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  • 24,000 Nigerians declare missing since 2015 – ICRC

    24,000 Nigerians declare missing since 2015 – ICRC

    No fewer than 24,000 Nigerians were declared missing by their families, according to International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) data.

    Maria Toscano, an ICRC Protection of Family Links Team Leader, who made this known at a media workshop in Maiduguri said the international body was still on their trace.

    The diplomat said Borno had the highest number of the missing persons with about 9,000 out of the 16,000 registered by ICRC in the north-east.

    According to her, 11 persons have so far been reunited with their families this year, in addition to the 13 persons that have been reintegrated with their families in 2024.

    Toscano said of the 24,000 registered missing persons, 71 per cent of the incidents occurred from 2014 to 2015, adding that Bama Local Government Area of Borno had the highest caseload of about 5,000 missing persons.

    The diplomat also said 65 per cent of those missing in the north-east were children at the time they were missing.

    Toscano, however, identified lack of access to conflict-affected areas and difficulties in contacting families, among their challenges.

    Earlier, the Head of ICRC sub-delegation in Maiduguri, Diana Japaridze, expressed concern over the Increasing rate of missing persons and families who were yet to be reunited after suffering displacement due to armed conflict for over a decade.

    “Some people spend years searching for loved ones, often with no result. Families have a right to know their fate.

    “In the chaos of armed conflict, situations of violence and disasters, families can become separated in a matter of minutes, creating anguish and vulnerability and sometimes leading to long years of uncertainty about the fate of children, spouses or parents,” she said.

    Japaridze urged media practitioners to contribute to awareness creation and draw the public’s attention to the needs of missing persons

    “While States should raise public awareness of the problem of missing persons as a fundamental concern of international humanitarian law and human rights law, the mass media must draw the public attention to this problem and the needs of families of missing persons.

    “We hope the knowledge and discussions we are going to share and have during the training will help you, the media professionals, research on the topic more deeply, ask better questions, write quality content, and thus report it in a more professional, unbiased, and empathetic manner,” she said.

  • 3.7m people face food insecurity in northeast Nigeria – ICRC

    3.7m people face food insecurity in northeast Nigeria – ICRC

    The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has raised alarm over worsening food insecurity in conflict-affected areas of northeast Nigeria, where more than 3.7 million people are currently struggling to access enough food.

    Aliyu Dawobe, Public Relations Officer of the ICRC, made this known in a statement issued Monday in Abuja.

    He explained that many of those affected were formerly farmers who had provided for their communities but were displaced due to years of conflict.

    The statement noted that violence had forced families from their homes, restricted access to farmland, and disrupted local food production systems.

    Diana Japaridze, Head of the ICRC office in Maiduguri, described the growing pressure on households as the lean season began and food stocks dwindled.

    “This is the period when families must begin buying food, but many conflict-affected households simply can’t afford it. They’re forced to drastically limit their intake,” she said.

    She added that food insecurity was also fueling rising rates of malnutrition, particularly among children under five, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.

    “In response, the ICRC is supporting malnutrition stabilisation centres and offering community education programmes to help families care for vulnerable children.

    “To tackle the root causes of food insecurity and support long-term resilience, the ICRC has launched an agricultural assistance programme.

    “The initiative supports both rainy and dry season farming and targets thousands of farming households.

    “This year alone, more than 21,000 farming households have received seeds adapted to local conditions, along with planting tools to ease labour and improve efficiency,” she explained.

    She said that the support included a mix of field crops and vegetables such as rice, maize, tomato, and okra, all aimed at increasing dietary diversity and nutritional value.

    “Farmers are also being trained in sustainable farming practices to ensure continuity beyond ICRC’s intervention.

    “At a systemic level, and in collaboration with the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), we recently repaired a vital water source to ensure continuous access for the council’s seed testing and greenhouse facilities,” she added.

    In spite of these efforts, Japaridze warned that the lean season remained a critical challenge for many farmers who still could not produce enough to feed their families.

    Community voices emphasised the urgency on the ground. Modu Umar, a community leader in Dikwa, said: “Right now, we face severe food shortages.”

    “Some families walk long distances daily just to collect and sell firewood to afford food. Farming is the only real solution.”

    Churi Ibrahim, a 70-year-old farmer from Gajibo, highlighted the ongoing security risks.

    “Some people trek three hours just to reach their farms. By the time you get there, you’re exhausted, and returning home takes even longer,” he said.

    In spite of the fear and hardship, local farmers remained determined.

    “Even when they’re afraid, they still go,” said Bintu Konto, a mother of five. If we don’t farm during the rainy season, we’ll have nothing to eat.”

