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COVID-19: Nigeria records 24 deaths, as PTF monitors Ebola outbreak in neighbouring countries

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

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on coronavirus (COVID-19) has said the deaths of 24 COVID-19 patients in a day should be a wake-up call to Nigerians that the deadly virus is still around.

Mr Boss Mustapha, PTF Chairman, said this on Monday in Abuja while speaking at the national briefing of the PTF on COVID-19.

He said there had been sustained efforts by sub-national entities and the FCT administration to stem the tide against the second wave of the pandemic.

“This is evident in the closure of some facilities including event centres and clubs, over the violation of protocols.

‘“We are glad with the direction of the collaboration and enforcement which we believe will deter other would-be violators.

“’For the avoidance of doubt, places of worship should only have 50 per cent of their capacity, indoor gatherings and meetings should not exceed 50 people at a time.

“Indoor restaurants, clubs and lounges should remain closed,” he said.

Mustapha, however, said that the recorded death of 24 COVID-19 patients in the country on Feb. 13, being the second-highest in a day since the beginning of the pandemic, should serve as a wake-up call for the populace to brace up for more compliance.

Also, speaking on the reported outbreaks of Ebola in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mustapha said “​The PTF is also enhancing surveillance at points of entry to respond to the recent outbreaks of Ebola in neighboring countries, especially, Guinea and the DRC.

“We shall keep a keen eye on it to avoid having to combat two deadly diseases at the same time.

“This is not a task for government alone but for all Nigerians and indeed all members of the public have a role to play,” he said.

Also read:  COVID-19 thaws as NCDC reports only 520 new infections, 5 deaths

On vaccines, PTF Chairman said: “the process for accessing vaccines for Nigeria is still on course under the coordination of the PTF in the same manner of the national response on COVID-19.

“While the Federal Ministry of Health and its relevant agencies remain the lead facilitators, our goal remains to keep it safe and efficacious.”

He also said that the oxygen strategy, which the PTF was pursuing nationwide under case management, was receiving the needed support from the global fund.

“This will involve the repairs of 36 plants nationwide. The process is ongoing and you will be briefed as it progresses.

“The objective is to make sure that oxygen is available within the shortest possible travelling distance for hospitals to procure for patients.

“As you are aware, the president has already approved the repairs of existing plants around the country,” he 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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