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Coronavirus: Passengers From Spain, Germany, France To Undergo Rigorous Screening At Nigerian Airports

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Passengers from Spain, Germany, and France are to undergo secondary screening at Nigeria’s ports of entry self-isolate for 14 days, the Federal Government has said.

These were parts of the measures put in place by the government because of the high-index and widespread community transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in those countries.

Currently, Spain has the fourth-highest number of confirmed cases of the virus at 9,428 and the total death of 335 people. Germany and France have confirmed cases of 6,924 and 5,423 respectively, with 14 and 127 deaths recorded.

The Federal Government had earlier placed passengers coming into the country from China, Japan, Iran, Italy and the Republic of Korea on the ‘screening watch-list’ before it added Germany, Spain, and France to the list.

Speaking at the daily briefing in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, explained that Nigeria had to review its case definition following the declaration of COVID-19 as pandemic and it increasing spread across countries.

Mamora said: “Despite the fact that we have not recorded the confirmed COVID-19 case in the last one week in Nigeria, it is important to remember that we are still at high risk like other countries. We continue to monitor returning travelers that fit our case definition and improve our surveillance, detection and risk communications.

“Following the declaration of a pandemic and increasing spread in countries, we carried out a review of our case definition. We have added three new countries to the existing list of five high-risk countries with widespread community transmission. These are – France, Germany, and Spain. Therefore, 8 countries are in our priority lists which are – China, Japan, Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea, France and Germany.

“Travelers from these eight countries will undertake secondary screening at the point of entry. They are also advised to self-isolate for 14 days on entry.

”Between the 7th of January and 15th of March 2020, a total of 48 people who met our case definition have been screened for COVID-19 in eight states – Edo, Lagos, Ogun, FCT, Yobe, Rivers, Kano, and Enugu. Out of which 47 tested negative and have been cleared. One was positive (contact of the index case) and one result is pending. There have been no deaths.

“The index case is clinically stable and has improved greatly. We look forward to progress early this week, to guide the medical team in discharging him.

“The multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Led by NCDC continues to coordinate national response activities.

“NCDC has developed guidance for mass gatherings. We have not advised against any closures or cancellations of large events. However, organizers must ensure that appropriate measures are in place such as temperature scanners, hand washing facilities, etc.

“In Interim case management guideline has been developed and disseminated to health workers. We are training health workers from all states, in stages. This has been completed in Lagos and Ogun.

“Citizens are advised to discourage the spread of misinformation that causes fear and panic. This continues to increase. Please only rely on information shared through the official channels of the Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC or State Ministry of Health”.

On the suspected case of the coronavirus in Enugu state, Mamora said: “In Enugu, a woman in her seventies returned from the UK and had symptoms of fever and mild respiratory illness.

“Her sample was collected for laboratory diagnosis and tested negative for COVID-19. Therefore, as of the 15th of March 2020, Nigeria has recorded two confirmed cases of COVID-19. One case is now negative and has been discharged from the hospital”.

The minister admonished Nigerians to steer clear from misinformation and disinformation, explaining that “claims that the COVID-19 is resistant to Africa blood is not true”.

He also advised Nigerians to embrace the cashless policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the virus could be contracted through currency notes money and handsets.

“A Nigerian Doctor based in Italy has just died of the virus in Canada. So, we should not be ignorant of the fact that there are lots of ‘knowns and unknowns’ about the virus. Prevention is better than cure and obedience is better than sacrifice,” he said.

Mamora advised that handsets should be wiped as much as possible and that people should not be tired of washing their hands regularly.

As at March 13, no fewer than 132, 000 cases of COVID-19 had been reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported from 123 countries and territories.

According to WHO, 5,000 people have lost their lives to the virus.

The Director-General, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said: “We are working across the board from port surveillance to testing in our laboratories and we are improving on our testing capacity daily. New guidelines are being developed and updated so we need the media to be part of the response because it is a collective responsibility.”

BIG STORY

“My NGO Account Has Been Hacked, N160Million Diverted” — VeryDarkMan

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Popular activist and social critic, VeryDarkMan, has raised concerns about the hacking of his NGO account, which led to the diversion of N160 million.

In a video shared on his verified Instagram account on Friday, he revealed that the incident had left him feeling distressed in recent days.

He explained that the funds were stolen after hackers allegedly gained access to the NGO’s website. The compromised account, which initially contained N180 million, now holds only N20 million.

He mentioned that law enforcement agencies had tracked one of the suspects, resulting in an arrest.

