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COVID-19: NCDC announces 152 new infections, 2 new deaths in Nigeria

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Another 34 COVID-19 cases recorded ahead of Beijing Winter Olympics

…As U.S. reports 131,000 COVID-19 infections, highest daily figure***

The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC), has announced 152 new infections of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), pandemic in the country.

The NCDC made this known via its verified website on Tuesday.

The public health agency said that two additional deaths were recorded as a result of coronavirus complications, raising the death toll in the country to 1,160.

The latest update, the country’s COVID-19 tally of infected people is 64,336, making it the fifth on the list of African countries worst hit, behind Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco and South Africa.

Also, there has been significant improvement in recoveries even as fears of an imminent and more devastating second wave of infections gain momentum.

The NCDC confirmed that 264 persons were discharged from isolation centres across the country after being successfully treated and tested negative to the virus.

The agency said that the 152 new infections were reported from eight states and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to it, Lagos further stretched its lead on the number of infections to 22,053, about a third of the country’s total, after the confirmation of 93 new infections.

Other states with new infections included FCT, 21, Oyo, 15, Rivers, 11, Bauchi, 7. Kwara, 2, while Bayelsa, Edo, and Plateau had one case each.

It stated that 64,336 cases had been confirmed, 60,333 cases discharged and 1,160 deaths recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Also read:  Nigeria confirms 94 new cases of COVID-19

The agency said that it had activated a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), at Level III to coordinate the national response activities in the country.

Meanwhile, the public health agency has said that the country could not afford to have yet another wave of COVID-19 outbreak.

“We urge Nigerians to take responsibility to keep our nation safe by adhering to all COVID-19 preventive measures. It is our collective responsibility,” it said.

The country has so far tested 687,952 persons since the first confirmed case was announced on February 27, 2020.

In another development, the U.S. on Tuesday reported 131,000 new cases of COVID-19, the country’s highest single-day infection since the start of the pandemic.

The U.S. COVID-19 Tracking Project said the country suffered an average of 120,000 new cases every day in the past week.

The disease killed no fewer than 1,347 persons across the U.S. on Tuesday, the highest record since Aug. 19, the project said.

It said no fewer than 62,000 people were currently hospitalised with COVID-19 in the country.

It added that the seven-day average for new deaths has been on the increase over the last couple of days and is now at 991.

Reports quoted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as saying that new cases were rising in 50 states and territories.

Between Nov. 3 and Nov. 9, the country recorded 767,645 new cases, representing an increase of 31 per cent from the previous seven-day period, according to HHS.

There were 6,838 deaths during that period, which was nearly 18 per cent above the previous week’s  umber, it added.

The department further said that 24 per cent of hospitals across the country have more than 80 per cent of their Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds filled.

On the global scene, the disease has infected no fewer than 51.3 million people, and claimed no fewer than 1.2 million lives, according to data compiled by John Hopkins University

Experts believe the actual numbers are much higher due to low capacity in testing, unreported cases and suspicion that many countries downplay their caseloads.

The U.S. remains the worst-hit country with no fewer than 10.3 million infections and 239,600 cases, according to John Hopkins.

 

Health and Safety

NDLEA, NBA Hail Comptroller Idris For Tackling Smuggling, Drug Trafficking

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NDLEA, NBA Hail Comptroller Idris For Tackling Smuggling, Drug Trafficking

The Katsina Customs Area Command, Controller, Abba-Aji Idris, has been hugely commended by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for his proactive efforts in tackling cross-border crimes, particularly smuggling and drug trafficking.

In a press statement signed by the Command’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs Bello Isah, on 31 October 2024, both agencies were reported to have praised Comptroller Idris during recent engagements with the Command, recognising his role in strengthening border security and public awareness.

The newly appointed NDLEA Commander for Katsina, Abubakar Aminu, already paid a courtesy visit to Comptroller Idris at the Customs House in Katsina on 30 October 2024. 

During the visit, he specially commended the Customs Command’s extensive efforts to raise public awareness of the dangers of smuggling and drug trafficking.

“The purpose of this visit is to assist the Comptroller in any way possible,” Commander Abubakar stated, emphasising the NDLEA’s alignment with the Customs Command’s objectives to protect the state from illegal cross-border activities.

