The United Nations has strongly condemned the reported abduction of internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of them women, boys and girls, in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.
In a statement on Wednesday, UN lamented that while the exact number of people abducted remains unknown, but it is estimated at over 200 people.
The statement by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed Malick Fall read that: “On 29 February, members of a non-state armed group (NSAG) allegedly abducted the IDPs who had reportedly ventured beyond the safety of the trenches surrounding Ngala – from the ISS, Zulum, Kaigama, and Arabic IDP camps – in search of firewood. While an unspecified number of older women and children under 10 have reportedly been released, scores of IDPs remain unaccounted for, according to protection partners.
“I stand in solidarity with the families of all those abducted, especially children, and their communities and urge those who have abducted them to release them without harm.
“On behalf of the United Nations, I remind all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm.
“In addition, I urge authorities and other partners to provide more livelihood opportunities for IDPs in camps in Borno State, alongside ongoing efforts for lasting solutions, to reduce the risks of insecurity and violence faced by IDPs.”
He added that: “More than two million people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states have fled to garrison towns where they have few, if any, livelihood options. Those who venture beyond the protective trenches surrounding these towns to forage or farm do so at great peril, with killings, abductions, forced recruitment and sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) rampant.
“Two days to the commemoration of International Women’s Day, this incident is a stark reminder that women and girls are among those most affected by conflict.
“The crisis in the BAY states is disproportionately affecting women, boys and girls. There is a high prevalence of GBV against women and adolescent girls, while boys are targeted for recruitment by NSAGs.”
[3/6, 7:52 PM] Michael Olugbode: ECOWAS COURT HOLDS ORIENTATION PROGRAMME FOR NEW STAFF MEMBERS
The ECOWAS Court of Justice has commenced a two-day orientation programme for newly recruited staff members at the seat of the Court in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening of the orientation programme, Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama, Chief Registrar of the Court, charged the newly recruited staff members to quickly familiarise themselves with the structure, processes and functioning of the various departments of the Court. He urged the new staff members to take advantage of the programme and utilise the knowledge gained from the orientation for the effective discharge of their responsibilities.
Ouro-Sama advised the participants to respect the organisation’s hierarchy, rules and procedures, ethics, and to foster integrity, transparency, objectivity and team spirit across divisions and departments.
In a welcome address, Dr William Towah, Director of Administration and Finance who was represented by the Human Resource Officer, Mrs Mariame Kone enjoined the new staff members to uphold the ethics and diligently carry out their obligations.
The periodic orientation programme is organised by the Court as part of its integration process for new staff into the processes and procedures of the organisation.
Presentations will be delivered on various topics including the history of the Court, its vision, mandate and strategic goals, structure, legal texts as well as the judicial statistics of the Court. The new staff members will also be sensitized on the functions of departments and units of the Court including the Research and Documentation Department, the Department of Administration and Finance and the Protocol, ICT and Communication units of the Court. Representatives of the ECOWAS Pension Office and the ECOWAS Staff Mutual Credit Union will also take their turn on sensitising the new staff about savings and retirement plans.
Speakers at the programme include Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama, Chief Registrar, Dr Athanase Atannon, Deputy Chief Registrar, Dr Ousmane Diallo, Director of Research and Documentation, Heads of Divisions and Units, and staff from the Protocol, ICT and Communication units.