The Kano State Investigative Panel on Mysterious Deaths has said that only 15.9 per cent of the recently recorded mysterious deaths in the state was COVID-19-related.
The Lead Researcher, Dr Mukhtar Gandanya, who submitted a verbal autopsy report to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje on Tuesday in Kano, said that only 255 people died from novel coronavirus-related cases.
According to Gandanya, findings show that 70 per cent of the deaths was due to hypertension, diabetes and other illnesses.
He said that 60 per cent of those who died were males while 40 per cent were females, and 76 per cent above 50 years.
According to the researcher, who is also the Head of Department of Community Medicine at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, 1,774 people died between April 1 and May 2, in the eight metropolitan local government areas of the state.
“Kano Municipal has the highest number of the mysterious deaths while Tarauni Local Government recorded the highest number of COVID-19 related cases.
He commended the state government for efforts in containing COVID-19 and training healthcare workers.
He urged the government to strengthen death registration at the community level.
Receiving the report, Ganduje said that it had put to rest hypothesis on the mysterious deaths.
“The report of the Federal Government attributing about 60 per cent of the deaths to COVID-19 lacks variables and correlations.
“I am going to personally take the Kano Verbal Autopsy Report to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehinare,” he said.
The office of the Inspector General of Police yesterday began the formal interrogation of police personnel involved in the sporadic shooting that breached security at the State House, Abuja.
The personnel involved in the shooting incident include Aide-de-Camp to the first lady, CSP Usman Shugaba; Escort Commander, DSP Sheriff Kazeem and four riot policemen who were detained last Friday but later released and told to return on Tuesday.
Sources said that police detectives assigned by the IG began interrogation of the suspects Monday.
The interrogation would seek to determine the actual cause of the shooting going by individual accounts and the role played by each personnel during the incident.
The sources said an inventory of the firearms available to the personnel would be taken in order to determine possible misuse and misapplication.
“We are looking at who ordered the shooting. Was your principal in such danger to warrant such use of firearms?
“Did you take into cognisance the implication of such shooting at the Villa? We are starting with these posers and will get to a point where people would be held accountable,” a source said.
When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr. Frank Mba, declined comment.
A shooting occurred Thursday night when the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari; three of her children– Zahra, Halima, Yusuf– and some of her security aides, led by Shugaba, stormed the residence of President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew and Personal Assistant, Sabiu Yusuf, within the precinct of the State House.
They had insisted that Yusuf, who had just returned from Lagos, the epicentre of COVID-19 in Nigeria, should proceed on self-quarantine for 14 days to save the president and his family from possible exposure to COVID-19, but the presidential aide rebuffed them.
“I got married 8 months ago, my hubby earns 70k monthly while I am yet to get a job, during our wedding ceremony, hubby spent about 580k on the list given to him for the trad wedding, I persuaded my parents to reduce the list but they said it is a must and a tradition.
He was able to raise the Money bag as I wasnt working and I couldn’t help financially. After marriage I suggested that he should be sending something monthly to my parent as he do send to his parent too, but to my surprise the reply he gave me was that he didn’t owe my parent anything that they have collected all they are entitled to from him, initially I was not angry about that until my younger brother wanted to get married and his bride family gave him list of things for the traditional wedding which is amounted to 400k.
My dad then shared the expenses and told my husband to contribute 120k towards my brother’s wedding but to my surprise, my husband said no and told me that my family has collected all they wanted during our wedding and they shouldn’t come to him for any financial assistance.
“This got me angry and I told him that he is not responsible. Ever since then we have been living like strangers in the house, he doesn’t talk to me, he has just been keeping to himself, and I have never seen him this way before not even in our 2yrs of courting..
Please our mummies and daddies kindly advise me on what to do to savor the situation, I am in between my husband and my family.”
Tanzania’s parliament has been dissolved ahead of elections due in October, with President John Magufuli pledging a “free and fair” vote in a country where the opposition has decried a climate of fear and violence.
Magufuli, who took office in 2015 promising a crackdown on corruption but whose time in office has drawn criticism by rights groups, urged all political parties to “avoid insults and violence” while campaigning.
The constitution requires that the 393-seat legislature be dissolved ahead of the elections. The vote is scheduled for October but the precise date has not yet been set.
“I want to assure everyone that the elections will be free and fair, for all political parties,” Magufuli, who is expected to seek a second five-year term, said in an address to legislators.
The dissolution comes just days after Tanzanian opposition leader Freeman Mbowe, who has announced his intention to run against Magufuli, was allegedly beaten and hospitalised in what his Chadema party said was a “politically-motivated” attack.
The European Union mission in the country denounced the alleged assault as an “attack against democracy” while the US and British embassies also expressed concern.
Tanzanian police have cast doubt on the allegations.
Chadema says attacks against the party and its supporters have risen sharply under Magufuli, whose administration has been accused by rights groups of eroding democratic freedoms.
