Category Nigeria News

The Federal Government should increase investments in hospital infrastructure, regional medical facilities, and funding for the health sector to improve the quality of the country’s respiratory care, according to the Nigerian Thoracic Society (NTS).

The society urged local authorities to establish fully equipped regional centers of excellence to advance diagnosis, treatment, and research in respiratory medicine in a communiqué released at the conclusion of its 32nd Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, which took place in Lagos.

Musa Babashani, president of NTS, and Abiona Odeyemi, secretary general, both signed the statement, which stressed the need to modernize the hospital system to address the country’s growing respiratory disease burden.

Additionally, it encouraged hospital administrators to improve their documentation practices so that local data can be compiled for new technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Participants at the conference, which was titled “Harnessing Technology to Advance Equitable Respiratory Care in Nigeria,” discussed how technology and artificial intelligence (AI) can advance critical care and medicine both domestically and internationally.

Delegates concurred that AI cannot replace healthcare professionals, despite its ability to improve diagnosis and treatment.

FG Unveils Health Strategies To Improve Planning, READ ALSO.

The topic of the conference was the diffusion of knowledge about the causes of sub-Saharan African respiratory diseases.

The communiqué highlighted persistent issues like the high rate of tobacco use, rising lung cancer rates, poor access to high-quality healthcare, and low health-insurance coverage.

It highlighted the need for more comprehensive CPR training and better public health education because many Nigerians lack sufficient emergency response knowledge.

The NTS also reiterated its call for more public awareness campaigns against tobacco use, citing insufficient tobacco-control measures.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, his Special Adviser on Technical Matters, David Atuwo, served as his representative during the event.

According to the Nigerian Army, the 12 Brigade’s troops intercepted a significant drug courier and recovered a sizable shipment of cannabis sativa in Kogi State.

The Army said the interception is a part of ongoing operations to stop criminal activity and stop the movement of illegal substances linked to banditry and violent crimes, according to a statement posted on the company’s X handle on Tuesday.

On November 24, 2025, troops from the Agbede Response Area conducted a routine stop-and-search on a Toyota Camry traveling from Ekiti State to Obajana using the registration number DKA 158AU.

A branded police hat and belt were reportedly displayed on the dashboard of the Johnson Ayo-driven vehicle, which reportedly raised questions during the inspection.

10 sacks of Cannabis Sativa, weighing 108.8 kilograms, were discovered inside the car after thorough investigation.

Initial investigations, according to the Army, suggested that large-scale drug trafficking supported criminal networks financially and fueled banditry operations throughout the state and nearby areas.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Suspect Kidnapper in Taraba

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kogi State Command, has received the suspect’s and the recovered drugs for further investigation and action.

The Army reiterated its commitment to supporting national initiatives to combat drug trafficking, combat banditism, and improve security for citizens.

In one of its social intervention initiatives for 2025, the Zamfara State Government has sponsored the mass wedding of 200 female orphans, widows, and underprivileged women.

The board’s annual activities, which included business grants, debt relief assistance, poultry production training, and computer literacy programs, came to an end with the event on Monday.

Huriya Dauda Lawal, the First Lady of Zamfara State, said the mass wedding demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of widows, orphans, and other vulnerable citizens.

She continued, adding that her office also offered crucial household items to assist newlyweds.

The Zakat Board has successfully delivered a number of life-changing interventions for the fourth quarter of 2025, including assistance for the marriage of 200 female orphans who need support from essential household items like furniture, bedding, and a $ 200, 000 dowry, to enable them to begin their marital lives with respect and comfort, the first lady said.

“Settlement of debt-related cases across Shari’ah courts and correctional centers, giving deserving individuals a second chance to regain their freedom and live honorably.”

“Business grants of 50, 000 each for 200 small-scale traders, many of whom are widows, orphans, and caregivers, boosting their ability to make ends meet and become financially independent. 100 poultry producers are being trained and given the tools they need to start their own poultry business.

“Digital literacy instruction for 10 orphans and kids from less fortunate homes, each with a mini computer to enhance their learning and potential future.”

These accomplishments “exemplify the vision we have for a more prosperous, self-sufficient, and empowered Zamfara State.” The First Lady’s office has also donated important household items to further support these noble efforts, which only adds to the success of this initiative.

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Habib Balarabe, the executive secretary of the Zamfara State Zakkat and Endowment Board, stated that the initiative aims to end street begging and end poverty by providing vulnerable families with the funds needed to establish a stable home.

We plan this event specifically for Zamfara State’s less-privileged residents. We planned to wed 200 orphans. We also hold an additional program to empower them while they are still living in their homes, such as providing them with a business token, Balarabe said at the event.

We are doing it to reduce both the state’s poverty and how beggars get around.

