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NACA seeks strategies to reduce drug use in South South
By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
The South South Zonal Coordinator, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Dr Uduak Daniel, has called on stakeholders to work towards reducing the numbers of people using drugs in the South South zone of Nigeria.
Daniel made the call at the closing ceremony on Drugs Prevention, Treatment and Care Sensitization Training in Relation to HIV due to the COVID-19 lockdown in Uyo on Thursday expressed regret that the zone is ranked second in the country in illicit drug use.
The Coordinator said that healthcare practitioners must advocate for the prevention, treatment and care of drug users, especially those who infected with HIV.
She explained that the professionals must also find innovative ways to address identified gaps in the multi sectorial HIV response.
According to her, the sensitization training is organized by NACA and the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime to build the capacity of front line health responders to HIV/AIDS issues.
“This sensitisation is necessary because even in the South South zone and South-South states not much awareness has been done about drugs and the impact of drugs.
“There are already implementers in the zone and in the state that are already equip to provide services to people who inject drugs.
“This is policy’s makers training, is for the state Agency for the Control of AIDS, for implementing partners in different states. It is for people who inject drugs themselves, so is basically for the policy making people.” Daniel said.
In his remarks, the National Project Officer of the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime, Drug Demand Reduction, Mr Akan-idomo Ibanga, said that the country’s annual rate for the number of people who use drugs was 14 per cent while that of the south south stood at 16 per cent.
Ibanga said that the regional national rate was higher than the world annual rate and must be a cause for concern for policy makers and health practitioners in the country.
October 22, 2020
#EndSARS: We’ve received reports of crimes — International criminal court
The International Criminal Court has received reports of crimes during the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.
ICC prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, made this known in a statement posted on the Twitter handle of the organisation.
She noted that the court is monitoring developments from the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.
Bensouda said, “My office has been closely following the events around the current protests in Nigeria and the reaction of Nigeria’s law enforcement and security agencies,” she said.
“Any loss of life and injury is concerning. We have received information alleging crimes and are keeping a close eye on developments, in case violence escalates and any indications arise that Rome Statute crimes may have been committed.
“I call for calm and restraint.”
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project had, on Wednesday, said it sent a petition to Bensouda, urging her to “promptly investigate reports that Nigerian authorities, military, and some politicians have used/ and are using thugs, soldiers and security agents to intimidate, harass, attack and kill #EndSARS peaceful protesters in several parts of Nigeria, including Abuja, Lagos, Edo, Osun, Plateau, and Kano states.”
October 22, 2020
Traders desert Gudu market in fear, as man dies
The police have mobilised to the Gudu Market following reports of the killing of an unnamed man in the market on Thursday.
It was learnt that the traders have deserted the usually bustling market located in the Gudu District of Abuja.
A trader identified simply as Victor said everyone left the market in fear after the corpse of a man was found in the vicinity, adding that the market has been shut down.
“Because of the attack by thugs on Tuesday, everyone was afraid that the violence may spread to the market. So, we all locked our shops and ran. I don’t know the circumstances surrounding the man’s death but the market has been shut down,” the trader said on the phone.
The FCT police spokesperson, ASP Mariam Yusuf, confirmed the incident, adding that operatives had been deployed to provide security at the facility.
Details later…
October 22, 2020
BREAKING: Thugs Burn Police Station, Invade Warri Prison, Free Inmates
ension has gripped Delta State as armed thugs set ablaze a police station in Asaba, the state capital, on Thursday.
The miscreants, SaharaReporters gathered, allegedly invaded the Warri Correctional Centre (Okere Prison) in the Warri South Local Government Area of the state, shooting sporadically and setting free some inmates at the facility.

Our correspondent reliably gathered that the thugs numbering over 100 stormed the police station at Akwuofo, Asaba, at about 1:00pm on Thursday and set the entire building on fire.
They moved to the police Special Protection Unit in the area in an attempt to set it ablaze but were repelled by security personnel there.
As at the time of this report, banks and business premises had been shut down in the area for fear of being attacked by the thugs.
It was also learnt a protest was currently ongoing at Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state by young persons, who have barricaded all major roads leading in and out of the community.
Recall that the office of the Federal Road Safety Corps along the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha Expressway and the beautification garden at Koka Junction, Asaba, were on Wednesday night set ablaze by thugs.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had on Thursday morning announced a 48-hour curfew across the state.
The governor also ordered the closure of all public and private schools in the state until November 2, 2020.
October 22, 2020
Plateau State Govt. relaxes curfew
The Plateau State Government on Thursday relaxed the curfew earlier imposed on Jos North and South Local Government Areas.
The announcement Followed resolutions reached at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting chaired by the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, one of which is the need for stakeholders to immediately engage their communities across the state in systematic Peace dialogues aimed at de-escalating tension in the state.
According to Lalong, the government decided on Thursday to relax the curfew earlier imposed on Jos North and South Local Government Areas from 6 am to 8 pm as from Friday, October 23, 2020, until further notice.
This decision was reached after painstaking deliberations with critical stakeholders and careful assessment of the security situation that led to the skirmishes in some parts of the affected local government areas, last Tuesday.
