The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning regarding an escalating hunger crisis affecting millions in West and Central Africa. The region is grappling with unprecedented levels of food insecurity driven by conflict, displacement, economic challenges, and extreme weather events.

Recent analyses indicate that approximately 36 million people are currently unable to secure their basic food needs, a figure expected to exceed 52 million during the critical lean season from June to August. Among those affected, nearly three million individuals are experiencing emergency conditions, with 2,600 individuals in Mali facing the threat of catastrophic hunger.

Despite the alarming rise in food insecurity, resources remain critically limited, placing millions at risk. Margot van der Velden, Regional Director for West and Central Africa, emphasized, “Without immediate funding, WFP will be compelled to further reduce both the number of individuals assisted and the size of food rations provided.”

In comparison to 2019, when only four percent of the population faced food insecurity, the current figure has surged to 30 percent, according to Ollo Sib, a senior research adviser at WFP. He expressed hope that the urgency of the situation in the Sahel would capture the attention it deserves during a press conference in Geneva from Dakar.

Sib recently visited some of the hardest-hit areas, including northern Ghana, where communities are dealing with severe drought conditions. “They have had to replant two to three times, and each failed sowing exacerbates their financial strain due to the high costs of fertilizers and seeds,” he noted.

The assessment team also traveled to northern Mali, the only region where catastrophic food security conditions are reported. Sib recounted conversations with pastoralist elders who typically sell livestock to purchase cereals but are now facing a 50 percent increase in food prices compared to the five-year average, all while struggling to access markets.

WFP highlighted that ongoing conflict is a key driver of the worsening hunger situation in West and Central Africa. More than 10 million vulnerable individuals have been displaced due to violence, including over two million refugees and asylum seekers in Chad, Cameroon, Mauritania, and Niger, with an additional eight million internally displaced, particularly in Nigeria and Cameroon.

Rising food and fuel costs have compounded the problem, leading to soaring levels of hunger. Furthermore, recurrent extreme weather events continue to undermine families’ ability to provide for themselves.

WFP is prepared to enhance its response and vital assistance efforts in West Africa and the Sahel, seeking $710 million to support life-saving operations until the end of October. Their goal is to assist nearly 12 million individuals this year, with three million already reached, including refugees, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable children and women.

However, the agency warns that five million people are at risk of losing access to assistance unless urgent funding is secured. WFP has also urged governments and partners to invest in sustainable solutions that strengthen resilience and reduce long-term reliance on aid.

Since 2018, WFP has collaborated with regional governments to tackle the root causes of hunger, successfully rehabilitating over 300,000 hectares of land to benefit more than four million people across 3,400 villages. (NAN)

Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, announced that the federal government successfully prosecuted and convicted 226 terrorism suspects in December 2024.

Fagbemi attributed this success to intentional efforts aimed at enhancing the criminal justice system in Nigeria.

During a special engagement session on Thursday, he provided updates to Nigerians and stakeholders on the achievements of the Federal Ministry of Justice and its agencies in advancing the criminal justice administration from October 2024 to the present.

He highlighted significant improvements in the prosecution of crimes under the Ministry’s jurisdiction. “Between December 9 and 13, 2024, we effectively conducted 237 terrorism cases, resulting in the successful prosecution and conviction of 226 suspects,” Fagbemi stated.

He emphasized that these accomplishments stemmed from existing policies and actions focused on bolstering the capabilities of prosecutors, fostering collaboration among prosecuting agencies, and developing suitable policy frameworks in partnership with the National Security Adviser and other law enforcement bodies.

The Minister also noted other achievements, including the formation of a Joint Case Team (JCT) dedicated to addressing cybercrime.

Additionally, he mentioned that the federal government is currently reviewing the Cyber Crime Legal Framework to strengthen national regulations in line with emerging trends and global best practices.

On another front, the Minister reported progress in enhancing protections for victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) through awareness campaigns and improved access to justice. “During this reporting period, we secured six convictions for SGBV offences, including the case of Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu,” he stated.

Fagbemi further highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to developing a child-sensitive justice system that addresses the needs of children involved with the law, whether as victims, witnesses, or offenders. Efforts continue towards enacting laws against child recruitment and implementing safeguards for child offenders.

