SA News

CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa and the recovered illicit drugs  Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested a 42-year-old man, Musa Zuberu, for alleged drug peddling and recovered a large quantity of substances suspected to be illicit drugs. The suspect was apprehended on February 11, 2026, at about 1:40 p.m. by operatives attached to the Command’s Crack Tactical Squad during a routine patrol along Camp 1, Iva Valley, Enugu. According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of a large quantity of weed suspected to be marijuana, including synthetic variants popularly known as “Canadian Loud” and “Colorado” (“Colos”), as well as other suspected illicit substances. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, said investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected drug network, with a view to dismantling illicit drug distribution channels across the state. The Com...

... Warns of Rising Youth Exposure and Regulatory Gaps (L-R) Olamide Martins, Ogunlade Associate Director Climate Change and Extractives at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA; Ummi Musa Umar, Executive Director, Call Off Cancer Initiative; Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director CAPPA; Mary-Anne Etiebet, Executive Director and CEO of Vital Strategies; Zikora Ibeh, Assistant Executive Director CAPPA; and Aaron Schwid, Public Health Executive at Vital Strategies during the media presentation of CAPPA's latest report 'New Smoke Trap: Emerging Nicotine & Tobacco Products, Youth Exposure and Policy Gaps in Nigeria.' in Lagos on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has raised alarm over the rapid proliferation of new and emerging nicotine and tobacco products in Nigeria, warning that regulatory gaps and aggressive marketing are exposing young people to addiction and long-term health risks. Sp...

AIG Olatunji Disu The Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) has urged the newly appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, AIG Olatunji Disu, to uphold integrity, transparency and professionalism in the discharge of his duties. In a statement by its President, Olalekan Olabulo, the association said the position demands ethical leadership and strict adherence to the rule of law, given the strategic importance of the FCID Annex in the country’s criminal investigation architecture. CRAN noted that AIG Disu’s appointment by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, comes at a critical time when public confidence in investigative processes must be strengthened through accountability and high professional standards. The association acknowledged AIG Disu’s extensive experience spanning over three decades, including his service as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, Head of the Intelligence...

  A male motorist has been killed and his wife critically injured when a granite-laden articulated truck toppled onto their Toyota saloon car at Eleko Junction along the Lekki-Ajah Expressway. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, that the fatal crash occurred in the early hours of Thursday, February 12th, 2026.  According to preliminary reports, the truck, which was travelling from the Epe axis at high speed, reportedly suffered brake failure as it approached Eleko Junction. The mechanical malfunction led to a loss of control, causing the truck to veer off course and collide with the Toyota saloon car heading inward Epe from the Ajah axis. The impact forced the truck to overturn and fall on the smaller vehicle, crushing it. Officials said the driver of the Toyota car, who was trapped in the wreckage, was later extricated through a joint rescue effort by ...

Assistant Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has assumed duty as the 55th AIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos. AIG Disu, whose appointment takes effect from February 9, 2026, succeeds AIG Margaret Ochalla, who is currently undergoing a short-term professional training programme in the United States, according to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, FCID Annex, ASP Mayegun Aminat. AIG Disu, a native of Lagos State, is a senior police officer with more than three decades of experience spanning operational, investigative and strategic policing.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University, in addition to multiple Master’s degrees in Public Administration and Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology. He also possesses an Advanced Diploma in Forensic Investigation. He joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992 and has served in several key leadership positions acro...

CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has welcomed the commissioning of Nigeria’s first dedicated Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) treatment facility, describing it as a major milestone in the country’s chemicals and waste management framework. The facility, inaugurated on December 18, 2025, in Abuja, was established under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In a statement issued on Monday, CAPPA said the facility represents a significant step towards addressing the long-standing challenge of managing hazardous chemical wastes in Nigeria, particularly persistent organic pollutants such as PCBs. Polychlorinated biphenyls are toxic chemical substances known for their environmental persistence, bioaccumulation and long-range transport. CAPPA noted that PCBs have been scientifically ...

