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After surviving Boko Haram invasion, Borno community residents trek to Cameroon daily for drinking water
Several months after surviving deadly Boko Haram attacks and returning to their homes, residents of Kirawa, a border community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, are grappling with another crisis: lack of access to potable water, forcing them to cross into neighbouring Cameroon daily to meet basic needs.
Kirawa, about 128 kilometres from Maiduguri, lies in Borno South and borders Cameroon’s Far North region. The town was attacked twice by Boko Haram in August and October 2025, leaving homes, public facilities and livelihoods destroyed, and displacing thousands of residents.
Although many residents have since returned following assurances of improved security and reconstruction, they say promises by the Borno State Government to provide water, healthcare facilities and roads are yet to be fulfilled.
During a visit to the community after the October 2 attack, in which two people were killed and dozens of houses destroyed, Governor Babagana Zulum pledged to mobilise security forces and approved the construction of hospitals, water facilities and other infrastructure. A statement by his spokesperson described the approvals as “immediate.”
Four months later, however, residents say access to water remains a daily struggle.
Investigations by Arewa PUNCH revealed that women and children, some as young as six, leave their homes as early as 5:30am and again in the evening to fetch water from a tap located just across the Nigerian border in Cameroon, using wheelbarrows and moving in groups for safety.
Hadiza Audu, a resident, described the ordeal as exhausting and humiliating. “Sometimes, people mock us and our government when we go there to fetch water,” she said.
Residents warned that the situation could worsen as schools resume, with children forced to combine long treks for water with school activities. A community member, Mustapha Ahmed, said even teachers face the same hardship, making it difficult to penalise pupils for lateness.
Another resident, Modu Aji, explained that while parts of Kirawa have limited water access, many areas do not. “For some places, it is easier to go to Cameroon than to look for water within Nigeria,” he said.
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Confirming the situation, Isah Lawan, son of the village head of Thala Malama in Kirawa, said fetching water from Cameroon had become routine. “We suffer a lot. Every day, we push wheelbarrows across the border just to get water. The promises of water and a hospital are yet to be fulfilled,” he said.
Lawan added that residents whose homes and shops were destroyed during the attacks were also still waiting for promised support. “We believe the governor will still redeem these promises. We are grateful for the peace, but we hope he will not forget us,” he said.
The ward head of Tashan Kirawa, Abubakar Alhaji, popularly known as Babikir, commended the government for restoring security through the deployment of troops and the Civilian Joint Task Force, noting that displaced residents had returned. However, he stressed that water and healthcare remained major concerns, especially after the community’s only health centre was burnt down during the attack.
A teacher at Kirawa UBE Junior Secondary School, Danladi Modu, also appealed for urgent government intervention. “The entire community is facing water challenges. We go as far as Cameroon to fetch water,” he said.
For many residents, the unfulfilled promises were central to their decision to return. Amina Hassan, a mother of two, said access to water should be treated as an emergency. “Security has improved, but what is life without water? How long will we continue crossing the border to fetch water?” she asked.
Efforts to reach the General Manager of the Borno State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Dr Mohammed Musa, were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not returned as of press time.
Meanwhile, residents say they are hopeful their community will benefit from the 2026 budget presented by Governor Zulum, which prioritises key sectors including water resources. The Ministry of Water Resources was allocated over N21 billion in the proposed budget.
“We hope Kirawa will be among the beneficiaries,” Amina Hassan said, echoing the community’s plea for relief from a daily struggle that has become a symbol of neglect despite their resilience.
Arewa Punch
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, mother of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy LoveWorld Nation fame, is dead.
Reports from Edo State say that she died at the age of 88 yesterday, Friday, September 25, 2026.
A local publication, Esan News Magazine, reported thus:
“An Iroko has fallen. A mother of nations is gone. Heaven has gained a saint.
According to information made available to Esan News Magazine by a prominent member of the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele, Ewu, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, the matriarch of the great Oyakhilome Clan, the beloved mother of our son Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, fondly called Big Mummy, has transited to glory.
September, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, humility and motherhood that touched generations across the world.
“Big Mummy was not just the mother of Pastor Chris. She was the mother of all. A virtuous woman, a prayer warrior, a woman of uncommon grace who raised children that have become global blessings and pride to Esan land.
“Idunwele Ewu is mourning. Ekagholo Family is mourning. Ewu Kingdom is mourning. Esanland is mourning. For we have lost an Okpokhuo, a true jewel of Esan motherhood.
“Her life was a testimony. She lived for God, she lived for family, she lived for humanity. Her laughter brought joy. Her prayers brought strength. Her counsel brought wisdom.
“On behalf of the management and staff of Esan News Magazine and the entire Esan Nation home and abroad, we extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to our dear elder brother, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the entire Oyakhilome Clan, the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele Ewu, and the Christ Embassy family worldwide.
“We mourn with you in this time of grief. We stand with you. We pray that the good Lord who called Mama home will grant you all the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
“May her gentle, beautiful and faithful soul rest in perfect peace. Rest on, Big Mummy. Rest on, beloved mother of Pastor Chris. Rest on, Iroko of Ewu.
“Adieu Mama!”
Meanwhile, a senior official of Christ Embassy who was contacted by News Express this Saturday afternoon neither confirmed nor denied the report.
He said: “I have heard the news, too, but it is not for me to confirm her death. I mean, she was aged 88.”
The official promised to make relevant contacts, adding: “I am sure that a statement would be issued if the news is true.”
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