SA News

FCTA's Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a stern warning to public and private healthcare facilities across the territory, vowing to impose sanctions on any institution found negligent in the management of snakebite cases. The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, said in a statement that the Administration would no longer tolerate breaches of approved clinical protocols, especially in cases involving medical emergencies that are largely preventable with timely and appropriate care. Speaking against the backdrop of the recent death of Ms. Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene from neurotoxic complications following a snakebite, Dr. Fasawe described the incident as a painful reminder of the consequences of delayed or inadequate medical response. She stressed that all snakebite cases must be treated as medical emergencies and presumed veno...

The Nigeria Prizes have opened entries for the 2026 competition cycle, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Poetry, and Documentary Filmmaking. The organisers announced that the Call for Entries officially commenced on Sunday, marking the start of the 2026 edition of the competition, which remains one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for recognising excellence in science, innovation, literature and the creative arts. According to the organisers, the Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation will retain the theme “Innovations in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Technologies for Development”, following a no-winner outcome in the 2025 cycle. Speaking on the launch, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Ms. Sophia Horsfall, said the themes were chosen to reflect global shifts driven by digital technologies and creative expression. She noted that adv...

By Robert Egbe Nigeria’s shift toward a pro-health review of the tax payable by manufacturers of non-alcoholic, sweetened, and carbonated drinks, commonly known as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), has reached a critical moment. Last November, the Senate Joint Committee on Finance, Customs and Excise convened a public hearing in Abuja to consider a bill seeking to amend the existing excise duty framework for SSBs. The bill before the National Assembly, formally titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend Section 21(3) of the Customs, Excise Tariffs, Etc. (Consolidation) Act to Replace the Fixed Ten Naira (N10) Per Litre Excise Duty on Non-Alcoholic, Carbonated Sugar-Sweetened Beverages with a Percentage Levy Based on Retail Price, and to Provide for the Earmarking of a Portion of the Revenue for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Programmes”, marks a significant policy turning point. Sponsored by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo, the bill is grounded in growing medical and public health eviden...

A coalition of human rights, environmental and social justice organisations has condemned the Lagos State Government over what it described as systemic and illegal forced evictions in several communities across the state. In a joint statement, the groups accused the government of carrying out demolitions and displacements in communities including Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode Onirin, Otumara and Baba-Ijora, without adequate notice, consultation, compensation or resettlement plans. The statement was jointly signed by Israel Idowu, Student Coordinator of the Makoko Waterfront Community; Comrade Abiodun Ahmed, Chairman of Owode Motor Spare Parts Market; Comrade Tunde Yusuf, Secretary of the Ajegunle Peoples Movement (APM); Olanrewaju Olusegun, Secretary of the Coalition of Oworonshoki Demolition Victims; Betty Abah, Founder of the Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE); Comrade Alex Omotehinse, President of the Center for Human and Social Economic Right...

Commissioner of Police, Kano State, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori The Kano State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the killing of a housewife and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters, Kano, on January 17, 2026. According to a statement issued by the command's Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the arrest followed an intelligence-led operation carried out on the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun. Kiyawa said the suspects, Umar Auwalu, 23, of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters; Isyaku Yakubu, also known as Chebe, 40, of Sagagi Quarters; and Yakubu Abdulaziz, also known as Wawo, 21, of Sabon Gida Sharada Quarters, were apprehended during a sting operation conducted between 10:00 p.m. on January 17 and 4:00 a.m. on January 18, 2026. According to him, Umar Auwalu, identified as the leader of the group and a nephew of the deceased woman, confessed to the crime during interrogation.  He also allegedly a...

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin and recovered a prohibited firearm and ammunition during an operation in the state. According to a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, on January 14, 2026, the suspect, Mohammed Ibrahim, aged 30 and a native of Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was apprehended on January 10, 2026, at about 7:46 p.m., by operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annex, following credible intelligence. Iringe-Koko said Ibrahim is suspected to be involved in several kidnapping operations for ransom, particularly along the Port Harcourt International Airport Road, Omagwa, where he allegedly terrorised residents and commuters. She said the suspect was arrested while reportedly planning to relocate his operational camp and weapons to the Agbonchia-Oyigbo Road area in Eleme Local Government Area ...