The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has uncovered a warehouse in Oke-Afa, Okota, Lagos State, stocked with unregistered and expired supermarket items.

NAFDAC made this disclosure on Wednesday night in a statement it shared on its official X account.

“Acting on intelligence, a NAFDAC team raided the facility, apprehending operators offloading a 20ft container filled with unregistered carbonated drinks,” the statement read.

“A further inspection revealed over 14 rooms packed with unregistered and expired products, some of which were contaminated by rats, indicating poor storage conditions.

“The facility was placed on hold, with all operations suspended pending further investigation.”

The agency said it has invited the management to provide sourcing evidence including the Global Listing for Supermarket Items (GLSI) certificate.

It also warned of the risks posed by unregulated products, particularly as the festive season approaches.

NAFDAC has further urged consumers to remain vigilant by verifying product sources and reporting suspicious activities to its nearest office.

The Akwa Ibom State Executive Council on Wednesday in a meeting presided over by Governor Umo Eno approved a draft budget estimate of N955 billion for the 2025 fiscal year.

A breakdown of the estimate shows that while N300b is for recurrent expenditure, N655 billion is for capital projects.

The recurrent expenditure represented a 14 percent decrease from that of 2024 while the capital expenditure of N655b reflects a 13 percent increase compared to 2024.

The commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, made this known in a statement he signed.

Ememobong said the council also approved a supplementary budget of N89b for 2024 being “an augmentation of the N82.4b incorporated into the 2025 appropriation bill.”

“The meeting, chaired by the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno started with the presentation of the 2024 supplementary estimates and the draft recurrent and capital budgets for 2025 by the Honourable Commissioner for Finance,” Ememobong said.

“The supplementary budget reflects savings of N8,922,513,000 and an augmentation of N82,414,029,890, incorporated into the 2024 Appropriation Bill.

“For the 2025 draft estimates, the proposed recurrent expenditure is N300,000,000,000, representing a 14% decrease from last year, while the capital expenditure is pegged at N655,000,000,000, reflecting a 13% increase compared to 2024.”

According to the commissioner, the projected Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is N80,000,000,000, a 28% rise over the 2024 figure, adding that the council approved both estimates and directed their submission to the State House of Assembly for legislative review and further action.

He said the Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, presented a report on pothole assessment and repairs, assuring that the state was on course to achieve a “no pothole” status.

In a major policy review, the council also approved the implementation of a 65-year retirement age for non-academic staff of state-owned tertiary institutions, effective 1st January 2025.

The council also approved the award of road projects across three senatorial districts in the state.

The projects included the construction of a 12.5km road spanning Ibesit-Ikot Oto-Ikot Ekpenyong-Ikot Akama-Itung-Ediene Attai-Ikot Ebak in Oruk Anam and Mkpat Enin LGAs.

Others were the construction of a 2.7km road from Nto Obio Akpan-Ikot Obong-Urua Akpan in Essien Udim LGA, and a 2km road from Ikot Uso-Udo Atan-Nto Obodem Mbiaso in Ikot Ekpene LGA.

Similarly, the construction of a 10.9km road with two 40m-span bridges spanning NSAID’s Use-Use Ikot Amama-Ibiaku Ikot Erica-Itong Nkwot Edem Edet in Ibiono Ibom and Ikono LGAs was also approved.

“Re-award of the 21.5km Ikot Ayan Ediene-Ikot Nita-Urua Naira-Ikot Nseyen-Nkwot-Nnung Ukim road, including a 45m-span bridge, in Ikono LGA,” Ememobong said.

“Construction of a 2km access road to the School of Health Technology in Etinan LGA. Construction of a 7.7km road, including State Housing Road with spur, Ikot Obiokpon/Ibong Road with spur, and Mount Zion Road with spurs in Ikot Ekpene LGA.”

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) neutralised over 50 boko haram members during a cross-fire in Kaduna State.

This is contained in a statement by the NSCDC Spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi.

He said that the incident took place on Monday evening.

Afolabi said that a special monitoring squad comprising of 80 officers and men were deployed to survey and monitor the recently vandalised national grid installation in Shiroro area of Niger state.

He said that the operatives drawn from the Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad (CG SIS) were sent to assess the state of damage, conduct surveillance activities and possibly arrest and bring perpetrators to book.

He said that the team were attacked while crossing from the Shiroro axis after the surveillance and monitoring oversight of the installations.

“ From the top of a hill located at Farin-Kasa, the group opened fire upon sighting the long convoy of the NSCDC monitoring team using different sophisticated weapons.

“The NSCDC operatives in the ambush however not overwhelmed by terrorists, repelled the attack and successfully neutralized over 50 of the terrorists in the crossfire,” he said.

According to him, as at the time of filling this report, about seven operatives of the corps were currently missing.

‘Efforts are currently underway to locate them in the bush. While a few others who sustained various degrees of Injuries are currently undergoing medical treatment in a Medical facility,” he said.

