the hospital. But houses were burnt down. Properties worth millions of naira were lost in the fire inferno that arose as result of the persistent firepower from the fighter jet.

The eight people that were killed were buried in the evening of that same day in a mass grave.

It will interest you to know that, when we heard that there was a metallic substance that had penetrated the ground in the village, we reported to the military but up till this moment, they have not stepped their feet into the village. Since that attack, no single soldier or policeman has gone to see the level of damage Air Force has done in our village.

What do you want from government?

To start with, Buwari village is the second biggest ward in the Yunusari LGA. We deliver some of the largest number of votes to the ruling APC. Since the return of democracy, we have always voted for the party and candidates the government wants us to vote for. In each of the previous elections, we have always delivered not fewer than 3,000 votes to the government. But that is where it ends. We do not have a single government presence in our village. Even the only local market we built from our hard earned money has been closed. There is no good access road to our village, nothing. Our aged parents living in the village live in perpetual fear of possible attack from the Boko Haram terrorists because there are no security forces around the village.

To paint the whole picture in the right perspective, in all the elections that have been conducted in this country, the ad hoc staff and all security personnel have never got to the village, what we usually do is to hire buses and transport all the electorate from the village and take them to Geidam to cast their votes, after that, we transport them back when they finish voting in the evening.

In the past few weeks, Cholera has killed over 10 people in Buwari village and over 100 are currently receiving treatment at Geidam general hospital. Cholera has badly affected us to the extent that the hospital doesn’t have the facility to contain all patients therefore they only treat the patients and send them back home to return at appointed times for check-up.

This disease is as a result of bad water we consume from the river surrounding the village. We do not have a single source of potable water supply.

Lastly, I want to tell the Governor, Mai Mala that his effort is being sabotaged by those parading themselves as his loyalists from that area because they have continued to take advantage of the insecurity situation in the area to enrich themselves. I have useful information I want to tell him but this powerful aides have continued to frustrate and block me from having access to him. But if he gets to read this interview, tell him that the security situation in Buwari is getting worse and his efforts are being undermined by his subordinates.

Environment

NiMet predicts 3-day rain, thunderstorms from Monday

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted rain and thunderstorms from Monday to Wednesday across the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja envisaged thunderstorms with moderate rains during the morning hours over parts of Yobe, Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi State.

According to it, the remaining parts of the region will be sunny with patches of clouds.

“Thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected during the afternoon or evening hours over parts of
Adamawa, Taraba, Zamfara, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa and Yobe.

”For the central region, Cloudy skies with sunny intervals will be experienced during the morning hours.

”In afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated over parts of Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue
and Niger States,” it said.

The agency envisaged cloudy skies over the southern region with prospects of light rains over parts of Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers during the morning hours.

It predicted moderate rain to continue into the afternoon or evening hours.

According to it, there are prospects of thunderstorms on Tuesday with moderate rains over parts of Adamawa, Gombe and Kaduna States during the morning hours in the northern region.

It forecast thunderstorms with moderate rains during the afternoon or evening hours over parts of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Bauchi, Yobe, Jigawa, Borno and Zamfara.

“For the central region, morning thunderstorms with light to moderate rains are anticipated over parts of Plateau and Nasarawa States.

“Afternoon or evening thunderstorms with moderate to heavy rains are anticipated over most parts
of the region.

“For the southern region, there are chances of morning rains over parts of Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa States,” it said.

The agency anticipated moderate to heavy rains over the entire region during the afternoon or evening periods.

NiMet predicted morning thunderstorms on Wednesday with rain over parts of Taraba, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina and Kaduna States.

It forecast thunderstorms with moderate rain over parts of Kebbi, Zamfara, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Borno and Yobe States later in the day.

“For the central region: there are chances of thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger.

“Thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Plateau and Benue states during the afternoon to evening periods.

“For the southern region, there are prospects of morning coastal rains over parts of Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States during the morning hours.

According to it, the remaining parts are expected to be cloudy. Moderate to heavy rains are expected across the Southern region during the afternoon or evening periods.

NiMet urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur.

“Ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collision. Driving under heavy rain should be avoided. Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets.

“Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees. Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website
www.nimet.gov.ng,” it said.

Environment

Flood: Kano govt, NEMA hold simulation exercise

The Kano state government has teamed up with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to carry out a large-scale flood disaster simulation in Wudil Local Government Area.

The exercise featured practical demonstrations of flood evacuation, first aid, and coordination of emergency services, all aimed at improving readiness and protecting lives in vulnerable communities.

Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo described the initiative as a crucial step to mitigate flooding. “It is often said that prevention is better than cure, and what we are doing today is a preventive measure. While we do not pray for disasters, we must be prepared so that, if anything happens, the level of destruction will be greatly reduced.”

Gwarzo assured NEMA of the state government’s readiness to support similar interventions in the future. “Under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, we are committed to working with all relevant agencies. We will do whatever it takes to prevent or at least minimize damage from flooding,” he said.

In her remarks, NEMA Director General, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, commended Kano for hosting the simulation, which also involved participants from Jigawa and Yobe states.

“Our aim is to move from being reactive to being proactive. This exercise is also about identifying gaps in our preparedness and finding ways to improve.”

She praised the collaboration among local emergency committees, Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and community groups.

Environment

Prepare for extreme weather events, climate variability, NiMet warns

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has advised that there is need to prepare for extreme weather events and climate variability in the coming days due to climate change.

Its Director-General, Prof. Charles Anosike, said the extreme weather events could cause damage to buildings, infrastructure, and farmlands, displacement of people and loss of lives.

The NiMet boss stated this in Abuja on Tuesday at a one-day sensitisation forum organised by NiMet in partnership with First Green White Resources.

Anosike while stating the strategic role of the media in communicating scientific data to the public, noted that the agency’s success depends not only on the accuracy of its forecasts but also on effective communication.

The DG urged the media to collaborate with the agency to make Nigeria better informed, prepared, and resilient in the face of climate variability and extreme weather events.

He said: ‘Reports by the media guide disaster preparedness, food production, and help pilots avoid hazardous situations. The success of NiMet does not rest solely on the accuracy of our scientific data and information but also depends on the effectiveness of the information to the public which is where the media play a crucial role.

‘The management of NiMet is poised to provide quality service in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. Within the last year alone, we have sponsored staff to training within and outside the country, and we have taken necessary steps to address issues concerning staff welfare.

‘If we are better informed and better prepared, we will be more resilient in the face of the recent extreme weather events and climate variability’.

The Director of Weather Forecasting Services (DWFS), Prof. Vincent Weli disclosed that plans are ongoing to share weather information to telecommunication subscribers through NiMet’s partnership with MTN.

He said: ‘We just signed an MoU with MTN to be able to move to the next level where weather information can be appearing in the phones of Nigerians. We are not there yet, but we’re almost 70% to disseminate.

‘MTN is the only network provider for now, but we also believe that we will reach out to other network providers so that no matter the network people use, they will be able to have weather information in the language that they understand’.