The government has denied seeking to stifle dissent.
Chadema and other opposition parties including Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT Wazalendo) have called for an independent monitor to oversee the elections, warning they will not be free otherwise.
“The current setup of the electoral commission does not guarantee free polls, as it favours the ruling party. The chairman and some other officials are appointed by the president, who is the ruling party leader,” said ACT Wazalendo chairman Seif Sharif Hamad.
In November, the governing Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party won more than 99 percent of seats in local elections boycotted by the opposition over allegations of government interference. The government denied foul play.
It is rejoicing in the home of Nollywood actor Browny Igboegwu and his wife as they finally welcome a beautiful baby girl after 10 years of marriage.
The actor took to his official Instagram page to share the good news with lovely photos of when his wife was still pregnant. According to him, it was God who did it and not the work of man.
“This took 10years to come who can battle with the Lord, I say nobody,” he said.
The film star said he was advised to get another wife as age was no longer on his wife’s side. He was also advised to get another woman pregnant, asking how long he would wait for.
He said that he was even taunted with his situation that when he acquires new thing, people look past it to ask him for his child.
“Is it by buying new car? Let him born, you no go understand because you never born. Don’t worry when you born you will understand. I love this couple you will never know they don’t have a child, God help them even if it’s one. Your children must be up to four now it’s been long you got married.”
Actor Browny said that people mocked his pain but he always took it to God in prayers and he gave him a reason to return praises to him.
Nigeria on Tuesday recorded 31 COVID-19 related deaths, the highest number of fatalities, the Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) has said.
The centre also confirmed 490 new cases of the COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 17,148.
The NCDC announced this on it’s official Twitter handle.
It said that, as at June 16, 2020, the new cases were recorded in 16 states while no new state reported a case in the last 24 hours.
The NCDC said that Lagos reported the highest number of cases with 142 new cases and FCT was second with 60 new infections.
”The 490 new cases are reported from 16 states- Lagos(142), FCT(60), Bayelsa(54), Rivers(39), Delta(37), Oyo(30), Kaduna(26), Imo(23), Enugu(19), Kwara(17), Gombe(11), Ondo(10), Bauchi(8), Ogun(7), Borno(6), Benue(1).
The NCDC said that till date,17,148 cases have been confirmed, 11,070 active cases 5,623 cases have been treated and discharged deaths, 96, 402 samples have been collected, and 455 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Meanwhile, NCDC said that Lagos State recorded 25 deaths between June 12 and 15 ; and they were all announced on June, 16.
NAN reports that Investigators working on the United Kingdom-based recovery trial announced that Dexamethasone, a low-cost and widely available steroid that lowers inflammation, improved patients’ chances of surviving severe COVID-19.
During the study, about 2,100 COVID-19 patients were treated with dexamethasone for 10 days. Patients on mechanical ventilation who were given Dexamethasone were 35 percent less likely to die compared to patients on ventilators who did not get the treatment.
In patients on less invasive forms of breathing support, Dexamethasone decreased the risk of death by 20 per cent while patients who did not require any respiratory help saw no improvements after taking the steroid.
The NCDC said that it is aware of recent outcomes from a UK-Government funded clinical trial for COVID-19.
It said that the results support the use of Dexamethsaone as a possible treatment to reduce the risk of death among COVID-19 patients, who require oxygen or mechanical ventilation.
The health agency called on Nigerians to note that the Government of Nigeria has not validated or approved any treatment for COVID-19.
In addition, the NCDC said that the use of Dexamethasone for COVID-19 treatment has not been validated by World Health Organisation (WHO).
“We are aware of ongoing clinical trials conducted by scientists in the UK and will work with our sister agencies to evaluate this emerging data on the use of Dexamethasone.
“We will inform the general public on outcomes following scientific review and validation,” it said.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, has condemned the rise in the incidents of rape and gender-based violence in the country. He also voiced his support for victims and survivors of such crimes, describing rape as “a brutal crime that attacks the mind, body, and soul.”
“The youth are the greatest victims of rape and we condemn this inhumane act in the strongest terms. We will join the vanguard against rape and ask for the stiffest penalty possible,” he said in a statement from his media office.
According to the minister, such acts must not be allowed to continue to take root in the Nigerian society and the ministry will champion the fight against the dastardly act as prescribed in the National Youth Policy. “No Nigerian, whether male or female, should be discriminated against or made a victim anywhere in this country; we must unite to fight against rape in all forms,” he said.
Dare added, “All Nigerian youth must take the responsibility to be on the lookout for their female counterparts and offer them protection. Stigmatising victims must be stopped and completely outlawed.
Troops of Operation Lafiya have killed scores of Boko Haram terrorists and recovered several cache of arms, ammunition and rescued scores of kidnapped victims in the Northeast.
In a statement, the Coordinator Defence Media Operations Maj. Gen John Enenche said many terrorists as well as bandits will continue to succumb to the superior fire power of the military.