Afolabi added that, the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, while awaiting the full briefing on the incident from the officers on the field described the attack as callous, unfortunate and an attack too many on security operatives who have sworn to the defence of the country.

Audi commended the courage, resilience and gallantry of the operatives in neutralising over 50 of the bandits despite the attack from the mountain top, affirming that the corps is proud of them and would never forget such unflinching commitment.

He said that the corps being the lead agency in the protection of Critical National Asset and Infrastructure (CNAI) will not be deterred by the attack but will strengthen efforts in actualising President Tinubu’s renewed hope aganda.

“The NSCDC will ensure the revival of the power sector for a stable electricity supply nationwide,” he said.

Four Nigerian students in the UK have received prison sentences for participating in a brutal knife altercation in Leicester.

The event reportedly took place on November 4, 2021, on New Park Street, resulting in one victim sustaining several stab injuries.

Leicester City Police uncovered the perpetrators using CCTV recordings, mobile phone tracking, and help from the public.

After a six-week trial that ended in October, the court delivered the verdicts on November 14.

A comprehensive report was shared on the Leicester police website last Thursday.

The students—Destiny Ojo, Habib Lawal, Ridwanulahi Raheem, and Joshua Davies-Ero—all in their early 20s, were handed sentences varying between two and seven years.

Destiny Ojo received a seven-year prison term for charges of violent disorder, attempted grievous bodily harm, and grievous bodily harm with intent.

Lawal was sentenced to five years for related offences, while Raheem received a three-year term for violent conduct and carrying a knife.

Davies-Ero was handed a two-year sentence for his involvement in violent conduct.

Justin Asamoah, a 22-year-old fifth defendant, admitted to possessing a knife and is scheduled for sentencing on November 22.

A Leicester Police spokesperson reportedly praised the public for their support during the investigation and emphasized the importance of addressing violent actions to maintain community safety.

Detective Constable Sean Downey, commenting on the case, said, “This incident underscores the grave dangers of violent disorder. It is fortunate that the injuries sustained were not more severe or fatal. This could have been a very different investigation.”

He added, “We thank everyone who supported the investigation. As a force, our priority is public safety. Violent behaviour will not be tolerated in our communities, and we will continue to take decisive action against offenders.”

The Oyo State Civil Service Commission has concluded arrangements for the Computer-Based Tests (CBT) as part of the ongoing recruitment process with the tests scheduled to hold from Monday, 25 November to Thursday, 28 November 2024. 

The Oyo State Government made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon through a post it shared on its official X account.

“Applicants who successfully logged into the job portal and submitted their applications in line with the Civil Service Commission advert of 7 October 2024 will receive their invites shortly,” the post read.

The tests will take place at two centres. For those who applied for the Education Officer cadre, Youth Development Officer/Assistant cadre, Environmental Health Officer and Technologist cadre, and Social Welfare Officer/Assistant cadres, the tests will hold at the Arch. Bamidele Samson CBT Centre, Opposite UCH, Ibadan, on Monday, 25 November and Tuesday, 26 November 2024. 

Applicants for other cadres are to report to the University of Ibadan Distance Learning CBT Centre, Ajibode, Ibadan, on Thursday, 28 November 2024.

All applicants are required to come with printed copies of their application forms and invite slips to the designated test venues. It is important to note that phones are strictly prohibited in the examination hall under any guise.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, says its anti-vandal team has arrested four suspected vandals at the Diko Junction along Tafa in the Tafa Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State.  

The suspects, who specialise in vandalising critical national assets, including streetlight poles, were apprehended following a routine patrol.  

A statement issued to newsmen in Minna on Friday, November 15, 2024, by the Command’s spokesperson and signed by the State Commandant, Commandant A.A. Kambra, disclosed that on November 13, 2024, the anti-vandal team noticed fallen streetlight poles in a vandalised state while patrolling the Tafa-Diko Junction area. The team responded to the scene and discovered several streetlight poles had been damaged.  

The statement noted that in a bid to ascertain the cause, the anti-vandal team conducted a surveillance operation that led to the arrest of four suspects: Aliyu Abdulkadir (M), 40 years; Zaharadeen Idris (M), 19 years; Kabiru Mai Kaza Diko (M), 35 years and Zainu Zuladaini (M), 19 years  

The statement read, “This swift action demonstrates the NSCDC’s commitment to safeguarding Critical National Assets and Infrastructure and maintaining public safety.”  

The suspects were found in possession of tools used for vandalising the poles. They were taken into custody and are currently being interrogated.  

The statement assured the public that the State Command of the NSCDC will continue to work closely with other security agencies to bring individuals responsible for such acts of vandalism to book.  

Commandant Kambra added, “I would like to remind the public that vandalism is a serious crime that can have significant negative effects on the community.” 

He advised citizens to report any suspicious activity to the authorities and expressed appreciation to the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for his unwavering support and instrumental leadership.  

The Commandant also lauded the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for his continuous support of the NSCDC in the state, promising that the Command remains dedicated to maintaining law and order.