Brief – Cattle ranchers in the Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State say their animals are getting sick, with some unable to even stand or walk, because of a desperate shortage of water.

They said only one of the two boreholes in the town was working. The lack of electricity and the high cost of diesel was a major problem because boreholes could not work without them.

Abatcha Kwayam said ranchers were scared of their livestock dying of thirst. They had even drawn up a roster so that ranchers would each get a turn at the borehole. Sometimes, Fulani herdsmen in the forest also went to the borehole to get water for their animals, putting more strain on the equipment.

He said if the government did not do something urgently people and animals could die of thirst.

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO