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By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has directed hospitals and other health facilities across Nigeria to strengthen their isolation units and ensure the availability of protective equipment and essential medical supplies as part of efforts to prevent and manage any possible outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The directive was disclosed by Dr Yunus Mohammed Eze, Deputy Head of Clinical Services at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, during an interview with journalists.

Eze said the Federal Ministry of Health had instructed health facilities nationwide to put emergency response arrangements in place to ensure the prompt identification, isolation and management of suspected Ebola cases.

He explained that FMC Birnin Kudu had responded by strengthening its isolation unit and placing healthcare workers on alert.

“The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health, communicated with health facilities across the country and directed them to prepare their isolation units and ensure that everything required to protect healthcare workers and manage affected patients was available,” he said.

According to him, the hospital management immediately implemented the directive and made arrangements to isolate suspected cases and refer patients to designated treatment centres where necessary.

Hospital intensifies public awareness

Eze said the hospital had also stepped up public health education through its Infectious Diseases Unit and Community Medicine Unit to raise awareness about infectious diseases and preventive practices.

He added that the facility was working with the Jigawa State Media Corporation to educate residents on disease prevention and the importance of promptly reporting suspected cases.

The medical expert further disclosed that healthcare workers regularly educate patients and visitors at the hospital, encouraging them to pass the information on to their families and communities.

The preparedness measures are intended to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to detect and respond quickly to any suspected Ebola case, while ensuring the safety of healthcare workers and patients.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that his life is in danger, accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of targeting him following an attack in Ekiti State.

Sowore made the allegation on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he spoke about the incident and his concerns over his safety.

He also alleged that the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police knew the individuals responsible for the attack, claiming that the police commissioner visited him and others while they were receiving medical attention.

According to Sowore, some people advised him to leave the area after the police commissioner’s visit because of concerns about the alleged attackers’ connections.

“The Commissioner of Police came to see us while we were being treated, so he knew the people who attacked us. When he left, people were saying that, ‘Sowore, you better leave because Oga knows these people,’” he said.

The activist further alleged that he had previously been subjected to surveillance during a visit to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He claimed that a tracking device had been placed under his vehicle and that investigations traced it to the Department of State Services (DSS).

Sowore also referenced his prosecution over comments in which he described President Tinubu as a criminal, arguing that the legal action was part of a broader pattern of government hostility towards him.

“My life is at stake and I have been a threat to the government since I was 20 years old,” he said.

He maintained that the attack in Ekiti was unprovoked and accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of continuing a pattern of actions against him, recalling his previous detention during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Sowore’s allegations have not been independently established in the account of the interview, and no response from the Ekiti State Police Command or the Federal Government was included in the report.

The incident has renewed attention on concerns surrounding the safety of political activists and the treatment of opposition figures in Nigeria.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s defence of government borrowing, describing excessive debt as more damaging than leprosy because its consequences can affect generations yet unborn.

Obasanjo made the remarks on Friday at the third Ajibosin Annual Symposium, held at the amphitheatre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The symposium was themed, “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Solve Grassroots Problems and Accelerate National Development.”

Tinubu had recently argued that borrowing was not leprosy, maintaining that his administration was prepared to work hard to repay whatever loans it obtained.

However, Obasanjo dismissed the argument, questioning the country’s growing debt burden and the ability of its leaders to manage the economy.

The former President, who secured a $30 billion Paris Club debt relief for Nigeria during his administration from 1999 to 2007, argued that while leprosy affects an individual, excessive borrowing places the future of entire generations at risk.

“For anybody to say debt is no leprosy is absolute nonsense. Debt is worse than leprosy, because leprosy destroys only one person. Debt destroys generations,” he said.

Obasanjo faults dependence on World Bank, IMF

The former President also criticised the policies of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), arguing that their recommendations were not necessarily designed to advance Nigeria’s development interests.

He questioned why African countries were discouraged from subsidising agriculture while developed countries continued to support their own agricultural sectors.

Obasanjo said Nigeria should develop policies based on its peculiar economic realities rather than blindly adopting recommendations from international financial institutions.

He also expressed concern over what he described as excessive reliance on foreign economic prescriptions, warning that such dependence could undermine the country’s ability to determine its development priorities.

Raises concern over naira depreciation

Obasanjo further lamented the depreciation of the naira, comparing its value against the US dollar when he started his farming business about 47 years ago with its current exchange rate.

He recalled that the naira was stronger than the dollar at the time, questioning how the country had reached a situation where the exchange rate was around ₦1,500 to the dollar.

“What has Nigeria done in 47 years that we now have N1,500 naira to the dollar? What have we done?” he asked.

He also challenged Nigerian leaders to demonstrate their understanding of the country’s economic problems through practical solutions.