When asked about her choice, 14-year-old Zainab Mohammed, one of the newlywed brides, said she was grateful to the state government and that she preferred marrying rather than attending school.

Sincerely, I praise the Almighty God and the Prophet Mohammed for keeping God’s peace with him. I’m delighted. I’m not a childless. I, in fact, favor getting married over attending school, Muhammad said.

Each couple received 30 000 dollars in cash as part of the intervention.

100 recipients of poultry production training also received starter packs to aid in starting small poultry businesses.

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The Ondo State Security Network Agency, the Amotekun Corps, has adopted new strategies in ensuring adequate security in schools as well as boundary communities across the state.

This measure is coming after a recent upsurge in the abduction of students from schools in some states in the northern part of the country.

The Commander of Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, Adetunji Adeleye, announced this in Akure while parading 16 suspected criminals, including three kidnappers, as part of the success stories of the ongoing “Ember months” boundary patrol tagged ‘ Operation Le Won Jade’.

Adeleye disclosed that the new security strategies included twenty-four-hour patrols and other undisclosed efforts to prevent terror attacks in the state.

He explained that the surveillance of boarding schools became necessary following recent security breaches experienced in some parts of the country.

READ ALSO: Amotekun Arrests Suspected Serial Armed Robber In Ondo

“Over the past week, we have visited numerous schools, particularly those in border towns and outskirts, and mounted continuous surveillance to ensure the safety of students”, he said.

The Amotekun boss noted that the security outfit has intensified 24-hour patrols, particularly along state borders, as part of the Ember Month security enhancement to safeguard lives and properties.

According to him, the new security strategies were being executed in collaboration with other security agencies in the state, such as the Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

He gives graphic details of the Suspects being paraded: “The 16 individuals include ten who broke public law and order, three kidnappers, and three for anti-grazing violations.

” Operation ‘ Le Won Jade, ‘ which spans all the 18 Local Government Areas of Ondo State, has been instrumental in driving away miscreants, bandits, and kidnappers from our forests, and this exercise continues alongside regular city patrols, “he noted.

Adeleye added that the Suspects include one Abubakar, a 24-year-old man from Ogbese, arrested for anti-open grazing violations, Usman, arrested for stealing a drilling machine, and 35-year-old Olamiju, along with Udofia and Miracle, kidnappers at Ala-Dada, a farmstead in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

The final written address in the $ 5 billion defamation lawsuit brought by the Department of State Services against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project was adjourned for adoption on Monday by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama.

The DSS’s officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, filed the lawsuit with the number FCT/HC/CV/4547/24.

Kolawole Oluwadare, the second defendant, opened its defense at the second hearing on Monday after the court granted a housekeeping request for process amendment.

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Oluwadare, who took the oath to testify before the court, clarified the organization’s activities as well as the circumstances surrounding the alleged invasion of its Abuja office by the DSS operatives.

He explained to the court that SERAP is a recognized non-profit organization dedicated to promoting social justice, accountability, and transparency.

The second defendant insisted that SERAP’s goal is to advance and defend human rights, including socio-economic rights, in the public’s overall interests, rejecting any claims that the organization is only there to criticize the government.

He claimed that SERAP’s efforts to hold public institutions accountable were severely hampered by the harassment and intimidation of civic actors.

He claims that SERAP uses both local and international donor funds.

The witness claimed that the DSS operatives stormed the organization’s office, prompting him to inform the court when he answered questions during cross-examination.

A front-desk officer, a security guard, and a lawyer were among the many SERAP staff members who reported seeing the officials, he told the court.

Oluwadare acknowledged that he made some harsh statements about the Department of State Service (DSS) that were inappropriate and that were “unlawful, invasion, intimidation, and harrassment.”

The witness who also acknowledged that SERAP has received information from one Vivian Amadi, a front desk officer and receptionist for the organization, admitted using the words in the publications.

In a N5 billion defamation lawsuit brought against SERAP by two DSS operatives, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, Oluwadare admitted using the words while being cross-examined by Oluwagbemileke Samuel Kehinde.

According to the witness, the publications were based on the presence of two DSS officers in the SERAP office on September 9, 2024.

When Vivian Amadi called to let him know that the DSS officers were present in his organization’s compound, he claimed he was not in the office.

According to the information that was provided to him, Oluwadare, who was subject to two exhibits and publications against DSS, read out the first sentence of one of those publications where the alleged harsh words were used.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to order DSS officers in the publication published on the SERAP website and raised the alarm that the organization had unlawfully invaded and harassed its employees.

He disagreed, though, that the statements made in the publications constitute serious allegations against the two defendants.

The witness also acknowledged that he had not previously consulted with DSS before publishing the publications on SERAP’s website.