  • Dasin Hausa dam: FG’s accelerated plans encouraging, ICRC reports

    Dasin Hausa dam: FG’s accelerated plans encouraging, ICRC reports

    The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), says plans are ongoing to fast-track construction of the Dasin Hausa Dam through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

    A statement issued by Ifeanyi Nwoko, the Acting Head, Media and Publicity, ICRC, on Thursday in Abuja, said this was the focus of a meeting between the Commission, Ministry of Water Resources and Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited.

    Nwoko said the long-overdue project would serve as a buffer against the devastating floods caused by excess water released from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

    He said the Dasin Hausa Dam, which was originally planned in the 1980s to complement Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, had remained stalled for over 40 years.

    According to him, under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, efforts are now ongoing to fast-track its construction through a PPP.

    He quoted the Director-General (D-G) of ICRC, Dr Johnson Ewalefoh, as saying, “ the objective of the meeting is to assess progress since the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) signing.

    Ewalefoh said the meeting was also to review commitments by both parties, address regulatory concerns, and receive updates on the project’s implementation timeline and challenges.

    “This meeting is a major step towards ensuring the dam’s swift and successful execution.”

    He expressed confidence that all processes leading to the dam’s construction would be expedited with. Tinubu’s strong support for infrastructure development and PPPs.

    The D-G said when completed, the Multi-Purpose Dam would mitigate the flooding caused by the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

    “The completion of Dasin Hausa Dam is not just about stopping floods, it is about securing our future.

    “Every year, we watch helplessly as floodwaters from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam destroy homes, farmlands, and livelihoods.

    “With this dam, we can finally control the floods, protect communities, and save billions of Naira in damages.”

    Ewelafoh said the project would also generate more than 300 megawatts of electricity, boost industries, and create thousands of jobs.

    He said the dam would also provide a source for irrigation farming for Adamawa, Taraba, and Benue states, covering over 150,000 hectares of farmlands.

    “Imagine the transformation of year-round irrigation for farmers, abundant food production, stable water supply, and improved inland waterways.

    “This dam is the key to unlocking economic prosperity for Taraba and the entire country.

    “ We have delayed long enough, and the cost of inaction has been devastating. It’s time to build the Dasin Hausa Dam and change Nigeria’s story forever,” he said.

    The D-G said currently, a pre-feasibility study had been completed, and stakeholders had requested an extended study to address areas that were not initially covered.

    Mr Zacheus Akinjogbin, Head PPP Unit, Ministry of Water Resources assured stakeholders that the ministry was taking concrete steps to see the project through to completion.

    Mr Lamu Audu, an Engineer and Managing Director, Mainstream Energy Solutions, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to partnering with the Federal Government and mobilising private-sector funds and expertise to complete the project.

    Audu said several international financiers, donour agencies, and the World Bank had already expressed strong interest in supporting the dam’s completion.

    The meeting ended with stakeholders agreeing to set clear timelines for resolving outstanding issues, ensuring that the project moved forward swiftly at the Ministry of Water Resources.

  • ICRC demands protection of patients, healthcare workers, medical facilities in Gaza

    ICRC demands protection of patients, healthcare workers, medical facilities in Gaza

    The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for the respect and protection of medical facilities, patients and healthcare workers in Gaza.

    Mr Aliyu Dawobe, the Public Relations Officer of ICRC, made the call in a statement in Abuja.

    Dawobe said that the healthcare system in Gaza has reached a point of no return, risking the lives of thousands of wounded, sick and displaced people, running on thin and overstretched supplies and increasingly unsafe environment.

    Dawobe quoted Mr William Schomburg, the Head of ICRC sub-delegation in Gaza, as saying “this is severely affecting hospitals and ambulances, and taking a heavy toll on civilians, patients and medical staff.

    “The destruction affecting hospitals in Gaza is becoming unbearable and needs to stop.

    “The lives of thousands of civilians, patients and medical staff are at risk.”

    Schomburg also said that over the past days, ICRC teams distributing critical supplies to medical structures across Gaza, witnessed horrendous images that have now gotten worse due to sharpened hostilities.

    According to him, children’s hospitals have not been spared from the violence, including Al Nasser Hospital, heavily damaged by the hostilities, and Al Rantisi Hospital, which has had to cease its operations.

    He said that their partner, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), had been working relentlessly to continue operating the Al Quds Hospital, as it desperately runs out of necessary means, amidst increasing hostilities.