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has expressed solidarity with millions of people affected by cancer worldwide, while urging Nigerian authorities to confront the growing link between cancer and the country’s broken food system. In a statement to mark the World Cancer Day 2026, themed “United by Unique,” the public interest organisation warned that cancer is no longer a distant threat in Nigeria but a rapidly growing public health crisis.  It cited figures from the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment showing that the country records no fewer than 72,000 cancer-related deaths and over 120,000 new cases annually. CAPPA noted that while genetic and environmental factors contribute to cancer risk, mounting evidence increasingly links the rise in colorectal, breast and prostate cancers to unhealthy diets, ultra-processed foods, and the way food is produced, marketed and consumed in Nigeria. The organisation therefore called on federal ...

The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on Nigerian policymakers to urgently regulate the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages, warning that weak oversight is allowing corporate interests to undermine public health, particularly during festive periods. Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos while presenting a new report titled Unhealthy Food Hijack of Festive Periods in Nigeria, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said incremental policy responses were no longer sufficient given Nigeria’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases. Oluwafemi noted that food and beverage companies increasingly exploit festive periods such as Christmas and New Year to aggressively promote sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods, embedding them in cultural and religious celebrations through advertising, sponsorships, and branded donations. He warned that reliance on industry self-regulation has failed, describing it as largely cosmetic and ineffecti...

The Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) has congratulated the Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin, on his promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), describing the advancement as a recognition of professionalism and effective public communication. In a statement signed by its President, Olalekan Olabulo, the association said ACP Hundeyin’s elevation reflects his role in strengthening engagement between the Police and the public through transparent and responsible information management. CRAN noted that during his tenure as Force Public Relations Officer, Hundeyin demonstrated a balanced approach to security communication, ensuring operational sensitivity while promoting the public’s right to accurate and timely information. The association also commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for approving the promotion, stating that the decision underscores the Police leadership’s commitment ...

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its zero tolerance for traffic violations following the arrest of a Dangote truck driver involved in a serious head-on collision along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway that left three passengers critically injured. According to a statement by Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, the crash occurred at Mosafejo-Aradagun when the articulated truck reportedly attempted an illegal U-turn and collided with an oncoming commercial Mazda bus.  Taofiq confirmed that the impact caused severe injuries to three male passengers, who were rescued and rushed to a General Hospital for urgent medical care. He said officials of LASTMA working in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), swiftly secured the scene, apprehended the truck driver, and coordinated the evacuation of the accident vehicles to prevent further disruption and secondary crashes. The Special Ad...

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 ...

Part of the demolished Makoko Community   Human rights and environmental groups, Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE) Nigeria, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), have condemned the Lagos State Government over the ongoing demolition of homes in the Makoko waterfront community, which they say has led to deaths, mass displacement, and the arrest of a youth leader. In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the organisations described the demolitions as a “brutal and unconstitutional assault” on marginalised residents, alleging that the exercise has resulted in the deaths of two babies and an adult, widespread homelessness, and human rights abuses. Late Albertine Ojadikluno and deceased babies They also raised concern over the arrest of Mr. Oluwatobi Aide, popularly known as Woli, a youth leader in Makoko.  According to the groups, Aide was arrested on Monday, Januar...

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that the ongoing electronic membership registration exercise is mandatory, describing it as a critical reform aimed at strengthening party discipline, internal democracy and electoral competitiveness. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party said the e-registration exercise, which began this week and will run until the end of January, provides an opportunity for both existing and new members to be captured in a comprehensive digital membership register. The Lagos APC said the initiative reflects the party’s resolve to embrace modern political organisation, improve data integrity and eliminate practices that undermine cohesion, including duplication, impersonation and unverified membership. According to the party, the digital registration will ensure that all members are properly identified and accounted for, creating a credible and transparent database necessary for effective party administration.  It ad...

The Delta State Police Command has arraigned 33 suspects before a Magistrate Court in Asaba over offences linked to violent disturbances, public nuisance and other breaches of public peace recorded during New Year’s Eve security operations in the state capital. A statement by the command's spokesman, SP Edafe Bright said the arrests were made at different locations within Asaba during intensified patrols mounted to maintain law and order as residents ushered in the New Year.  SP Bright explained that the suspects were arrested for offences ranging from violent conduct and public nuisance to drug-related activities. After preliminary investigations, the Police said 33 suspects were found to have prima facie cases against them and were charged to court.  They were arraigned before Magistrate Court 1, Asaba, where three of the suspects were remanded in custody, while the remaining accused persons were granted bail pending the continuation of prosecution. The Command also dismisse...