17 August 2009
The Nigerian Red Cross Society says more than 1,264 children were orphaned by last month's Boko Haram sectarian crisis in Maiduguri.

Alhaji Bullam Gubio the Borno chairman of the organisation, disclosed this yesterday in Maiduguri in an interview with newsmen.

"We currently have more than 1,264 children orphaned by the crisis under our care as at the last count", he said. Gubio said more than 392 women who lost their husbands during the crisis were also receiving assistance from the organisation, adding that more than 48 households rendered homeless after the crisis in the town.

Gubio said the immediate task facing the Red Cross was how to provide for the primary needs and rehabilitate the homeless. He said that Alhaji Shettima Monguno an elderly statesman in the state, had provided materials worth more than N2 million for the rehabilitation of the victims. "Monguno had provided N2 million worth of relief materials for the victims. He has also offered to sponsor 50 secondary school students among the victims", he said. (NAN)

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