    Schomburg said that Al Shifa Medical Complex, the largest referral hospital in the Gaza Strip, already overwhelmed with patients, now hosts thousands of displaced families who lost their homes over the last month due to the conflict.

    “Any military operation around hospitals must consider the presence of civilians, who are protected under international humanitarian law.

    “Attacks on medical facilities and personnel dealt a heavy blow on the healthcare system in Gaza, which is severely weakened after more than one month of heavy fighting.

    “The rules of war are clear. Hospitals are specially protected facilities under international humanitarian law.

    “The ICRC urgently calls for the immediate protection of all civilians, including humanitarian workers and medical personnel,” he said.

    According to him, the protection is not only a legal obligation, but a moral imperative to preserve human lives in terr

  • FEC approves 3 PPP projects for NIMASA, targets $1.1bn revenue – ICRC

    FEC approves 3 PPP projects for NIMASA, targets $1.1bn revenue – ICRC

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved three Public Private Partnership (PPP) Projects to be executed in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    This is contained in a statement by Mrs Manji Yarling, Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

    Yarling said the projects, under the regulatory guidance of the ICRC, were projected to generate over 1.1 billion  dollars to the Federal Government during the concession period.

    She said the projects included the Eastern Offshore Waste Reception Facility, Central/Western Offshore Waste Reception Facility and a Floating Dry Dock.

    Yarling said the projects were approved by FEC following the issuance of Full Business Case Certificate of Compliance (FBC) by the PPP regulatory body, the ICRC.

    She said the Director-General, ICRC, Michael Ohiani issued the FBCs for the Offshore Waste Reception Facilities (OWRF) projects.

    According to her, Ohiani said the move demonstrated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to the environmental well-being of coastal communities and offshore fishermen.

    “The essence of the approvals by FEC is for the OWRF to put in place a standard facility for use in Nigeria’s international waters, in compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) 1973/1978.”

    Ohiani said the goal of the proposed partnership was to protect the offshore environment and provide a visible deterrent for offshore polluters from a surveillance point of view.

    He said it was also to reduce the current level of pollution to the benefit of offshore fishermen and coastal communities.

    The director-general said the OWRF projects would essentially help keep the seas and oceans clean.

    “Each facility, when completed, would be adequate to fully meet the needs of ships and other installations regularly making use of the facilities, and contribute to the improvement of the marine environment.

    ” They will allow for the ultimate disposal and discharge of wastes from ships and other installations in an environmentally friendly way,” Ohiani said.

    He said more details on the Eastern OWRF showed that the Design, Finance, Build, Operate, Maintain and Transfer (DFBOMT) PPP model would be adopted with XPO Marine Services Limited as the concessionaire for an initial period of 10 years.

    “The projected total revenue from Eastern OWRF for the entire concession period due to Federal Government based on revenue sharing ratios is 279.4 million dollars.

    “The projected total revenue for the entire concession period from the Central and Western zones due to Federal Government, based on the revenue sharing ratios, is 765.2 million dollars.

    “The concessionaire for the Central and Western OWRF is African Circle Pollution Waste Management Limited and the concession period is also 10 years.”

    He said also approved by FEC was the management contract to Operate, Maintain and Transfer (OMT) the Floating Dry Dock (FDD) of NIMASA.

    ” The FDD is for the repair of cabotage vessels.

    “The concessionaire, J. Marine Logistics Limited, is to manage the Modular/Floating Dry Dock for 15 years.

    “Total revenue accruing to NIMASA for the 15 years concession period is 65.6 million dollars (N27.2 billion).

    When fully implemented, the project is expected to create over 800 direct and indirect jobs.”

    Ohiani said beyond revenue generation, the project was also expected to create jobs, develop capacity and provide maintenance facilities for ships and boats.

    He said FEC also approved a PPP project in Ikeja Lagos, for the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) to develop a commercial mixed-use complex.

    Ohiani said that the complex would comprise houses, hotels, recreational facilities as well an office complex.

    ‘The FRCN PPP project was approved for a concession period of 55 years with expected revenue for the period put at N14.9 billion while the concessionaire is Fish Valley Investment & Property Limited. “

  • International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances: Where are they?

    International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances: Where are they?

    The search for a loved one never ends…

    A research intern fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Prince Ayobami Akinola left his home on Sunday, August 28 for church at Gowon Estate Ipaja in Lagos state and has been declared missing since then.

    Two other persons – 23-year-old Amarachi Esther Jack a resident of Lekki and Olubusade Olamilekan, a 500-level law student at the University of Ibadan, were also reported missing in the last week.

    Over 25,000 people have been reported missing in Nigeria, according to the latest figures published by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and more than half of them are children.