Lalong said “Please note that the government is not unmindful of citizens’ Constitutional Rights to hold a lawful assembly or stage peaceful protests as long as these are carried out within the extant laws of Nigeria.
“As a Government, we also appreciate the fact that these are the variables that further deepen our democracy.
“However, as a deliberate approach to prevent a repeat of last Tuesday’s ugly incident where precious human lives and property were lost, the Government has for now also resolved to ban forthwith any processions and protests under whatever guise in order to safeguard the lives all citizens of the state.”
The Secretary to State Government, Prof. Danladi Atu in a statement on Thursday, said, this is to enable the Government to isolate and deal with those who are bent on disrupting the peace of the State.
“By this notice, we urge all law abiding citizens to go about their legitimate businesses without fear of molestation as the government has put all necessary measures in place to ensure the maintenance of law and order across the state,” he explained.
He said for the avoidance of doubt, the Plateau State government has already set machinery in motion to address the demands raised by the protesters.
He added, “In this light, the government has constituted a committee headed by a retired High Court Judge, Justice Philomena Lot which has since swung into action and ready to receive petitions from those who have cases.
“We sue for understanding and patience from all and sundry as the government takes decisive steps to address the demands of the protesters in the coming weeks.
“We, therefore, call on all citizens to avoid any action that is inimical to the overall development of the state especially those that threaten the peace and unity of our people.”
October 22, 2020
BREAKING: Hoodlums burn Ojodu police station in Lagos
Hoodlums have burnt the Ojodu Police Station at the Berger area of Lagos.
Not less than seven vehicles were also burnt during the invasion.
A resident confirmed to our correspondent that the hoodlums also looted shops close to the police stations.
Operatives of the Lagos State Fire Service have been mobilised to put out the fire.
Details shortly…
October 22, 2020
BREAKING: Gov Obaseki meets Edo youths to address #EndSARS issues
In a bid to address the demand of the End SARS protesters currently going on in Nigeria, the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki is meeting with youths in the state.
The meeting attendants are mostly of the civil society members and the National Association of Nigerian Students.
Details soon..
October 22, 2020
Ikoyi prison under control – FG debunks inmates’ escape
The federal government says the Ikoyi Custodial Centre in Lagos is under control.
Hoodlums attempted to break in on Thursday.
The attackers set some parts of the facility on fire.
Reacting, the Ministry of Interior assured that the situation did not get out of hand.
The government said armed prison operatives, the police and soldiers were protecting the centre.
On the arson, authorities say the Fire Service is containing the inferno.
“Armed squad of the @CorrectionsNg, @CIVILDEFENDERS, @PoliceNG and men of the Nigerian Army are providing security at the facility. @Fedfireng is dealing with the fire.
“Ignore rumours of inmate escaping!”, the ministry tweeted.
October 22, 2020
BREAKING: Gov Obiano declares 24-hour curfew as violence spreads in Anambra
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, on Thursday, declared a 24-hour curfew state-wide as violence spread in different parts of the state.
Hoodlums had burnt the Nnewi Central Police Station and killed two persons around 11pm on Wednesday.
Banks and schools in the state had since shut down as the rampaging thugs attack residents and loot shops.
The governor said he was forced by the prevailing circumstances in the state and in the country to do declare the curfew.
In a state address on Thursday, Obiano said, “I am compelled to address you today by the growing tension across the country ignited by recent efforts by Nigerian youths to ask for a better Nigeria.
“While our beloved state remains largely safe and isolated from the boiling sea outside, we have also recorded a few unpleasant incidents in our domain and there is justifiable anger in the land. But we cannot give it a chance to consume us all.
“Consequently, we are taking precautionary steps to prevent further descent to lawlessness in Anambra State by imposing a 24-hour curfew with effect from 8pm today until we bring this rising tension under control.
“Therefore, all schools and markets in Anambra State are hereby closed. All gatherings by groups and associations under any name or label from 8pm are banned. The law enforcement agencies in the state have been duly directed to enforce compliance.
“However, all law enforcement officers charged with ensuring compliance to the restriction on movement must resist the temptation of applying excessive force while attempting to bring the situation under control.”
October 22, 2020
One feared dead, schools, markets, banks shut as protesters raze station in Nnewi
There is tension in Nnewi, Anambra following the razing of the Central Police Station in the area by hoodlums.
One person was allegedly feared dead during the incident, which occurred around 11pm on Wednesday.

The situation led to the closure of schools, markets, banks and all other offices in the industrial city.
The Nation gathered the hoodlums, who broke the cell to free detainees after burning down the CPS office, proceeded to the Police Area Command but were repelled by officers on duty.
ENDSARS protesters, as early as 6:00am on Thursday, filled the streets, making fire with tires and other inflammable objects at the popular Nkwo Nnewi roundabout and other major streets.
Some were also seen milling up and down with motorcycles.
One of the protesters said they were not happy with police officers in the town because of the activities of Anti-cult unit housed also at CPS.
A medical doctor at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), who preferred anonimity said he saw a lifeless body in front of the burnt CPS.
“They burnt down CPS and another police station last night. They zoomed through the hospital gate this morning. Burn fires everywhere, roads are being closed. A corpse already lying in front of the burnt CPS,” he said.
Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed could not be reached as at press time as his phone was switched off.
October 22, 2020