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COVID-19: We’ll Recommend Another Lockdown If The Need Arises — PTF

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Boss Mustapha, chairman of the presidential task force on COVID-19, says the committee will not hesitate to advise President Muhammadu Buhari to lock down the country again if the need arises.

Speaking at the presidential task force briefing on COVID-19 on Monday, Mustapha asked Nigerians to learn from the experience of the 1918 Spanish flu.

He said the federal government decided to relax the initial lockdown to ease the hardship in the land.

“What happened in 1918 was very simple. During the Spanish flu, it lasted for 2 years and in three waves, and during that period of time, 500 million people were infected. Out of which they recorded fatalities of about 50 million persons. But the dangerous phase of the flu was the second phase,” he said.

“Because people were so angry about the quarantine and restrictions when the government of the different nationalities lifted up the restrictions, people jumped onto the street and began to enjoy themselves with reckless abandon

“And by the time the second wave came, tens of millions of the deaths were recorded.

“I have said it here that lockdowns might not be popular now but what will happen in the preceding weeks will determine. Madagascar has imposed a lockdown despite its herbal cure. About 39 states in the US, because of the Thanksgiving holiday and their national day celebration, they have begun to see spikes in the figure.

“I believe as the days and weeks ahead will present, we will not speculate what will happen in the future but we will do everything within our mandate to ensure the safety and protection of the people of Nigeria. If that will recommend a prescription of a lockdown, this task force will mot shy away from its responsibilities.

“We will take that decision, make our recommendations to Mr president who will finally decide. What will happen in the next two to three weeks will determine our recommendation.”

Noting that the disease is still virulent and even more potent now “from the studies that are coming”, Mustapha said Nigeria will probably reach its peak in September and that the country cannot afford to compromise the safety of its citizens.

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JUST IN: President Tinubu, Shettima, Governors, Other VIPs To Pay Toll At Airports

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As part of the Federal Government drive to boost its revenue, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has mandated that President Bola Tinubu, Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Governors and other dignitaries henceforth pay the required fees at tollgates whenever they use the nation’s airports.

The approval was made days after it was revealed that at least 82 percent of airport tollgate revenue is lost through non-paying Very Important Personalities (VIPs).

 

More to come…

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How Content Creator Was Shot Dead On Set In Abuja Over N2,000

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A fast-rising Nigerian content creator, Chidike Emmanuel, has been murdered by gunmen in Mpape, Abuja.

It was gathered that the skit maker was among six persons attacked by the gunmen last Saturday in the federal capital territory.

According to The Cable, source familiar with the incident said that Emmanuel was killed at the location of a project he was supposed to feature in.

The insider disclosed that the gunmen initially demanded money in order to allow them to shoot at the location.

The content creator was said to have given the armed men N2,000. However, what transpired that led to the shooting of the cast members remains unknown.

It was gathered some of the cast members who ran for safety suffered injuries.

Some users close to Emmanuel took to X to mourn the deceased while demanding justice.

“Chidike Emmanuel Obinna I have known you since 2018 You are such a calm and kind soul You couldn’t attend my wedding because you were far away but you sent me your gift #Justiceforchidi,” Helen wrote.

On her part, Rakeli added: “Obinna Chidike Emmanuel, please don’t die please. Pick my calls, reply my chat and tell me all that I am hearing is a lie. Biko I am loosing my mind”.

Efforts to reach Josephine Adeh, the FCT police spokesperson, to comment on the matter have been abortive.

Calls and messages to Adeh’s phone have not been responded to, as of the time of this report.

The development comes a few weeks after Junior Pope passed away after a boat accident on the River Niger in Asaba, Delta state.

The actor and some crew members were heading to a movie location when the boat accident occurred.

His family disclosed that the actor’s final rites will be held on May 17.

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Police Arrest Man ‘Strapped With Bomb’ Inside Bank In Plateau

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Security operatives have apprehended a man strapped with Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device (SPBIED) inside a bank in Plateau.

The individual was arrested at a bank in Dadin Kowa town, which is in Jos South LGA of the state, according to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency journal that focuses on the Lake Chad region. According to the article, the incident happened on May 13.

Makama was informed by intelligence sources that the individual intended to set off the explosives at the bank, but a vigilante officer noticed him and alerted the authorities.

According to the publication, an enraged mob encircled the suspect after he was captured and demanded that he be murdered.

Makama could not confirm if the suspect is connected to the fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The publication added that the suspect is in the custody of the police and currently undergoing investigation.

Nigeria has been battling insurgency for two decades, with suicide bombings, displacement of entire communities and kidnapping for ransom by the terrorists, recorded in that span.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said about 83 children, mostly girls, were used as human bombs in 2017 alone.

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