    The UN International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is observed on August 30 every year.

    “Sadly, the almost 14,000 children registered does not capture the full scope of this often-neglected and tragic humanitarian issue. There is no doubt that there are more children whose fate remains unknown,” said Yann Bonzon, head of the delegation for the ICRC in Nigeria.

    Kidnapping and armed conflict are the main reasons why people go missing in Nigeria. The most famous case of involuntary disappearances in Nigeria is the abduction of 270 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State in April 2014 by the extremist group Boko Haram and as of 2022, 112 girls are still missing.

    Victims are frequently tortured, starved, raped, or forced into marriage and many are killed.  Those who are alive live in constant fear of being killed and even if they escape death or are eventually released, the physical and psychological scars stay with them.

    Documented cases of missing persons are on the rise. Family and friends of people who have disappeared experience slow mental anguish, not knowing if their loved one will ever return often leaves them in limbo.

    Globally, the vast majority of victims of enforced disappearance are men, usually the breadwinner. The women are forced to assume the responsibility of providing for the family and leading the often long search to find their missing loved ones.

    In 2022 from January to June, the ICRC together with the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), assisted in the exchange of 1,250 Red Cross Messages containing family news and reunited 31 separated children/unaccompanied minors with their families.

    In addition, families of 377 persons received information about the whereabouts or fate of their loved ones and 146 families of missing persons received psychosocial, economic, legal, and administrative support through the Accompaniment Program for Families of the Missing.

    The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission Anthony Ojukwu, has called for the establishment of a database for missing persons in Nigeria.

    “The database will ultimately among other things; help to establish and update the list of missing persons, taking into cognizance the fact that institutions like the Nigeria Police have similar existing data,” he said.

    Similarly, the regional director for ICRC in Africa Patrick Youssef, said having the right policies in place can save lives.

    “It is an essential step to protect migrants and families of missing persons. This is a question of humanity and human dignity,” Youssef noted.

     

  • ICRC condemns killing of 2 aid workers in Mali

    The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has condemned the killing of two of its aid workers in Mali.

    ICRC said the two victims, employees of Dutch Red Cross and the Malian Red Cross, were returning from the town of Kayes in Western Mali on Wednesday when their vehicle came under fire from unknown persons.

    It added that the other two Red Cross staff travelling in the same vehicle survived the attack.

    Mali has been battling an Islamist insurgency for a decade but security concerns in the country have intensified in recent months.

    Earlier this year, former colonial power France announced plans to withdraw its troops from the country after almost a decade.

    The country’s military is supported by a large UN peacekeeping force that is frequently attacked by militants.

    In May, the German parliament approved plans to increase its contribution to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) by up to 1,400 soldiers.

    Mali has been led since 2020 by Colonel Assimi Goita, who seized power in a coup that removed the country’s democratically elected president.

    Goita drew further international condemnation when he was sworn in as president nine months later.

  • Nigeria Air to fly before June 2023 – ICRC

    Nigeria Air to fly before June 2023 – ICRC

    The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) says Air Nigeria will begin to convey Nigerians before the end of President Muhammad Buhari’s administration.

    Acting Director-General (I-G) of the commission, Mr Michael Ohiani told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, that the ICRC was now working round the clock to get it operational.

    Ohiani said that ICRC was working closely with the Ministry of Aviation, adding that a new presidential approval had just been given that would advance the process.

    The ICRC boss who did not give details of the approvals, assured that the process would be moving to the next stage by the end of February.

    “I want to assure the Nigerian public that we are working round the clock to get it operational. We are working with the Ministry of Aviation and we have just gotten a presidential approval.

    “We will get the concessionaire, once we have gotten the concessionaire which is a major step, the issue of operation will now follow.

    “I can assure you that before the end of this administration, Air Nigeria will start flying,” he said.

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Nov. 2021, gave an approval for the commencement of processes to inaugurate the nation’s air carrier, Air Nigeria.

    The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika who at that time briefed newsmen, announced April 2022 as the effective date for the take-off.

    Sirika had also said that 49 per cent of the Nigeria Air project would be owned by strategic equity partners, 46 per cent by Nigerians while the Federal Government wound five per cent of the shares.

    In a related development, the ICRC acting D-G said that plans were ongoing for the establishment of six cargo agro airports in the six geo political zones.

    Ohiani said that the cargo airports were part of the commitment of the present administration to boost agriculture, adding that the airport would boost transportation of produce within and outside Nigeria.

    He hinted that the cargo airport project was still in its development stage.

