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Health and Safety

COVID-19: Kano chases Lagos as 193 new cases shoot total infections to 5,162

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COVID-19: Nigeria records 4 more deaths, 379 new infections

…As NMA decries members’ harassment over curfew, urges PTF intervention***

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Thursday recorded 193 new cases of the coronavirus, thus bringing the total number of infections in the country to 5,162.

The NCDC also confirmed three new deaths, bringing the total death toll in the country to 167.

The agency added that 193 new cases were confirmed in 15 states with six deaths recorded in the country as of May 14.

According to NCDC, no new state has reported a case in the last 24 hours.

The agency said that till date, 5,162 cases have been confirmed, with 3,815 of them being Active Cases,

1,180 patients have been discharged and 167 deaths have been recorded in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“The 193 new cases are reported from 15 states, namely: Lagos (58), Kano (46), Jigawa (35), Yobe (12), FCT (9), Ogun (7), Plateau (5), Gombe (5), Imo (4), Edo (3), Kwara (3), Borno (3), Bauchi (1), Nasarawa (1), and Ondo (1).

The agency said that two cases reported on Wednesday from Kaduna state, were repeat tests and therefore, Kaduna had a total of 114 confirmed cases.

“We apologise to the Kaduna state government and we remain committed to ensuring the release of accurate and reliable data.

It was reported that NCDC received additional medical supplies including personal protective equipment, provided by the United Nation Development Programme and from the Congressional Executives Commission on China to support Nigeria’s response to the pandemic.

One of the key strategies of Nigeria’s response is to ensure that frontline health workers are protected.

The agency said it was re-thinking its response to the coronavirus from mitigating its impact to an increasingly science-led process with a view to understanding its drivers in the country.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), FCT chapter, has called on the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and heads of security agencies to intervene in alleged harassment of its members by security personnel enforcing the imposed curfew in the territory.

The Chairman of the chapter, Dr Philips Ekpe, made the call in Abuja while donating home-made Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to frontline health workers in FCT.

Ekpe decried the harassment of NMA members in spite of the exemption of essential workers by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 .

He said that the health workers in the territory would have no option but to embark on strike if the harassment continued

Ekpe said it would be difficult for health workers to continue rendering their services if the harassment was not addressed.

“There is incessant harassment of health workers in FCT even when they show their identification cards.

“The healthcare workers are front liners in this war against COVID-19.

“They should be encouraged rather than being harassed.

Also read:  COVID-19: Nigeria’s 184 new cases shoot total infections to 4971, deaths 164

“These cases have been discussed with the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Security in FCT.

“We have told them that if they cannot protect the healthcare workers, we have no choice than to sit at home and let the system run itself,” Ekpe said.

He also appealed to the Federal Government to ensure prompt payment of COVID-19 incentives and health insurance benefits to health workers.

It was reported that the items donated included 1,600 face mask, 1,600 hand sanitisers, and 1,600 face shields.

Ekpe said that the items were donated to complement the efforts of the Federal Government and other philanthropists aimed at protecting the health workers in the course of their service to the country amid the pandemic.

”Nigeria and FCT are advocating the use of face masks.

“In many hospitals, companies, and market places the enforcement agencies are making sure everyone wears a face mask.

“People that are mostly at risk are the healthcare workers.

“It is on this note we decided to complement what the government and other philanthropists are doing,” Ekpe said.

In his reaction, the National Coordinator of the Task Force, Sani Aliyu, pledged to discuss with the heads of security agencies to ensure the safety and free passage of all essential workers, including health workers.

“Essential workers need to be allowed free movement according to the PTF guidelines,” Aliyu said

 

Health and Safety

NDLEA nabs male passenger carrying 4,000 tramadol pills in MMIA

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NDLEA nabs male passenger carrying 4,000 tramadol pills in MMIA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a male passenger carrying 4,000 tramadol pills at the Muhammad Murtala International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos

This is contained in a statement by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that NDLEA officers at the gate ‘C ‘departure hall of the Lagos airport on Friday foiled the suspect’s attempt to export the pills to Malpensa, Italy on an Ethiopian Airline flight.

He said that the psychoactive substance was found concealed in women’s wear and granulated melon packed in the suspect’s backpack and another bag containing food items.

“In his statement, the suspect who is a frequent flyer confessed he was hired for 700 Euros on successful delivery of the consignment in Italy, “ he said.

Meanwhile, In Bayelsa, NDLEA operatives on  April 24 arrested a 28-year-old woman in Amarata area of Yenagoa.