He acknowledged that no staff member was physically assaulted by the security officers while the two DSS officers were present at the SERAP office. No property was seized or damaged.

The SERAP witness claimed in response to a question that the DSS officers did not break any doors to enter the organization’s offices.

He added that the security agents did not use any weapons, but that Sarah John, the first claimant, was making calls to other officers demanding that they leave the SERAP building.

He claimed to have access to the organization’s office’s CCTV footage of the DSS officers.

Prior to his testimony in chief, the witness was led by lawyer Oluwatosin Adesioye, who had previously adopted his witness statement under oath.

Justice Halilu Yusuf has set the deadline for the parties’ final addresses to be adopted on February 19, 2026.

The defendants were accused of fabricating a false claim that John and Ogundele had invaded SERAP’s Abuja office by the claimants in the lawsuit filed in the names of two DSS officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele.

The claimant also claimed, among other things, that SERAP’s alleged false claim has had a negative effect on both the organization’s reputation and the two involved officials.

In their statement of claim, they further stated that in accordance with its policy of collaborating with non-governmental organization representatives in the FCT to establish a relationship with their new leadership, it ordered the two officials, John and Ogunleye, to visit SERAP’s office and request a meeting with its new leadership.

The claimants further explained that John and Ogunleye made a friendly visit to SERAP’s headquarters in Wuse Zone 1, Abuja, on September 9 and met with one Ruth, who informed them that none of the management staff members were present, and that the DSS should send a formal letter of invitation.

Before they left SERAP’s office, Ruth promised to inform the management of her organization about the visit and provided a phone number, 08160537202. According to John and Ogundele, who claimed their interactions with Ruth were recorded, she claimed to have provided a phone number to 08160537202.

They expressed surprise that SERAP announced on its X (Twitter) handle @SERAPNigeria that DSS officers are currently unlawfully occupying its office shortly after their visit.

The claimant added that “on the same day, the defendants falsely claimed that some DSS officers, who were described as “a tall, large, dark-skinned woman” and “a slim, dark-skinned man,” “invaded their Abuja office and interrogated the staff of the first defendant (SERAP),” and that “the defendants also published a statement on SERAP’s website, which was widely reported by several media outfits.

According to John and Ogundele, “the DSS has been ridiculed and criticized by prominent members of the Nigerian society, such as Femi Falana (SAN), and due to the false statements made by the defendants.”

Members of the public and the international community concluded that the Federal Government is harassing the defendants by using the DSS as a result of the false statements made by the defendants.

They added that because the DSS’s staff and management believed the defendants did not follow orders and carried out an unsanctioned operation, they are therefore incompetent and unprofessional, the defendants’ statements damaged their reputation.

Therefore, the claimants are asking the court for the following reliefs:

*An order directing the defendants to apologize to the claimants via the first defendant’s (SERAP’s) website, X (twitter), two national daily newspapers (Punch and Vanguard), and two national news television stations (Arise Television and Channels Television) for falsely accusing them of unlawfully occupying the first defendant’s office and interrogating the first defendant’s staff.

*An order ordering the defendants to pay the claimants N5 billion as compensation for the lies that were made about the claimants.

*Interest on the N5b sum at a rate of 10% per year from the judgment date until the judgment sum is realized or liquidated.

In connection with the alleged conspiracies and rape of a 20-year-old female student of the same school, two students from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), have been detained by the police in Ondo State.

Olusola Ayanlade, a spokesman for the Ondo State Police Command, made this known in a statement released on Tuesday in Akure, the state capital.

The victim was invited to the residence of her long-time friend, Queen Sodo ‘f’, who was also a student of the same school, according to his preliminary investigation.

The police PRO provides further details about the evil behavior by saying that the victim accepted a drink that her friend had given but later discovered to have been laced with drugs and that caused her to lose consciousness.

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Queen Sodo reportedly cunningly left the room, called her male co-conspirator, and kept watch while the crime was being committed while noticing that the victim had become incapacitated.

Ayanlade received a call from the victim when she heard the victim’s noise.

A neighbor who noticed unusual and inconsistent noise in her neighbor’s room later helped the victim.

She was discovered with the male suspect and unconscious, in a compromising position, and treated for emergency medical treatment.

She was referred to a specialist hospital for further medical care after being given a preliminary assessment, where she is currently being cared for and recovering.

The two suspects have admitted their involvement in the crime and the specific roles they played, according to the police spokesperson.

He added that drugs, including the bottle of the drug-laced beverage, have been recovered from the scene, along with the bottle that the victim and the suspects both identified as having been involved in the incident.

The suspects are currently being held in lawful custody, according to Ayanlade, and work is being done to move them to the Akure Gender Desk Office for a more discreet investigation and a possible prosecution.