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After surviving Boko Haram invasion, Borno community residents trek to Cameroon daily for drinking water
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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
…Abbas pledge collaboration with opposition leaders to advance 10th Assembly’s legislative agenda
By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has formally announced the completion of the minority leadership structure in the 10th House following the nomination and endorsement of three lawmakers to fill vacant principal officer positions.
Speaking during plenary, Abbas informed members that the minority caucus had unanimously agreed on the appointments through a consensus arrangement.
According to the Speaker, the nomination was conveyed to the House in line with the decision of minority members of the 10th Assembly.
He said: “The election of the House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the minority members of the 10th Assembly hereby unanimously nominate the following members by consensus to fill the vacant positions of the minority in the parliament.”
Announcing the appointments, Abbas stated: “Number one, Minority Leader, Rt. Honourable Frederick Abedi PhD. Number two is the position of Minority Whip, and the person they have endorsed is no other than Honourable Monsur Soro.
He added: “The last but not the least is my brother from the northwest, in person of Rt. Honourable Abdusamadu Dasuki, the position of Deputy Minority Leader.”
Following the announcement, the Speaker congratulated the newly appointed principal officers and expressed confidence in their ability to contribute meaningfully to the work of the House.
He also assured the new opposition leaders of the support of the House leadership as they assume their responsibilities.
“So honourable colleagues, today the body of principal officers is complete, and I want to seize this opportunity on behalf of the whole entire house to congratulate the three people and to wish them all the best in their new positions.
“And let them be assured that the leadership of the house will work with them assiduously in ensuring that we achieve our legislative agenda objectives of this very important 10th Assembly,” Abbas said.
The Speaker wished members well and prayed for continued success in the work of the legislature.
“May God bless you all”, he concluded.
Finally the first set of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa has arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos following renewed xenophobic attacks in the country.
The Air Peace flight carrying the returnees arrived at the airport around 10:25 am on Thursday.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, among others, was on hand to welcome the 258 evacuees who were escorted by officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, led by the Acting High Commissioner, Temitope Ajayi.
Addressing the returnees, Enikanolaiye said Nigeria will not stand idly by while its citizens are subjected to attacks and harassment wherever they may be in the world; hence, the swift and necessary action to bring them home.
In a statement following their arrival, the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, quoted Enikanolaiye as commending the excellent coordination of the process by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria.
He urged Nigerians in South Africa to remain law-abiding and vigilant and to report any threats to the Nigerian Mission. The minister said that the Federal Government remains fully engaged with the South African authorities at the highest levels to ensure the protection of Nigerian nationals and to address the root causes of these incidents.
The minister conveyed the heartfelt greetings and assurances of President Bola Tinubu to the returning nationals.
“No Nigerian should live in fear simply because of their nationality. The evacuation does not signal defeat; it underscores the proactive and citizen-centred foreign policy of the Tinubu administration,” the statement read in part. “More flights carrying returnees are expected to arrive in the country in the coming days as the evacuation exercise continues.”
The returning nationals are undergoing the process of documentation, profiling, and necessary medical checks and will be provided with temporary accommodation before being reunited with their families, the ministry said.
Anti-foreigner violence has convulsed South Africa for weeks as gangs armed with sticks, whips, and shields have marched through parts of the “rainbow nation”, demanding that people with no residency papers leave by June 30.
Foreign nationals have reported being intimidated and beaten by mobs going door to door, families have been forced from their homes, and many have left in the face of the threats.
Ghana, Mozambique, and Malawi have already repatriated hundreds of their citizens in recent weeks.
South Africa is Africa’s largest economy and hosts more than three million foreigners, just over five per cent of its population, according to the country’s statistics agency.
…Enikanolaiye says rescue mission reflects Tinubu’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad
By Gloria Ikibah
The first batch of 258 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks has arrived safely in the country, with the Federal Government describing the operation as a clear demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians wherever they reside.
The returnees landed at the International Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday morning aboard a special Air Peace flight arranged and fully funded by the Federal Government.
The evacuees, who were accompanied by officials of the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria led by Acting High Commissioner, Ambassador Temitope Alexander Ajayi, were received on behalf of the Federal Government by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
Addressing the returnees, Enikanolaiye conveyed President Tinubu’s message of solidarity and reassurance, stressing that the safety and dignity of Nigerians abroad remain a top priority for the administration.
He said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria will not stand idly by while our citizens are subjected to attacks and harassment, wherever they may be in the world, hence the swift and necessary action to bring our people home.”
The minister noted that the evacuation exercise was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa and several government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Ministry of Aviation, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Immigration Service and security agencies.
According to the ministry, the operation underscores the government’s determination to protect Nigerians from violence, discrimination and intimidation abroad.
The statement stressed that the evacuation should not be interpreted as a retreat but rather as a proactive intervention aimed at safeguarding citizens caught in a difficult situation.
“No Nigerian should live in fear simply because of their nationality. The evacuation does not signal defeat; it underscores the proactive and citizen-centred foreign policy of the Tinubu administration,” he added.
Enikanolaiye also commended the Nigerian Mission in Pretoria for its role in ensuring the successful evacuation of the affected citizens.
The minister disclosed that Nigeria remains in active diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to address the situation and ensure the safety of Nigerians still residing in the country.
“I commend the excellent coordination of the process by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria and urge all Nigerians in South Africa to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and to report any threats to the Nigerian Mission.
“The Federal Government remains fully engaged with the South African authorities at the highest levels to ensure the protection of Nigerian nationals and to address the root causes of these unfortunate incidents”, he stated.
The returnees are currently undergoing documentation, profiling and medical screening, after which they will receive temporary accommodation and other forms of assistance before being reunited with their families.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said additional evacuation flights are expected in the coming days as efforts continue to bring home Nigerians affected by the attacks.
The ministry also appealed for calm while diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis are intensified.
The latest evacuation follows renewed concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have periodically faced attacks, harassment and threats in recent years.
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Xenophobic attacks: Nigerians Evacuated From South Africa In First Batch Return Home
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