Comptroller Idris, in his response, expressed appreciation for the NDLEA’s show of support, describing the visit as a timely reinforcement of Katsina Command’s mission. He detailed several strategies he has implemented since taking office, underlining the Command’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding Katsina State’s borders.

Similarly, the Katsina State Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by the Chairman, Barrister Shafiu Umar, also acknowledged Comptroller Idris’ contributions to public security. 

During their visit to the command, Barrister Umar applauded the Comptroller’s active engagement with the community and his public enlightenment campaigns, noting the NBA’s commitment to supporting legal cooperation and awareness efforts in alignment with the Command’s anti-smuggling objectives.

Comptroller Idris expressed his appreciation to the NBA delegation for their support and pledged to work closely with the association to enhance the command’s operational goals further. 

He particularly emphasised the importance of community partnerships in achieving lasting success, against border-related crimes.

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Health and Safety

CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

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CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

…Says Words are sometimes sharper than Swords

The National Cybercrime Centre – Nigeria Police Force has stressed that the word is sometimes sharper than the sword and warned journalists to be more disciplined and mindful in their choice of words online.

 The Acting Assistant Director of the Cybercrime Centre, SP Abubakar Smart, advised at a cybercrime workshop organised for journalists by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) on Thursday at the International Maritime Press Centre, Apapa, Lagos.

 Smart stressed that the pen could be sharper than the knife and therefore warned that journalists should ensure that whatever they push out online would not get them in trouble.

“What strikes the mind of people when we talk of cybercrime is internet fraud but it is more than that.

“Today, it has become a global threat due to the way we use digital technology, the nature of our work and the way we interact online.

“Journalists need to be well-informed about the Cybercrime Act of 2015, as amended, to be more educated about cybercrime so as not to fall victim,” he said.

Smart described cybercrime as any criminal activity done in cyberspace on any social media platform.

He listed them to include bullying, stalking,  fraud, identity theft and phishing.

“The punishment for cybercrime can be up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to N10 million and asset forfeiture.

“We should be aware of regulatory agencies responsible for ensuring the cyberspace is free.

“Some of them are the National Cybercrime Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” he said.

In his paper presentation, Dr Layinka Adagun, a veteran journalist and Mass Communication Lecturer at Lagos State Polytechnic urged journalists not to be desperate to be superstars.

He said that the zeal to confirm exclusive stories and the persistence to get information first could make some run foul of the cybercrime law.

Adagun said that some media professionals had a misconception that their daily activities, particularly intellectual outputs were removed from Internet governance.

“The internet has become a global tool for everything including a channel for freedom of expression but sadly, the freedom that the internet depicts is now being attacked and users intimidated.

“We all need to safeguard our access and activities on the electronic highway,” he said.

He said that cybercrime could be avoided, reduced or eliminated through a combination of individual awareness, organisational measures and technological solutions.

“Some strategies are: to educate ourselves on cybercrime, use strong passwords, be cautious with links and attachments, keep software up-to-date, and implement cyber security policies,” he said

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Health and Safety

Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

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Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has warned that any further attempt by its officers to pull the wool over the public eyes, may be treated as an act of gross misconduct and thus, attract serious sanctions 

The NCoS emphasized this in a statement made available by the Public Relations Officer and image maker, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Umar Abubakar, specifically calling attention to a public reaction of one of its officers, to a recently trending video.

“The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to a trending video of one of its senior officers purporting that the Service has not served him a letter of suspension as earlier directed by the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB)”, the statement indicated, adding:

“The Service views this as an act of gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public on the issue at hand.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Correctional Service suspended not only the said officer in the video, but three (3) other officers following their alleged roles in various misconducts to allow for further investigation.

“The suspended officers are the officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sikiru Adekunle; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT command, DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II) Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi state”, the statement further indicated.

It would be recalled that two letters were issued by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services board (CDCFIB) with reference nos: CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17 both dated 26th September, 2024, suspending the aforementioned officers.

 The suspension which took effect from the 26th of September, 2024, was conveyed to the various officers accordingly. 

The Image maker consequently advised the public to remain resolute as the Service would ensure that a thorough investigation would be carried out and any person or group of persons found culpable would be punished in line with the Public Service Rules as well as other extant laws.

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