FAO Communication Officer, David Tsokar, said this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.

According to Tsokar, the United Nations food security and nutrition analysis conducted in 20 states in October show that insecurity and COVID-19 have forced 12 million Nigerians into hunger.

He said that about 19 per cent of affected households are in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States because of the ongoing insecurity in the northeast and the lingering economic impact of COVID-19.

“The analysis, known as the Cadre Harmonise conducted in 20 states and the FCT revealed that approximately 12.1 million people are expected to face food scarcity through December,’’ Tsokar said.

He said that the provisional result of the report showed that the number of people in critical or worse phases of food insecurity might increase to about 16.9 million.

Tsokar said this would be the case unless efforts were made to scale up and sustain humanitarian aid.

The states analysed in the current Cadre Harmonise include Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Edo, and Enugu.

Others were Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Lagos, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and FCT.

He said that the analysis estimates showed that Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states were the most affected by the prolonged armed conflicts.

In these states, 2.4 million people are currently facing hunger and needed urgent assistance.

Tsokar said that an estimated two million people in the emergence phase even with humanitarian aid were facing extreme food deficits, resulting in a very high acute malnutrition or excessive mortality.

He said this number was projected to increase to 3.5 million at the peak of the 2022 lean season between June and August.

Tsokar said at this time, the number of people anticipated to be in the emergency phase
would double to 4.6 million.

He said another 13.6 million people were anticipated to experience catastrophe-like conditions in some of the most inaccessible localities.

The President gave this to the Joint Task Force at Maimalari Cantonment parade ground in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital during his official visit.

He said Nigeria “owes a debt of gratitude” to military men and women, and security agencies currently tackling insecurity in the country, especially those who paid the supreme price.

He also assured family members of deceased personnel that his regime will continue to support their loved ones.

Buhari said: “I am delighted to be with you this afternoon, to address you on this special occasion of my official visit to Borno State.

“I want to seize this opportunity to put it on record that our nation will forever be indebted to you, for your patriotic commitment to the defence of our fatherland against insurgency and criminality.

“I, therefore, commend you and remember all the personnel who have paid the supreme sacrifice in ensuring that Nigeria remains an indivisible and secure entity.”

“We should not allow our adversaries or criminal elements to undermine our sovereignty.”

“While I commend you, let me tell you that there is still a lot of work to be done in the North East, West and entire country.”

The order comes 24 hours after insurgents believed to be members of Boko Haram hoisted their flag in parts of Marte local government in Borno State, according to military sources

Attahiru gave the order in Dikwa Local Government, the headquarters of the Super Camp 9 Operation Lafiya Dole.

He said: “In the last few days we have had attacks in your Area of Responsibility: it is now high time we get back and fight through and support our forces ahead of you. Areas around Marte, Chukungudu, Krenoa and Kirta Wulgo must be cleared in the next 48 hours.

“You can rest assured of all the support required in this very onerous task. I have just spoken to your Theatre Commander, General Officer Commanding, you cannot let this nation down. Go there and do the needful and I will be right behind you. Ensure you do your job, and do your job well.

“They have presented certain issues that came up, sooner rather than later we would address; where there are no adequate A and B vehicles we would provide with these few remarks. I wish you well on the operation and I know the morale is high.”

The monarch who paid a Sallah homage to the governor at the Government House in Maiduguri averred that if the convoy of the chief security officer of the state could be attacked, then no one is safe in the state.

Elkanemi said “Your Excellency, we are not happy about what happened in Baga, it is very unfortunate and a great pity. If the convoy of the whole chief security officer of the state will be attacked, then wallahi, nobody is safe, because he is the number one citizen of the state. If the convoy of such a highly placed person in the state will be attacked, I repeat, nobody is safe. The matter is getting worse, I urge everyone to raise  our hands to seek Allah’s intervention.”

Governor Umara Zulum made the announcement in a statewide broadcast and he said it will take off from 10:30pm on Wednesday, 22nd of April, 2020.

Zulum said “In the exercise of the powers conferred on me, I have signed an executive order, declaring Covid-19 a dangerous disease. For this, I am hereby directing a lockdown that will require cessation of all movements in Borno State for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 10:30pm on Wednesday, 22nd of April, 2020. All citizens in Borno State are to stay in their homes. This means all public gatherings are restricted while offices and businesses in Borno State are to be fully closed during this period. Security and intelligence agencies have been briefed for enforcement. Government will use this period of restriction to accelerate the tracing and isolation of persons who have been in contact with the index case.”

He also advised them to cultivate the habit of retiring for the night by 6:00 p.m.

The NYSC Director General’s gave this warning on Sunday when he paid an unannounced visit to corps members deployed to Katsina and Borno States who are currently undergoing their orientation programmes in Katsina State.

General Ibrahim Sunday visit was the second he would make to Katsina within a week as he was earlier in the town last Tuesday following the death of three corps members serving in the state in a ghastly road accident.

The Spokesman for the NYSC in Katsina, Alex Oboameta quoted the DG to have said “The NYSC will never pay ransom if any corps member is kidnapped. Corps Members are therefore advised to secure themselves as much as possible to avoid being kidnapped.”

Oboameta, in a statement on the NYSC DG’s visit, added that General Ibrahim addressed the corps members in Katsina Camp where he urged them to be focused and be law-abiding.