A complication from measles is suspected to have killed at least 19 children in Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa.

Commissioner for health, Felix Tangwami, told journalists in Mubi on Saturday that more than 200 children in the local government area were already infected.

He said the outbreak was reported in Yola on Saturday, leading to a quick mobilisation of medics and drugs to affected communities.

He assured that children with severe infections would be referred to hospitals.

The commissioner said the medical team would move from Mubi to Gombi Local Government Area, where another outbreak had been reported.

Mr Tangwami blamed the refusal of parents to immunise their children for the outbreak.

Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone launched a large-scale rollout of the malaria vaccine on Thursday to protect millions of African children across the West African states.

With the announcement on World Malaria Day, the number of African countries incorporating the vaccines into their childhood immunisation programmes increased to eight. The World Health Organisation in Benin said in a statement that the coordinated initiative aims to strengthen vaccine distribution across Africa.

The statement said that over 30 countries have indicated interest in adopting the vaccine with support from organisations like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance as efforts to fight the disease with existing strategies like insecticidal nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention continues.

It said that Benin, having received 215,900 doses, has seamlessly integrated the malaria vaccine into its Expanded Programme on Immunisation, targeting children from around five months of age.

Health Minister Benjamin Hounkpatin stressed the vaccine’s pivotal role in protecting children from the illness, reassuring the public of its safety and effectiveness.

Meanwhile, in Liberia, the vaccine rollout began in Rivercess County, an area with high malaria prevalence, with plans to extend coverage to five additional counties.

Liberia’s Health Minister, Louise Kpoto, hailed the vaccine’s introduction as a transformative milestone in the fight against malaria, rallying communities, healthcare workers, and international partners to combat the disease and secure a brighter future for the country’s youths.

The deployment of two WHO-recommended vaccines, RTS, S and R21, has shown promising results in pilot programmes across Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, significantly reducing malaria cases and child mortality rates.

Sierra Leone’s Health Minister, Austin Demby, emphasised the collective endeavour to eradicate malaria, leveraging a comprehensive approach to disease prevention and treatment.

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, stressed the importance of sustained efforts to reduce malaria-related fatalities and strengthen healthcare infrastructure across the region.

Aurelia Nguyen, chief programme officer at Gavi, praised the expansion of malaria vaccine coverage, highlighting its crucial role in saving lives and easing pressure on healthcare systems.

However, she cautioned against complacency, emphasising the need for continued investment and collaboration to address the multifaceted challenges posed by malaria.

The management of Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc on Monday said the current outage being experienced in Gombe State was as a result of the collapse of the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s 330 kV line.

There have been blackout in the state for about 10 hours.

According to a statement issued by the company’s Head, Corporate Communications, Dr Friday Adakole, heavy rainstorm and wind storm facilitated the collapse of the 330 kV tower.

The 330 kV tower, number 290, collapsed around Shingen Abba Area of Tirwun Village in Bauchi Local Government Area.

Adakole’s statement partly read, “The unfortunate incident has affected the entire Gombe State including Ashaka Cement Plant.

“TCN is already working assiduously towards reconstructing the collapsed tower in order to restore normal supply to the good people of Gombe state.”

While urging customers to bear with the company, the statement added that power would be restored once engineers concluded the repairs.

“Customers are therefore requested to kindly bear with the company as the management is endeavouring to solve the problem.

“Power would be restored as soon as the problem is resolved,” the statement added.

The Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, Dr Egbe Ayuk, has said only 196 Primary Healthcare Centres of the 1,045 spread across the state are functional.

The commissioner made the disclosure in Calabar on Tuesday during a briefing to mark this year’s World Health Day which has the theme: “My health, my right.”

Mr Ayuk noted that the celebration was shifted because of the Eid-el-Fitr public holidays declared for last week by the Federal Government.

He however, said that the number of functional healthcare PHCs would be increased to 450 within the next two years.

According to him, the state is having challenges in terms of healthcare centres.

He said, “Today we have 1045 primary healthcare facilities but the structural ones that are functional are about 196. We expect that within the next two years, we will upgrade it to 450 and bring the total number of functional facilities to 600.”

He said that the state would leverage the National Basic Healthcare Provision Fund assisting states to develop their healthcare needs.

“We take advantage of what they have on ground and also access funds from the World Bank,” he stated.

Mr Ayuk said that another challenge in the health sector receiving attention was in the area of personnel.

He said the present administration did not meet up to eight pharmacists in the state employment, adding that the number had been doubled since the government came on board. The commissioner also said that only 30 doctors were currently fully employed in the state with a few contract staff.

He also disclosed that the state developed its health care sector along five pillars including developing a strong PHC architecture in the state and having a subsidised healthcare financing system for the poor.

Others are having a very strong health insurance system in place, ensuring equity in health resource allocations as well as ensuring quality service delivery.

Kingmakers in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have appointed the current Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The kingmakers are also the members of the Olubadan-in-Council.Olakulehin’s appointment was ratified at a meeting held at Mapo Hall on Friday.

The meeting started around 11:00 am and ended some minutes after 12:00 pm.

The Olubadan stool became vacant as a result of the death of the 42nd holder of the title, Oba Mahood Olalekan Balogun, who joined his ancestors last month.

The Olubadan-in-Council met at Mapo Hall on Friday to nominate Olakulehin and the nomination was ratified by all the members present.

Olakulehin was nominated by the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Lateef Adebimpe.

The meeting, which was attended by Olakulehin, was chaired by the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, a former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja.

Other members of Olubadan-in-Council at the meeting are Osi Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole Foko; Ashipa Olubadan, Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade; Ekarun Olubadan, Adebayo Akande; Osi Balogun, Lateef Adebimpe; Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Balogun, Dada Isioye and Ekarun Balogun, Abiodun Azeez.

Immediately after the ratification, the High Chiefs will send the name of Olakulehin to the state governor, Seyi Makinde, for endorsement.

The World Health Organization, WHO, says about 3,500 people die from the hepatitis virus every day, while the global toll continues to rise.

WHO on Tuesday, called for swift action to fight the second-largest infectious killer every day.

New data from 187 countries indicated that the number of deaths from viral hepatitis rose to 1.3 million in 2022 from 1.1 million in 2019, according to a WHO report released to coincide with the World Hepatitis Summit in Portugal this week.

Meg Doherty, head of the WHO’s global HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infection programmes, in a press conference, noted that the situation is alarming.

The report explained, “there are 3,500 deaths per day worldwide from hepatitis infections — 83 percent from hepatitis B, 17 percent from hepatitis C.”

It stated that there are effective and cheap generic drugs which can treat these viruses, saying that only three percent of those with chronic hep B received antiviral treatment by the end of 202.

The report said for Hepatitis C, 20 percent or 12.5 million people had been treated, explaining that the results fall well below the global targets to treat 80 percent of all people living with chronic hepatitis B and C by 2030.

He explained that the overall rate of hepatitis infections did fall slightly.

A Sokoto Muslim cleric, Sheikh Musa Lukwa, on Tuesday, led his followers to observe Eid prayer.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, had on Monday, declared Wednesday, as the day of Eid-el-Fitr.

The Sultan, who is the President General of Nigeria’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said the decision followed the report of National Moon Sighting Committees across the country, which confirmed the non-sighting of the new moon.

A statement signed by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs to the Sultanate Council, Prof Sambo Junaidu, made available to newsmen in Sokoto on Monday evening, said, “The council accepted the report and accordingly declared Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH.

However, Lukwa flouted the Sultan’s directive on moon sighting as he conducted prayers at his Juma’at mosque around 8:30am. on Tuesday.

Justifying the action, Lukwa said the moon of Shawwal was sighted in neighbouring Niger Republic on Monday.

He said, “There were reports of sightings of the new crescent in many places, including here in Nigeria, but the one that we were sure of is that of Niger Republic.

“We have a verified video clip of their council of Ulamah authenticating the report after which the country declared Tuesday as Sallah day. So it is now binding on us to observe Eid on Tuesday because this is what the teachings of the Holy Prophet says.

“If we can accept that of Saudi Arabia, why can’t we agree with that of Niger Republic, which is nearer to us.

“I am not saying all Nigerian Muslims must observe their Eid prayer on Tuesday, but we have no moral justification not to observe our prayer on Tuesday because the new moon was sighted by our neighbours. And remember, there is no fasting on Sallah day. It is prohibited.”

Lukwa has been defying Sultan’s directives, accusing the monarch of forcing Muslims to accept the moon sighting of Saudi Arabia, which he believes is against the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The cleric, however, challenged any scholar with a contrary view to a public debate.

Kogi State Government has debunked any outbreak of Lassa fever across the 21 local government areas of the State.

Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza while reacting to a viral video of an alleged lassa fever outbreak, noted that a student who was admitted to the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja did not die of lassa fever.

According to the Commissioner, it was reported that the student died of hemorrhagic fever.

The Commissioner explained that the deceased student who was admitted at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja presented complaints of fever and bleeding from the gum.

He added that the patient was being investigated and managed, while samples were taken and sent to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC) Abuja, but before the result was released, he had lost his life.

The Commissioner said the result came out to be negative for lassa fever.In his words, ”the suspected case has turned out to be negative for lassa fever.

“It is not only lassa fever that can make a patient to present bleeding from the gum. Other reasons could include blood dyscrasias and bleeding disorders”.

He advised members of the public to disregard the report as no case of lassa fever has been reported in the state.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kaduna on Monday began a special Eid-el-Fitr patrol, reiterating its commitment to sanitising all roads in the state.

The sector commander of the corps, Kabir Nadabo, stated this at the commencement of the patrol at the Kawo motorpark in the Kaduna metropolis.

Mr Nadabo said the special patrol was for the command to achieve crash-free festivities.

According to him, the command has outlined strategies to ensure that the special operations are conducted across the entire state.

Mr Nadabo said all the instruments to enhance the success of the operations had been put in place.”

They include putting adequate human and material resources on ground and collaboration with sister security agencies such as the Nigerian Police, NSCDC, and SSS,” he said.

Mr Nadabo said flash points, such as areas susceptible to traffic gridlock, have all been identified for adequate deployment of personnel for effective traffic control.

“The command has set aside 14 Hilux vehicles, five power bikes, five ambulances, and one tow truck for effective operations.

“The strategic routes of Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Zaria, and Kaduna-Pambegua, which have the highest volume of traffic, will be adequately manned by operatives of the corps,” he added.

Mr Nadabo said the corps has stationed operatives along the construction area from Command Secondary School down to Peugeot Junction, and down to Abuja Bridge for traffic control and prompt removal of obstructions.

He said, “May I also add that for the first time in Kaduna, only three crashes were recorded within a period of 21 days. This is primarily due to home-grown initiatives birthed and implemented by the command.”

Mr Nadabo said the corps was poised to continue to work hard to ensure the mandate of the corps.

The sector commander appreciated the Kaduna State government for its continuous support of FRSC activities.

He also lauded sister security agencies and transport unions for their commitment to assist the corps when the need arose.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and sunshine across the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Thursday predicted a sunny atmosphere over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Friday.

The agency forecasted isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kebbi, Zamfara and Kaduna states during the afternoon and evening periods.

According to the agency, sunny skies with few cloud patches are expected over the North-Central during the morning hours.

It said later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi and Kwara.

The southern region “should be cloudy with spells of sunshine,” with more cloud build-up expected over the coastal parts and chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom during the morning hours.

Isolated thunderstorms are expected over the South-West inland, including the coastal parts of Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa.

NiMet predicted sunny skies on Saturday with few cloud patches over parts of the North-West and parts of the North-East, which will be sunny and dry during the morning hours.

The agency anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kebbi, Zamfara, Taraba, and Kaduna later in the day.

According to NiMet, the North-Central area should be sunny with few cloud patches in the morning.

The forecast noted that isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Niger, Abuja, Kogi and Kwara.

