The Niger State government has inaugurated a security advisory team to provide safety and intelligence support during the integrated insecticide-treated nets (ITN) and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) campaign across the state.

Abdullahi Imam, permanent secretary, Niger State Ministry of Health, said in Minna on Monday that the team was established to ensure the smooth distribution of 3.2 million insecticide-treated nets to the 274 wards of the state.

He explained that the move became necessary due to security challenges in certain parts of the state and the need to ensure the safety of personnel and the large consignment of nets and malaria drugs being transported.

“The security of the items and personnel is paramount. We have inaugurated this team to advise us quickly if there are challenges and to ensure that movement is done safely without any security issues,” he said.

He commended security agencies for their commitment and assured them of the state government’s full support throughout the campaign.

In her goodwill message, Deborah Sesugh, the social and behavioural change advisor, Society for Family Health (SFH), appreciated the support of security agencies.

She called for continued collaboration to safeguard health workers and commodities across the 25 local government areas of the state.

Omo-Eboh Mamudu, assistant director at the Federal Ministry of Health, said the ministry’s presence in the state was to confirm and affirm the level of preparedness and acceptance of the ITN and SMC exercise.

Also speaking, Ayuba Apagu, state programme manager, Malaria Consortium, expressed optimism that the distribution would significantly reduce malaria cases among children and women in the state.

Abasehua Olugbenro, security adviser with SFH, said the team’s terms of reference include providing daily security updates, escorting consignments, responding to emergencies, and prosecuting anyone found with stolen nets.

The integrated ITN and SMC campaign is being implemented by the Niger government in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP).

Other implementing partners were Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Malaria Consortium (MC), and the Society for Family Health (SFH).

(NAN)