Warns against foreign control of artificial intelligence

Obasanjo also cautioned Nigeria and other African countries against adopting artificial intelligence without understanding its implications and ensuring sufficient local control over the technology.

He argued that innovations developed by powerful foreign countries could be exploited against nations that lacked the capacity to regulate and control them.

“I don’t know too much technically about AI. But I know that anything that is not in your control can be abused against you,” he said.

The former President urged Nigeria to determine how artificial intelligence could serve its development priorities instead of allowing foreign interests to dictate the country’s technological direction.

Africa warned against another form of exploitation

Also speaking at the symposium, historian and political commentator, Dr Umar Ardo, warned that Africa could face another form of economic exploitation through artificial intelligence if it failed to control its data, technological infrastructure and intellectual property.

Ardo acknowledged the potential of AI to transform economies and support national development but cautioned that adopting the technology without local ownership and adequate safeguards could reinforce existing economic inequalities.

He traced Africa’s history of economic exploitation from the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism to the post-independence period, arguing that the continent had repeatedly supplied valuable resources while foreign interests controlled the technologies and captured much of the economic benefits.

According to him, the pattern continues today, with African countries exporting raw materials while importing finished products and depending heavily on foreign technology and expertise.

He cited Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported refined petroleum products despite being a major crude oil producer, as well as the reliance of cocoa-producing countries on foreign manufacturers for finished chocolate products.

Ardo warned that data generated from African citizens, businesses, hospitals, farms, languages and public institutions could become another valuable resource extracted and controlled by foreign companies.

He argued that although artificial intelligence presents significant opportunities, Africa must establish ownership of its data and technological infrastructure to benefit fully from the emerging digital economy.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a pastor, Edwin Nwabueze, and another suspect, Sadiq Jamiu, over the alleged theft of a Toyota Camry in Abuja.

The vehicle was reportedly stolen at UTC Plaza in the Garki area of the FCT.

According to the police, Nwabueze, who identified himself as a pastor with Salvation Power Bible Ministry in North Bank, Benue State, was arrested at his residence on October 27 following investigations into the incident.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

Adeh said the suspect, who hails from Oji River in Enugu State but resides in Benue, led police operatives to another location where his alleged accomplice, Jamiu, was apprehended.

The police said preliminary investigations had also linked Nwabueze to previous arrests by the Benue State Police Command in connection with vehicle theft cases.

The command further alleged that the two suspects were members of an interstate vehicle theft syndicate involved in stealing and selling vehicles across different states.

“Investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of the syndicate’s operations and apprehend other members who are currently at large,” the statement added.

The police confirmed that both suspects remained in custody and would be charged in court after the conclusion of investigations.

The Daily Reality

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has performed Umrah in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, praying for sustainable peace, national unity and stability in Nigeria.

During the spiritual exercise early Friday, the President circled the Holy Ka’abah at the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, in worship and thanksgiving to Almighty Allah for His blessings on Nigeria and its people.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the rite, President Tinubu said the Umrah was significant for the love of Nigerians, commitment to the job and the country, and commitment to the will of Allah.

He prayed that Almighty Allah would guide the country’s leaders with wisdom, strengthen brotherhood among Nigerians and grant the nation lasting relief from insecurity and other challenges.

“I am grateful to Allah for being able to perform this Umrah. We have just prayed for our nation, for everyone to live in peace and harmony, happiness and faith in God Almighty,” the President said.

He also expressed hope that Nigeria would continue to make progress toward economic prosperity, social development and a more secure future for all citizens.

President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful, united and prosperous nation where every Nigerian, regardless of faith or background, can live in safety, dignity and harmony.

The Presidency announced the President’s spiritual exercise in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, to contest the 2027 general elections, subject to the outcomes of pending court cases.

The commission, however, rejected a petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, seeking a review of his exclusion from the list of candidates.

A source within INEC disclosed the decisions to Daily Trust on Thursday, following a meeting of the commission to consider complaints from political parties and candidates whose names were omitted from the lists published ahead of the elections.

According to the source, INEC received 69 petitions relating to omitted candidates for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. About 36 of the petitions were successful, while the remaining applications were unsuccessful.

The source added that the commission was awaiting final figures from its legal department before issuing an official statement on the outcome of the review.

Regarding Pantami, who is the PDP governorship candidate in Gombe State, the source confirmed that INEC had cleared his candidacy.

Gwarzo was also cleared to contest under the NDC platform in Kano State. However, the commission said his clearance would remain subject to the final decision of the court on the legal dispute surrounding his nomination.

The source explained that the commission had no objection to either candidate contesting the election, provided the pending legal matters did not result in a contrary court ruling.

Candidates challenge exclusion

Pantami and Gwarzo were among prominent governorship candidates whose names were missing from INEC’s list released in October.

INEC had earlier attributed the omissions to alleged failure by their political parties to comply with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly the requirement to submit membership registers.