The NiMet outlook said the southern region should be cloudy with spells of sunshine. It also mentioned that more cloud build-up is expected over the coastal parts, with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Ogun states during the morning hours.

According to the weather report, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated in the afternoon and evening over parts of Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa.

NiMet forecasted sunny skies on Sunday with few cloud patches over the northern region. It envisaged sunny skies with few cloud patches over the North-Central region with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Niger, Abuja, Kwara and Kogi in the morning.

The agency anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Nasarawa, Niger, Abuja and Plateau states later in the day.

The southern region “should be cloudy with spells of sunshine,” the report said, with cloud build-up anticipated over the coastal parts during the morning hours.

Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Rivers, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Bayelsa.

“Strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur. The public should take adequate precaution,” it said.

NiMet urged airlines to get updated weather reports and forecasts from its office for effective planning in their operations.

The Nigerian Army has said a minor explosion occurred in a farmland near the Mammy Market within the Ikeja Cantonment in Lagos on Monday.

This is contained in a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, in Abuja.

Mr Nwachukwu said the explosion was suspected to have been triggered by the burning of refuse and other inflammable debris by a farmer who cultivated the farmland.

According to him, no casualty was recorded in the incident.

He said, “However, given that the cantonment was recently cleared and certified free of unexploded ordinances, we understand that there could be concerns among the general public as a result of the historical antecedent of explosion within the cantonment.

The Nigerian army therefore wishes to assure the public that the situation is under control as its Engineers Explosive Ordnance Disposal team has cordoned off the area of the farmland to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion.

“We urge residents in the general area not to panic and assure them of their safety,” he said.

The Ogun State Government has said 70,000 persons will enjoy free access to healthcare for one year under its health insurance scheme.

Executive secretary of the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Afolabi Dosunmu, made this known to journalists on Saturday in Abeokuta.

Mr Dosunmu said that in addition to paying their premiums, registered patients would also access the free surgical intervention announced by Governor Dapo Abiodun in January.

He disclosed that over 1000 surgeries had been performed since the beginning of March, adding that the number of patients who thronged the facilities for the screening exceeded the expected average.

He noted that some patients who could not get their surgeries done immediately were referred to another level of care to be operated on at a later date for some reasons.

“The governor had instructed us to enroll 70,000 people for free medical care but he insisted that we gather people that need one surgical intervention or the other and that was how we started that journey.

“Of course, there’s a process; when you get there, they enroll you on insurance; you see a doctor who screens you and look at if that surgery can be done now or later. There are some people with high blood pressure, some with high blood sugar and other conditions and of course we can’t do surgeries for those ones but they’ll get it done at a later date because they already have our card,” he said.

Mr Dosunmu, however, lamented that many prospective or referred patients refused to collect their insurance, which is their guarantee for free medical and surgical services.

He urged patients that registered and were screened but given later dates for their surgeries, to visit the facility to collect their cards.

“We now have issues with the insurance card that we enrolled them with; a lot of people are not coming back and we’ve started calling them but they’ve not come back for those cards. It is because they don’t understand that it is by having those cards that they can be assured that the surgery will be done for them later. The card guarantees that for the next one year, you get free medical and surgical treatment,” he added.

Mr Dosunmu said the state government committed N900 million to state health insurance and free surgical intervention.

According to him, the intervention is basically aimed at eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for the vulnerable population and also achieving universal health coverage.

The Ogun State Police Command has announced that a member of the Celestial Church of Christ, Oriyarin Parish, Mowe in Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of the state, Oladapo Oluwaseyifunmi, who was kidnapped on Thursday, has regained his freedom.

The police had, two days ago, confirmed the abduction of Seyifunmi and Oluboboye Abiola who were kidnapped from the church when some gunmen invaded the worship place.

Earlier, through the command’s X account, Police spokesperson in the state, Omolola Odutola, said “report at my disposal 28/3/2024 at about reveals that unidentified gunmen, invaded a Celestial Church around Oriyarin village, Mowe and abducted one Oladapo Seyifunmi, Oluboboye Abiola, and escaped through the thick forest behind the Church”.