Babafemi said that she was arrested for producing and distributing cakes laced with illicit drugs especially cannabis sativa.

According to him, at the time of her arrest, a substantial number of the drugged cakes weighing 1.5kg were recovered from her.

Also, A 20-year-old hair stylist, and a dispatch rider, were arrested on March 10 by NDLEA operatives in Yenagoa for a similar offence.

Illicit drugs intercepted by the NDLEA operatives

In the same vein and were arrested with 24,180 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 135.5 kilograms at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna.

Babafemi said that a teenager was also nabbed with 20.700kg of cannabis when his house in Shuware area of Mubi, Adamawa state was raided on April 26.

In another development, No less than 310.7kg of cannabis was recovered on April 25 when NDLEA operatives raided parts of Mushin in Lagos state.

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Health and Safety

19 Burnt To Death In Kogi Auto Crash – FRSC

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19 Burnt To Death In Kogi Auto Crash – FRSC

The Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu stated in Abuja that the crash involved a Dangote Cement truck and a Toyota Hiace bus.

He stated that it took operatives of the FRSC, battling through the accompanying inferno, three hours to rescue two surviving victims of the crash.

Agwu added that the Toyota bus was travelling from Kano and was on its lane when the Dangote truck driver travelling from Port Harcourt wrongfully overtook a vehicle and collided head-on with the bus.

“The impact of the collision resulted in an inferno that burnt the victims to death.

“The crash, which was caused by route violation and wrongful overtaking, involved 22 persons, all male.

“Unfortunately, 19 persons out of the 22 victims were killed, while one was injured.

“The two victims who got rescued by FRSC operatives survived without injuries because they complied with traffic regulations on the compulsory use of seatbelts.

“Corpses retrieved from the crash were deposited at Okene General Hospital,’’ Agwu stated.

FRSC rescue team at the crash scene

Agwu assured that the driver of the Dangote truck would be prosecuted following directives earlier issued by the Corps Marshal, Alhaji Dauda Ali-Biu.

Ali-Biu had in the past called on the judiciary, the leadership of transport unions and other relevant stakeholders to join hands with the FRSC to restore sanity to Nigerian roads through speedy and effective prosecution. 

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Health and Safety

Troops Neutralise 192 Terrorists, Apprehend 341 Others In 1 Week – DHQ

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Troops Neutralise 192 Terrorists, Apprehend 341 Others In 1 Week – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters says troops have in the last one week neutralised 192 terrorists, apprehended 341 others and rescued 62 kidnapped hostages.

It also said a total of 122 ISWAP/JAS terrorists surrendered with their families.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba said this at a news briefing on operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the troops also recovered 211 assorted weapons and 6,288 assorted ammunition within the week.

He said the recovered items comprised 128 AK.47 rifles, 26 Dane guns, 1,301 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3,260 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,325 live cartridges, and 140 rounds of 9mm ammunition among other items.

In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 71 terrorists, arrested 143 suspects and rescued 58  kidnapped hostages during the week.

He added that the air component conducted air strikes on ISWAP/JAS terrorists’ hideouts and logistics hub, including their food processing unit in Kolleram village, along Lake Chad.

According to him, the Battle Damage Assessment revealed that over 30 terrorists, including senior commanders; Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah and Mallam Ari, were neutralised as well as their logistics were destroyed as a result of the strike.

In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised 29 insurgents, arrested 53 violent extremists and rescued eight kidnapped hostages.

In the North West, he said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 62 terrorists, arrested 49 terrorists and rescued 36 kidnapped hostages.

He added that troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 14 criminals and recovered cache of arms and ammunition as well as military accoutrements.

According to him, other items recovered are 620 parcels of substances suspected to be marijuana, 10 Yoruba Nation flags, eight mobile phones, and four handheld radios, among other items.

In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe had maintained momentum against activities of crude oil theft and recovered 792,660 litres of stolen crude oil and 117,070 litres of illegally refined AGO.

He added that troops discovered and destroyed 31 illegal refining sites with 99 dugout pits, 11 boats, 29 storage tanks, 192 cooking ovens and nine vehicles.

According to him, troops apprehended 27 suspected oil thieves and other violent extremists, recovering five weapons and 162 assorted ammunition.

In the South-East, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation UDOKA neutralised nine terrorists, arrested 11 violent extremists, rescued 17 kidnapped hostages and recovered weapons. 

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