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Health and Safety

Reps hold meeting with INEC on 2019 polls

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NASS warns MDAs: Desist from diverting revenue accruing to FG

…As FG partners Saudi Arabia, WHO to lessen crowd-induced diseases at hajj***

The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, has just begun a meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The main issue is the budget for the 2019 polls.

INEC ‘s Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, is attending.

The committee is chaired by Mrs. Aisha Dukku.

In the meantime, Federal Ministry of Health has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia on scientific research to mitigate crowd-induced illnesses during the hajj exercise.

The partnership, which is in collaboration of the Saudi-based Centre for Mass Gathering Medicine (CMGM), a World Health Organisation (WHO)-funded agency, will assuage the effect of harsh atmospheric condition, outbreak of heatstroke and epidemics during the religious gathering.

Representative of Federal Ministry of Health and commissioner in charge of health at NAHCON, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, revealed this yesterday in Medina.

Besides, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said a 450-man team, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other technical support members would be on stand-by for emergencies during the exercise.

Kana said: “Many diseases can be spread during such conditions.

There may also be stampede, fire outbreak and flood, as it had happened at different times.

“Now, this partnership will encompass research, training and knowledge management in general.

The centre responsible is the Global Centre for Mass Gathering Medicines, which is one of the few WHO collaborating centres in the world.

Saudi Arabia was chosen for the centre base because of large population of Muslims from across the world that attend hajj.

“Nigeria was chosen by the Saudis for so many reasons: our large pilgrim population and larger black population during hajj.

Therefore, a good representation of tropical Africa, highly organised hajj system and the centralised medical services with real time electronic medical records (are needed).

“Through the MoU, I see opportunities for Nigerian physicians to embark on post-graduate training in this new field.

I also see opportunities for Nigerian pharmaceutical companies that can also partner with the Saudis, as both countries are emerging economies with diplomatic respect for each other.”

He emphasised that the Federal Government, through NAHCON, was embarking on research and analysis of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among pilgrims.

That, he said, was aside research findings on the use of pills to delay menstruation during hajj.

Ahead of Arafah Day, the NAHCON health commissioner advised pilgrims against roaming under the scorching sun, which could lead to dehydration and sunstroke.

He admonished sufferers of high blood pressure and diabetes to strictly abide by movement procedure and schedules, to prevent needless stress that could aggravate their health challenges.

Punch with additional report from Guardian NG

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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