Also on the command’s Facebook page, on Saturday, the command’s publicist announced that one of the two kidnapped worshippers had been freed.

She said, “We are pleased to inform members of the public that one Oladapo Oluwaseyifunmi, Shepherd of the Celestial Church kidnapped, has been rescued through the relentless combing of the forest by policemen, hunters, VGN, Amotekun. He has been reunited with his family”.

The police was, however, silent on the second abductee.

When contacted on the whereabouts of the second person, Odutola said, “The second person has not been released and we are on the trail of the kidnappers.”

Four persons have lost their lives in an auto crash at Rinji village along the Bauchi-Jos road in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Three others sustained severe injuries in the said accident involving eight people which occurred last Saturday.

The state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Patrick Ikaba disclosed this in an interview with journalists on Tuesday, adding that only one person survived the crash.

He said the collision involved a Mercedes Benz and a commercial Opel Vectra vehicle, resulting in the death of three males and one female.

He added that a total of N1.6 million was also recovered from the bodies of three deceased persons.

Ikaba said, “During the rescue operation, a substantial sum of money was found on the bodies of three occupants of the vehicles. Regrettably, these funds were discovered on the deceased individuals.”

He detailed the amounts found, noting that one of the victims was carrying N1,648,500.

According to him, following proper identification, the money was handed over to the relatives.

The Sector Commander assured that other belongings, besides the recovered money, have also been returned to the next of kin of the deceased.

Speaking in an interview with journalists, Aminu Yahaya, a relative of one of the deceased, confirmed receiving a total sum of N1,648,500 from the FRSC on Monday.

He said, “I want to use this opportunity to express our gratitude to the FRSC especially, with their quick response to the crash which led to the recovery of the money and other items before people with bad intentions got there.

“I collected the money and handed it to the wife of the deceased who has three children, two boys and a baby girl.”

The police in Cross River State have launched a manhunt for “one chance” syndicate across Calabar metropolis.

The state Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, who frowned at the increasing rate of the menace, made this known in a statement through the command’s spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo.

In the statement on Tuesday, the commissioner said the measures included increased patrols on public transport, increased surveillance, and harsher penalties for those caught.

Mr Grimah said that the aim was to make it more difficult for the groups to operate, and to deter others from joining them.

The CP noted that the one syndicate operated by luring unsuspecting victims into vehicles under false pretences, only to rob them of their belongings or even subject them to violence.

“This criminal activity has not only caused fear among residents but has also tarnished the state’s reputation. As a result, we have deployed additional resources and intensified surveillance efforts across the state, especially this Easter season.

In the same vein, special operations targeting known hot spots and routes frequently attended by the syndicate are underway,” he stated.

The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities promptly.

He emphasised the commitment to ensure the safety and security of residents.

“We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to dismantle this criminal network and bring those responsible to justice,” he said.

The CP also called for collaboration and support from the public, urging residents to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies and provide valuable information that could lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators.

The Ijaw National Congress declared on Sunday that the law must take its course in the killing of officers and men of the Nigerian Army at Okuama, Delta State.

Some persons in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta ambushed and killed 16 officers and men of the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army on a peace mission to the community on March 14.

Those killed were the battalion’s Commanding Officer, Lt.-Col. AH Ali, two majors, a captain, and 12 soldiers.In a statement on Sunday in Abuja, INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, stated that in a country like Nigeria, a constitutional democracy, the killing of the military men was condemnable.

He said, “The INC has made a series of statements condemning the senseless, brutal and cold blooded killing of military officers performing their legitimate duties in Delta. It is the unalloyed position of the INC that those found culpable should be apprehended, properly investigated and subjected to the dictates of the law. The INC is unequivocal in its demand that the law should be allowed to take its course.

’’The INC cautioned that innocent Okuoma community people should not be lumped together with culpable community members, stressing that it was only the culpable that should be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The INC president also debunked a story which he stated was circulating that ljaw youths were planning attacks on security and oil installations.

