• Idris B. Garba
• Mohammed Musa Lawan

Abstract: This research work assessed the level of contamination of water and agricultural soil with some residual toxic chemicals that might have been used during the act of insurgency/counter insurgency in Yobe state. The research employed the use of Gas chromatography, Atomic absorption spectrophotometer and other analytical equipment to investigate the level of contamination with a view to ensure safety of the returnees. The analysis results revealed an average concentration of lead as 20.202 mg/kg in soil and 0.818 mg/L in water; the highest concentration of 75.58 mg/kg in soil was found around Goniri town followed by Wagir with 55.036 mg/kg and lowest concentration of 1.844 mg/kg at Kukareta village. Arsenic concentration of 5.82 mg/kg in soil was found around Goniri town and lowest concentration of 0.652 mg/kg at Kukareta village both of which were within the set limit in agricultural soil. Cadmium concentrations were also high than WHO limit in some areas with 7.257 mg/kg, 7.214 mg/kg and 5.772 mg/kg in soils around Goniri, kukuwa and Gotala towns respectively. Concentrations of Nickel were 5.843 mg/kg and 1.153 mg/L were respectively in soil and water around Gotala village and totally absent in some communities such as Pompomari and Ajari. Copper had a concentration of 36.57 mg/kg followed by 22.257 mg/kg were respectively in soil around Gotala and Kukuwa villages; and then 2.28 and 1.399 respectively in water from same location. The values obtained in this research work indicated a high concentration of copper in both water and soil above permissible limit of 1.0 mg/L and 36 mg/kg respectively in some affected communities. GCMS analysis indicated the presence of chlooacetophenone in soil sample obtained from Buni gari, a village. These research findings revealed the presence residual toxic chemicals and heavy metals that might have been used as weapons during the act of insurgency by Boko haram insurgents and counter insurgency activities by the Nigerian Forces. The residual heavy metals were found to be present in the soil and water in some of the affected communities; and at significant quantity that may be hazardous to health.

Residual Chemical Warfare agents (CWAs), Heavy Metals, Agricultural soil, ground water, Boko haram, Insurgency, Yobe State

"ASSESSMENT OF RESIDUAL CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS (CWAs) AND HEAVY METALS IN AGRICULTURAL SOIL, GRAZING LAND AND GROUND WATER IN SOME COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY INSURGENCY IN YOBE STATE, NIGERIA", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 4, page no.e498-e506, April-2022, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2204466.pdf

"ASSESSMENT OF RESIDUAL CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS (CWAs) AND HEAVY METALS IN AGRICULTURAL SOIL, GRAZING LAND AND GROUND WATER IN SOME COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY INSURGENCY IN YOBE STATE, NIGERIA", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 4, page no. ppe498-e506, April-2022, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2204466.pdf