    Ohiani added that a lot of efforts were being made in the aviation industry to achieve the Presidential Aviation Road Map.

    For the concession of terminal operations at the four International Airports, the ICRC boss said that the commission and its partners were currently procuring companies that would operate the terminals.

    “Apart from that we have what we call MRO, which is the development of a Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul facilities

    “As we speak, an investor has emerged in respect of that and so we are trying to finalise.

    “We also have the establishment of the Aviation Leasing Company.

    “Experience has shown that for you to have a sustainable aviation industry, you have to have a leasing company so that the operators can easily acquire fleets of planes,” he said.

    Ohiani assured that the commission was already concluding plans to go to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval to concession the establishment of the leasing company.

    ICRC was established to regulate PPP endeavours of the Federal Government aimed at addressing Nigeria’s physical infrastructure deficit which hampers economic development.

  • ICRC debunks rumours on Kainji Dam collapse

    ICRC debunks rumours on Kainji Dam collapse

    The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has confirmed that the integrity of Kainji Dam is “intact and that the facility is operating flawlessly”.

    The confirmation is contained in a statement signed by Mr Chidi Izuwah, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, ICRC on Tuesday, in Abuja.

    Izuwah said that the attention of ICRC was drawn “to very dangerous fake news circulating about Kainji Dam”.

    “As part of the Power Sector reforms Kainji Hydro-power Facilities were concession-ed to Mainstream Energy Solutions.

    “Mainstream’s responsibility include safe custody of the entire dam structure and appurtenances.

    “The ICRC, being the statutory agency responsible for pre and post contract regulation of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and concessions, has continued regular technical and other compliance monitoring of the Kainji Concession.

    “The ICRC wants to confirm that the integrity of Kainji Dam is intact and the facility is operating flawlessly and injecting lowest cost power to the national grid,” he said.

    Izuwah said ICRC conducted a compliance monitoring visit before the COVID-19 pandemic on the dam and all aspects were inspected and tested.

    “We thoroughly inspected the Dam Crest, Reservoir, Embankment Rip Rap, Dam Toe, Toe Drain, Piezometers, Spillway, Stilling Basin, Power House etc.

    “Furthermore Kainji has one of the most sophisticated real time inflow prediction and reservoir basin management systems.

    “This computer based system, with feeder monitors on the upstream and downstream stretches, is designed to ensure world class hydraulics flow management for dam, upstream and downstream safety management.”

    The director-general further explained what an embankment collapse of the dam meant and its implications for the nation.

    “Kainji Dam impounds over 16 billion litres of water. Embankment collapse means the dam structure is breached leading to loss of containment of the impounded water.

    “Embankment collapse will result in what is called a dam break wave.

    “Most empirical hydraulic models will show that everything probably some decent distance on both banks of the niger from kainji dam location to the sea will be washed away.

    “A dam break wave is very similar to a Tsunami wave but is not of seismic origin.”

    He added that an embankment collapse of the dam would “probably be the biggest disaster to hit Nigeria”.

    Izuwah further assured Nigerians that Kainji was safe and advised them to ignore the fake news on the dam.

    “We advised all Nigerians to please kindly check the status of our PPP and concession projects on the ICRC disclosure portal or directly with the Commission.”

  • We did everything possible to save Hauwa – Buhari

    We did everything possible to save Hauwa – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari says the federal government did everything possible to save the life of Hauwa Liman, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) midwife killed by Boko Haram.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Buhari, in a statement on Tuesday, said he has spoken with the father of Hauwa, Mohammed Liman, to extend condolences.
    “It is not the kind of telephone call anyone prays to make. The federal government did everything possible to save Hauwa’s life; it is tragic and regrettable that all our efforts were unsuccessful,” he said.
    The President it is extremely sad that Hauwa has to end up the way it happened.
    “I expressed our deepest condolences to her father, on behalf of the Government and all the people of Nigeria,” he said.
    Buhari said he also spoke with Peter Maurer, President of the ICRC, to extend condolences on the death of Hauwa.
    “The ICRC has been doing a great job in Nigeria, providing healthcare services to people in the areas most affected by the insurgency. We salute their courage and service,” he said.
    “We fervently hope that these series of sad events, leading to the painful loss of their staff, will not discourage the ICRC from working in Nigeria. We hope that they will continue to offer their services, and not give up, inspite of what has happened.
    “I am reassuring everyone that the Fed Govt will continue to do all within our power to protect not just humanitarian workers, but also everyone working or living in the North East. I salute our military, who continue to fight and strive hard to permanently neutralize Boko Haram,” he further stated.