The INC president stated, “The INC appeals that this information be dismissed as wicked and malicious falsehood intended to cause trouble and unwarranted crises in ljawland and by extension, in the Nigeria Delta. The Ijaw ethnic nationality is not at war with the Federal Government or with any other ethnic nationality.’’

He explained that the operation was in conjunction with other security agencies.

According to the PPRO, one AK47 rifle, 2, 000 rounds of live ammunition and three vehicles were also recovered.

He said, “The command, acting on credible intelligence in a joint operation with sister security agencies on March 21, stormed a suspected gunmen’s hideout in a forest within Omini community in the Izzi LGA of Ebonyi State.

“The hoodlums, sighting the operatives, opened fire on them but in the ensuing gun duel, three members of the gang were neutralised, five arrested while others escaped.

“Three Sienna Vehicles, snatched from different individuals and used by the hoodlums to perpetrate heinous crimes, were recovered from the camp. The exhibits recovered from the den indicate that the gang is responsible for the recent attacks and killing of police officers in the state.

“Exhibits recovered in the course of the operation include; One AK47 rifle with 16 rounds of live ammunition. A bag containing 2,000 rounds of live ammunition. A police warrant card among others.’’

The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Augustina Ogbodo, commended the officers involved in the operation for their gallantry.

Mr Ukandu said the CP assured residents that the command would not relent in its fight against crime, and would be committed to the protection of lives and property in Ebonyi State.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has pardoned 96 inmates from various correctional facilities across the state.

The amnesty, granted under the Constitution of Nigeria, includes payment of fines and transportation allowances totaling over N20 million.

According to the governor, only inmates with minor offenses and those unable to pay fines, were selected for the amnesty program, adding that he refused to grant amnesty to those serving long terms for capital offences in order not to encourage the commission of such offences.

Mohammed then announced that each of the pardoned inmates will receive the sum of N100,000 to start a new business to sustain themselves and become good citizens.

He charged them not to see themselves as prisoners but to be free to reintegrate into society and to behave well henceforth.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy who doubles as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hassan U. EI-Yakub, SAN disclosed that the Advisory Council received a total of 106 applications from convicts seeking mercy, pardon, or clemency from the Executive Governor.

He stated that, after thorough scrutiny and consideration, 96 deserving inmates were selected and recommended for approval, adding that the governor swiftly endorsed the council’s recommendations, demonstrating his compassion and benevolence.

The breakdown of the inmates by location is as follows: 17 inmates are from Bauchi Correctional Centre, 7 inmates are from Alkaleri Correctional Centre, 10 inmates are from Azare Correctional Centre, 6 inmates are from Bogoro Correctional Centre, 8 inmates are from Ningi Correctional Centre, 8 inmates are from Burra Correctional Centre.Othere are 3 inmates are from Misau Correctional Centre, 7 inmates are from Darazo Correctional Centre, 3 inmates are from Jama’are Correctional Centre, 9 inmates are from Tafawa Balewa Correctional Centre, 5 inmates are from Toro Correctional Centre, 4 inmates are from Gamawa Correctional Centre, 2 inmates are from Shira Correctional Centre, and 7 inmates are from Zaki Correctional Centre.

The Lagos State Government has vowed to look into the activities of thugs imposing N100 levy on pedestrians using bridges in the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on his official X handle on Wednesday.

Peoples Gazette reported a viral video shared by The Guardian on Instagram which showed an unidentified Lagos thug at two separate occasions collecting N100 levy before allowing women with luggage to use a bridge in the Yaba area of the state.

Mr Wahab in the statement said, “I have been inundated with calls from concerned Lagosians about a viral video of some miscreants collecting money from people using a pedestrian bridge in Yaba, Lagos State. This is quite unfortunate and condemnable.

“Pedestrian bridges are meant for Lagosians to use freely without any hindrance, neither does it require payment to anyone. Environmental nuisance and lawlessness of any kind will not be allowed in Lagos State.

“I appeal to the general public to be calm as the government is already taking action on the unfortunate incident. We remain committed to a safer, healthier and cleaner Lagos State.’’