SR SahelReporters

It is an uncomfortable sight, but one that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Along some roadsides, behind buildings, in bushes, drainage channels and around poorly maintained public toilets, used sanitary pads are sometimes discarded in the open. In some communities, they are mixed with household refuse; in others, they are flushed down toilets, buried, burnt or simply thrown into the nearest available dumping area. The immediate reaction is often to blame women and girls for indiscriminate disposal. But a closer look reveals a more complicated story. Why are used sanitary pads ending up in public spaces? Are women deliberately ignoring proper waste-disposal practices, or are many communities failing to provide the facilities needed for safe  menstrual-waste management? And what happens to a girl who changes her pad at school when there is no covered bin in the toilet? These questions expose a largely overlooked side of Nigeria's sanitation probl...

Every year, when the United Nations Climate Change Conference opens its doors, Nigeria joins nearly 200 countries in sending ministers, government officials, environmental experts, civil society organisations, researchers, business representatives and climate advocates to the global climate negotiations. They arrive with speeches, policy documents, demands for climate finance and promises of stronger action. Photographs are taken. Meetings are held. Side events fill conference halls.  Nigeria presents its priorities and joins negotiations over finance, adaptation, mitigation, technology and the future of the global response to climate change. Then the delegates return home. And for many Nigerians living on the front line of climate change, the question begins: What has actually changed? It is a question that becomes harder to ignore as communities continue to experience flooding, extreme heat, drought, erosion, deforestation and pressure on water and agricultural resour...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal refining in the Niger Delta, dismantling two illegal refining sites and recovering about 85,300 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil in Rivers State. The operation, carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL in the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni area of Rivers State, resulted in the discovery and deactivation of two illegal refining sites linked to ongoing crude oil theft activities. According to a statement signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho said personnel uncovered approximately 85,300 litres of suspected stolen crude oil concealed in dugout pits and reservoirs during the operation. The latest development comes only days after security operatives uncovered and deactivated similar illegal refining facilities within the same area, indicating continued efforts by oil thieves to revive illicit operations despite intensified security measures....

After more than 200 lives were lost in the 2025 flood, fresh waters have returned to parts of Mokwa. For residents still waiting to rebuild their lives, the new flooding has revived an old question:  what happened to the promises made after the last disaster? MOKWA, Niger State - When the rain began again in Mokwa on Wednesday night, September 30, 2026, the sound of water was not simply the sound of another downpour. For many residents, it was a reminder. A reminder of May 29, 2025, when floodwater swept through parts of the ancient town, destroying homes, businesses, farmland, roads and bridges and leaving hundreds of families displaced. Sixteen months later, residents are once again watching floodwater cover parts of the town. Sections of Rabba Road were submerged following heavy rainfall, leaving motorists and residents struggling to move through affected areas. Residents have expressed fresh fears that continued rainfall could worsen the situation. For a community t...

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja The Cross River State Police Command has foiled an attempt by a mob to lynch a man accused of stealing mobile phones in Calabar. The incident occurred around Harbour Junction, Calabar, on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, following a distress call received by the police at about 8:30 a.m. According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, a police patrol team was immediately dispatched to the scene, where officers found a man identified as Chukwu Ebuka being attacked by an angry mob. The officers intervened, rescued Ebuka and evacuated him to an undisclosed medical facility, where he is currently receiving treatment for multiple injuries sustained during the attack. The police also arrested a 56-year-old man identified as Azubike Micheal for allegedly instigating the mob and encouraging others to attack Ebuka. The Command said Micheal is currently in police custody as investi...

By Aviashima Toom, abuja The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the schedule for the physical screening and documentation exercise for successful candidates shortlisted for recruitment into the Service. The exercise will take place at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, Abuja. In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, the NCS directed all shortlisted candidates to appear at the screening venue with the original and photocopies of the required documents. The documents include the National Identification Number (NIN), original Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age, and educational certificates, including O'Level, ND, HND, Degree and other applicable qualifications. Candidates are also required to present a Certificate of State of Origin, two recent passport photographs, a comple...

By Aviashima Toom, abuja The Cross River State Police Command has pledged to strengthen security collaboration with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to safeguard medical personnel, healthcare facilities and patients across the state. The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, psc, mnips, mspsp, made the commitment on Monday, August 31, 2026, when he received the leadership of the NMA, Cross River State Chapter, led by its Chairman, Dr. Pius Unimke Agweye, during a strategic engagement at the Command headquarters. The meeting focused on strengthening communication, intelligence-sharing and coordinated responses to security challenges affecting healthcare workers and medical facilities across the state. CP Ajo Geoffrey stressed that the safety of medical personnel is an important component of community security, noting that healthcare workers provide essential services and should be able to carry out their responsibilities in a safe an...