In the realm of anti-corruption and asset recovery, the Minister revealed that Nigeria signed an Asset Sharing Agreement with the United States on January 10, 2025, leading to the repatriation of assets worth $52,882,018.95. Of this amount, $50 million will fund the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) Project, designed to provide electricity access to 17.5 million Nigerians, while the remaining $2.88 million will enhance counter-terrorism capacity building for practitioners in the criminal justice sector.

Fagbemi mentioned ongoing negotiations for additional recoveries in foreign jurisdictions, including the U.S., Bailiwick of Jersey, and France, expressing hope for a swift conclusion to repatriate more funds to Nigeria.

Regarding legal aid, he disclosed that the government is enhancing access to justice through the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, which provides free legal services to low-income citizens in both criminal and civil matters. The Council managed 2,790 criminal cases and 1,021 civil matters, with 482 resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.

The Council also conducted 760 visits to correctional facilities nationwide to review inmate cases and provided assistance to 637 suspects during police interviews and bail processes under its Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS).

Moreover, the Council engaged in media outreach and community sensitization campaigns on citizens’ rights and access to the criminal justice system, collaborating with traditional leaders, religious figures, and community organizations. A total of 370 sensitization campaigns were conducted during this reporting period.

By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

At least 12 local government areas in Kaduna State have reportedly been sidelined in the multi-million-dollar Urban Renewal Programme initiated by the immediate past administration of Nasir El-Rufai, despite ongoing repayments of a $350m World Bank loan secured for the project.

Stakeholders across the state have raised alarm over the alleged lopsided implementation of the infrastructural programme, with several communities in Southern and Central Kaduna lamenting neglect and abandonment.

Field investigations by Our Correspondent revealed that not a single kilometre of road has been completed in LGAs such as Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Ikara, Jaba, Kagarko, Kajuru, Kauru, Kudan, Makarfi, Sanga, Soba, and Zangon Kataf—some of the poorest and most underserved areas in the state.

Sources within the affected communities alleged that while construction flag-offs were conducted with fanfare, the projects never progressed beyond groundbreaking stages. In many instances, equipment was abandoned and contractors demobilised shortly after the ceremonies.

Transparency advocates and civil society organisations have described the situation as a gross injustice. Comrade Phelimon Andrew, a Zango-Kataf-based activist, called for a legislative probe into the programme.

“We can’t keep taking loans for political PR. The communities have a right to know where every dollar went,” Andrew said.

The World Bank facility, secured under the El-Rufai administration, was intended to fund the Urban Renewal Programme—a signature initiative aimed at modernising infrastructure across the state. However, critics say the implementation has been anything but inclusive.

Residents expressed frustration over deteriorating road conditions and failed promises. Musa Yakubu, a commercial motorcyclist in Sabo Tasha, said the abandoned roadworks have made commuting both costly and hazardous.

“This road was supposed to be completed under El-Rufai’s administration. Now it’s just a dust trap in dry season and a muddy mess when it rains,” he lamented.

Similarly, Gimbiya Musa, who runs a shop near the stalled Television Garage–Sabo Tasha bridge, said her business has suffered a 50 per cent decline in sales due to low customer traffic.

In Zitti village, Zango Kataf LGA, residents reported that children now play on half-graded roads while open drains attract refuse dumps.

“It’s a constant reminder of a broken promise,” said Ezekiel Haruna, a community leader.

A school teacher in Kafanchan, Fatima Bello, added: “El-Rufai gave us hope that Kaduna would be transformed. What we got were potholes, dust storms and traffic chaos.”

Garba Habibu from Birnin Gwari, one of the hardest-hit LGAs, called on Governor Uba Sani to probe the previous administration.

“This administration must tell us the truth about what happened to the $350m World Bank loan. We deserve answers,” he said.

An insider within the state Ministry of Works, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that about 76 per cent of the projects were concentrated in Kaduna North Senatorial District, leaving Southern and Central zones with abandoned sites.

A youth leader in Kaura also criticised the unequal spread of development.

“How can we keep paying back a loan and have nothing to show for it?” he asked, citing the stalled Yarbwan–Kafanchan road as an example.

In Birnin Gwari, plagued by insecurity and poor road access, residents said the failed projects have compounded their suffering. Government insiders confirmed to PUNCH that many of the affected LGAs never saw project completion or even contractor mobilisation.

“Everything was about media visibility and urban optics,” one source within the Kaduna Government House said.

Community leaders are now demanding urgent attention and equity in infrastructural development, warning that continued marginalisation may breed discontent.

Efforts to reach the Kaduna State Ministry of Works for official comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to key officials were not returned at press time.