News
India’s deadly COVID-19 variant: FG expert panel meets today, plans additional measures
The Federal Government has resolved to introduce additional control measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 strain in India to Nigeria.
The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, who disclosed this in an interview with one of our correspondents on Sunday, said the issue would be discussed at the ministerial experts’ committee meeting on Monday (today).
India is currently witnessing what has been described as a devastating second wave of COVID-19 with confirmed cases and deaths increasing in the past weeks.
The country is said to recording more than a quarter million cases per day.
One of the new variants circulating in India is referred to as the “double mutant” though it is officially called B.1.617.
With many Indians in Nigeria and the fact that the index case of the virus in the country was an Italian, there are concerns that the Indian strain may find its way into Nigeria if proper control measures are not put in place.
The PUNCH therefore asked the minister on Sunday the efforts being made by the Federal Government to prevent the strain from entering Nigeria.
Although he said it had been resolved that additional control measures be put in place, Ehanire did not disclose the details.
He however said the issue would form discussions at a meeting holding on Monday (today).
“We resolved to add additional control measures; but we shall discuss all ideas tomorrow (Monday) at the ministerial expert committee meeting,” the minister simply said.
India is said to have overtaken Brazil to become the second-most affected country in the world.
With second wave of wreaking havoc in India, a third mutation in this B.1.617 strain has now been identified in at least four states.
Two of these triple-mutant varieties have been found in samples collected from Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh.
According to an Indian Express report, sources said the Health Ministry was last week briefed about the possibility of a double mutant variant developing another significant mutation and becoming a ‘triple-mutant.’
The report further said West Bengal seems to be becoming the hotspot for such mutations and the new triple mutant could make the virus even more capable of evading human immune response.
According to www.worldometers.info, India currently has 17,306,300 cases out of the world figure 147million; while the country has also recorded 195,116 deaths out of the 3.1million world figure.
It has also recorded 14,296,640 recoveries.
The United States currently has 32,814,104 cases, 586,084 deaths and 25,371,747 recoveries; Brazil has 14,308,215 cases, 389,609 deaths and 12,766,772 recoveries; while United Kingdom has 4,404,882 cases,127,428 deaths and 4,193,828 recoveries.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria as of April 24 was 164,684, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. A total of 2,061 deaths have also been recorded while 154,687 people have recovered from the virus.
According to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, 1,171,515 people have received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the country as of April 25. The percentage of eligible Nigerians who have been vaccinated is 58.2 per cent.
In the data released by the NPHCDA, Lagos State is leading the vaccination drive and has vaccinated 227,718 people, followed by the Federal Capital Territory, 57,368 and Kaduna, 60,918.
The President of the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, in an interview with The PUNCH, expressed concern about low level of testing in the country, particularly rural areas.
“For whatever reasons, African countries, especially Nigeria seem to have a semblance of herd immunity acquisition at this time, evidenced by the decreasing numbers of reported cases and low hospital visits on account of COVID – 19.
“Rarely does one see people on the streets wearing protective face masks, except those who are compelled to wear them on attempts to enter public government buildings or other enclosed spaces.
“It is noteworthy to add that there is insufficient testing still, especially involving those in the villages and hinterlands who don’t have good roads and other resources to access health care. Most of these places are devoid of primary health care facilities.”
Monitor airlines that convey passengers from India – Prof Tomori
Eminent virologist and Chairman, Expert Review Committee on COVID-19, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, told The PUNCH that since Nigeria did not have direct flights coming in from India, the country could not place a ban on flights from India like the United Kingdom has done.
He recalled that this was the challenge during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria in 2020, when Nigeria could not ban flights from China which was the epicentre of the pandemic.
The former Vice Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, however, said airlines that convey passengers indirectly from India to Nigeria must be closely monitored.
Tomori said any attempt by the government to ban persons coming from India would not be productive, adding that Nigeria must focus more on testing and monitoring.
The virologist stated, “We don’t have direct flights from India but there are people that come in through other cities. I know that Ethiopia Airlines goes to India and they bring passengers from India through Addis Ababa to Nigeria. So, with the problem in India, I think it will be good to monitor people coming from there.
“You must be proactive to study the routes through which people come from India. We should have an idea of the main route through which people come from India and other information. You cannot just place a ban. So, we need home-grown information on the airlines they use and the number that usually come in.
“The Presidential Steering Committee must look into this. We need proper targeting.”
Tomori also noted that there was a need for states to do more in monitoring, adding that statistics from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control in recent time showed that some states now test just one sample in a day.
This, he said, was not adequate and was giving the country inaccurate statistics on the rate of infection.
“Some states are testing only one sample in a week. Sometimes only five to eight states send their information to the NCDC. This is why some believe the infection is dropping when in actual fact we are not doing enough testing,” Tomori stated.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, where he said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump became aware of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets, adding that intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.
According to him, the operation yielded significant results in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.
Hegseth added that working on the Intel gathered, they have killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. defence chief described the operation as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the President empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth stated.
ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a coordinated U.S.-Nigeria military operation in northeast Nigeria earlier this month.
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