The commission said its position was based on a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment affirming the constitutionality of Section 77(5) to (7) of the Electoral Act, which makes the submission of party membership registers mandatory.

Gwarzo subsequently approached the court to challenge the exclusion of himself and his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, from the list of governorship candidates in Kano State.

In an originating summons dated October 20, 2026, he asked the court to declare their exclusion unlawful and compel INEC to recognise them as the NDC’s candidates.

Pantami’s candidacy is also facing litigation, with the INEC source indicating that a court proceeding was expected on Friday.

Adebutu’s petition rejected

Meanwhile, INEC rejected Adebutu’s request for a review of his exclusion from the Ogun State governorship candidates’ list.

The PDP candidate had challenged the commission’s decision, maintaining that he remained a registered member of the party and had fulfilled the relevant membership registration requirements.

However, the INEC source confirmed that his petition was unsuccessful.

The commission is expected to issue a formal statement detailing the decisions reached after reviewing the 69 petitions.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu, Yobe State, has sentenced a 20-year-old man, Dauda Umaru, to seven years’ imprisonment for procuring and having sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old girl.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) disclosed the conviction in a statement published on its official Facebook page on Wednesday.

The court, presided over by Justice Aisha Y. Salihu, also ordered Umaru to pay a total of ₦1.5 million, comprising ₦1 million into the Victim Trust Fund Account and ₦500,000 as compensation to the victim.

According to NAPTIP, the conviction was secured under Section 16(1) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015, as amended.

The agency added that failure to pay the stipulated amount would attract an additional seven months’ imprisonment.

NAPTIP intensifies prosecution of sexual exploitation cases

The latest conviction comes as NAPTIP continues to prosecute cases involving the sexual exploitation of minors and other forms of human trafficking.

In a related case previously reported by The PUNCH, the agency secured the conviction of 37-year-old Fatima Sanda for procuring a 16-year-old girl for sexual exploitation.

Sanda was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by the High Court of Justice, Court 10, presided over by Justice Aisha Ndume. The court also ordered her to pay ₦500,000 in compensation to the victim.

The agency’s latest announcement underscores ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable for offences involving the exploitation of minors.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Advanced Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria, arguing that the country’s leaders can offer prayers without travelling abroad.

Makinde said prayers for Nigeria could be offered within the country, insisting that there was no need for the President to travel to Saudi Arabia for that purpose.

The governor made the remarks while reacting to reports of Tinubu’s journey, saying Nigerian leaders should remain in the country and share in the challenges facing citizens.

“I read on social media that our President is travelling to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria. Prayers are answered even in this country. We will stay here and pray for our country and leaders,” Makinde said.

He argued that leadership required being physically present with the people and understanding their difficulties rather than travelling abroad whenever the opportunity arose.

According to him, the President could pray for the country at the Presidential Villa, in churches, mosques or any other location within Nigeria, without necessarily going to Saudi Arabia.

Makinde also said his party, the APM, would not embark on foreign trips for prayers, maintaining that its members would remain with Nigerians while praying for the country and its leaders.

His comments come amid public concerns over Nigeria’s economic difficulties and insecurity, as well as recurring debates about foreign trips by political officeholders.

President Tinubu’s visit to Saudi Arabia has also attracted attention, with the trip reportedly including the performance of the lesser Hajj.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Suspected Mamudawa/Lakurawa terrorists have reportedly killed a police inspector and 11 civilians during attacks on Waiwayi and Kystu communities in Koko-Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying the inspector was killed during an exchange of gunfire with the attackers.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this during a telephone conversation, adding that the identity of the deceased officer would not be made public until investigations were concluded.

Usman said the attackers stormed the two communities, where they engaged security operatives in a gun battle that resulted in the death of the inspector.

“Yes, there was an attack on the villages of Waiwayi and Kystu by suspected Mamudawa, and unfortunately, during an exchange of fire, they killed one police inspector,” he said.

He added that the police were yet to release the officer’s name pending the completion of investigations.

The attackers were also reported to have set houses on fire and looted food items from shops in the affected communities.

The assaults reportedly forced several residents to abandon their homes and flee to safer locations.

Usman said security operatives had cordoned off the affected areas to prevent further attacks, while a manhunt had been launched to track down those responsible.

The incident has further heightened security concerns in rural communities across Kebbi State, where repeated attacks have threatened residents’ lives, homes and livelihoods.

The Daily Reality

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its air defense forces intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-1 drone east of the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Sirik, on October 29.

Iranian state media reported that the drone was brought down by an advanced air defense system operating within the country’s integrated air defense network. The IRGC described the incident as the 14th MQ-1 drone it claims to have intercepted and destroyed.

The claim and the circumstances of the reported incident have not been independently verified. The United States has not publicly confirmed the loss, and details about the drone’s operator, mission and wreckage remain unclear.