Part of the statement reads below:
In the early hours of 14 June 2020, troops of Army Super Camp 11 Gamboru in Ngala LGA of Borno State effectively cleared Kusumu and Warshele Villages which appeared to be the terrorists’ logistics base. The troops also cleared Kumo, Diime and Sabori where they engaged some marauding Boko Haram criminals hibernating in the general area. After the encounter, the troops neutralized 13 Boko Haram criminals and captured 21 locally made guns, 2 Dane guns, one Sniper Rifle, one 36 Hand Grenade, one Improvised Explosive Device Bomb and 2 Boko Haram flags. Other captured items include 5 cutlasses, one digger, one spear, 5 bicycles, 3 motorcycles, 5 carts, 2 loud hailers and one Lister generator. The troops equally rescued 32 captives comprising 16 women and 16 children.
2. Similarly, on 11 June 2020, the troops of Strong Response Area Pulka in Gwoza LGA of Borno State conducted an ambush against Boko Haram elements along Pulka – Bokko – Kirawa Road. Troops made contact with a band of Boko Haram logistics couriers attempting to cross from the Mandara Mountains to Banki axis. The gallant troops neutralized 2 of the criminals while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Additionally, troops recovered 4 bicycles and bags of grains from the fleeing insurgents.
3. Earlier, on 10 June 2020, same troops of Strong Response Area Pulka in conjunction with elements of Borno State Civilian Joint Task Force successfully ambushed and neutralized 3 Boko Haram criminals dressed in foreign military camouflage uniform along Pulka – Firgi – Banki Junction – Sabsawa. The troops also captured 2 AK 47 Rifles loaded with magazines, one Rocket Propelled Gun, one Rocket Propelled Grenade bomb, 5 extra magazines, 45 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one Hand Grenade, one Honda motorcycle, one cell phone and First Aid kits.
4. In a related development, the troops of 151 Task Force Battalion deployed at Strong Response Area Miyanti in Bama LGA of Borno State conducted a robust clearance operation into suspected Boko Haram criminals’ hideout at Miyanti general area. The operation led to the neutralization of one Boko Haram member with one other captured alive.
Similarly, on the same day, the troops of 117 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with elements of Borno State Civilian Joint Task Force sprung an ambush against elements of Boko Haram criminals’ logistics couriers at Gwagwamdi in Askira/Uba LGA of Borno State. The successful ambush operation led to the neutralization of one of the Boko Haram criminals while others escaped with gunshot wounds as evident by the blood spills along their withdrawal route.
Additionally, the troops captured one AK 47 Rifle, 2 AK 47 Rifle magazines, 27 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 8 bicycles and bags of foodstuff and clothing materials. Additionally, a Toyota Starlet vehicle belonging to the insurgents was burnt during the fire fight.
5. Also on the same day, the combined troops of 242 Battalion, Sector 3 Quick Response Force and elements of Strong Response Area Gajiram while on fighting patrol encountered Boko Haram criminals mounted on 3 Gun Trucks at Jilgata in Nganzai LGA of Borno State.
In the process, the gallant troops eliminated 5 of the terrorists and recovered 4 AK 47 Rifles. One Malam Hassan Bukar earlier abducted by the Boko Haram criminals was rescued while one Toyota Land Cruiser jeep was also recovered by the gallant troops.
6. The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai commends the troops for their resilience and patriotism in crushing the remnants of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province criminals and urges them to maintain the tempo as we approach the end of insurgency in the Country. Equally, the High Command of the Nigerian Military appreciates troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE for their unwavering commitment in the Theatre.
Sen. Ajimobi was the party’s Deputy National Chairman for the southern region and is a former Governor of Oyo state.
In a statement signed by party spokesman Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu late Tuesday, the APC said its National Working Committee (NWC) had been guided by the party’s legal department in line with the provisions its constitution.
“According to Section 14.2. (iii),of the APC constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, North/South ‘Shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman from his zone’,” the statement said.
The Court of Appeal, earlier on Tuesday, had upheld the suspension of erstwhile National Chairman, Oshiomhole, by an Abuja High Court.
Ruling on the interlocutory appeal filed by Comrade Oshiomhole, the appellate court upheld the decision of the Federal Capital Territory High Court delivered by Justice Danlami Senchi which in March ordered the suspension of Oshiomhole as well as restraining him from parading himself as the National Chairman of the party.
Read the full statement:
Sen. Abiola Ajimobi to Serve As APC Acting National Chairman
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has received the news indicating the Appeal Court has upheld the suspension of the Party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by an FCT High Court pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Guided by advice from the Party’s legal department in line with the provisions of Section 14.2. (iii) of the Party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Sen. Abiola Ajimobi will serve as the Party’s Acting National Chairman.
According to Section 14.2. (iii),of the APC constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, North/South “Shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman from his zone”.
SIGNED
Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu
National Publicity Secretary
All Progressives Congress (APC)