To address the situation, he stated that the NGO’s app had been temporarily taken offline for maintenance to prevent further vulnerabilities.

He said, “For the past few days, I’ve not been myself. I am here with Officer Joe, and we are going to Jos. NGO money—somebody stole the money. Somebody hacked into the NGO website, and I don’t know how they did it. N180 million is missing, but thank God we have tracked the person, and we are on our way to Jos.

“They have arrested one person, and that is why I’m even saying it now. I’m excited, and the account has been put on PND. The account now has N20 million, while N160 million has been diverted to another account. We are currently going there to see how we can get the money back. I just want to update you people.

“I even had to shut down the app and put it on maintenance so that people will not really see what is going on, but let me just come out plain and tell everyone what is going on. Hopefully, we will get the money back.”

The NGO, which launched in October, gained significant attention after raising over N21 million within 24 hours of its inception.

The initiative, aimed at transforming Nigeria’s public education system, attracted support from prominent figures, including music producer Don Jazzy.

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BIG STORY

Christmas Celebrations: Police Arrest 23 Suspected Armed Robbers, Hoodlums, Kidnapper, Recover Dangerous Weapons [PHOTOS]

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  • As IGP Commends Officers For Vigilance, Commitment To Safety

 

In furtherance of the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., to commands and formations to emplace unalloyed anti crime strategies towards ensuring adequate safety and security during this festive period, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force across several states in the country have successfully apprehended multiple groups of armed robbers, cultists and hoodlums targeting fun seekers and engaging in gangsterism during Christmas celebrations.

On the 25th of December 2024, at about 1am, the police operatives attached to Lagos State Command, received a distress call that a group of hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons was operating around the Safejo area of Amukoko, Lagos State. The swift response by the police operatives to the scene led to the arrest of 3 of the suspected hoodlums identified as Emmanuel Okoli ‘m’, 20 years, Ogunde Tejiri ‘m’, 20 years, and Emmanuel Orji ‘m’, 18 years, and also the recovery of the weapons they had used in carrying out robbery attacks on innocent funseekers in the area. The police have emplaced intensified searches to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.

In a similar development, Police Operatives attached to Saminaka Division of the Kaduna State Command on 25th December 2024, at about 8pm, successfully apprehended one Sule Muhammad ‘m’, 25 years, who has been actively involved in multiple kidnapping incidents within the Saminaka area. Further investigation led to the recovery of a fabricated AK-47 rifle from the suspect. The suspect confessed to being a member of a notorious kidnapping gang who had been evading arrest since the arrest of other gang members on August 16, 2024, until his recent arrest on 25th December 2024. Following cooperation received from Muhammad, efforts are in top gear to apprehend other members of his gang and recover more arms and ammunition in their identified camp. Commendable efforts of the Nigeria Police Operatives have also been witnessed in states including Delta, Ogun Katsina, Benue, FCT and Imo, leading to the arrests of several suspects in various locations during the Christmas celebration period.

The IGP has commended the officers involved in these operations for their vigilance and commitment to public safety, highlighting their display of exemplary dedication in safeguarding our communities, especially during this joyful season. The IGP urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

The IGP further assures citizens that the Force is fully committed to creating a safe environment for everyone as they partake in the joy and cheer of the holiday season. As the celebrations continue, the Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mission to protect all citizens and ensure that the spirit of festivities during this period remains unmarred by criminal activities.

 

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

FORCE HEADQUARTERS,

ABUJA.

27TH DECEMBER 2024.

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BIG STORY

Road To 2027: We’ll Ensure APC Gets Less Than 15k Votes — Kwankwaso

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Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano state, stated that the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) will reduce the influence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Speaking on Wednesday at a meeting with party stakeholders in Tsanyawa LGA of the state, Kwankwaso mentioned that the NNPP aims to ensure the APC receives fewer than 15,000 votes in the 2027 elections.

In the 2023 governorship election, the NNPP garnered 1,019,602 votes, the APC secured 890,705 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came third with 15,957 votes.

Kwankwaso emphasized that the NNPP achieved the “remarkable feat” of over one million votes despite being a new political platform and starting its campaign late.

“Now, it’s our turn to diminish APC’s influence. We will work tirelessly to ensure their votes are reduced to less than 15,000 in Kano come 2027,” Kwankwaso stated.

Kwankwaso, who was the NNPP’s presidential candidate in 2023, urged his supporters to stay united and focused to ensure the party’s success in future elections.

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