Africa CDC Appoints Former Vice-President Osinbajo As Senior Strategic Adviser

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has appointed former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as senior strategic adviser to director-general Jean Kaseya, reinforcing leadership capacity for continental health priorities.

The announcement was made by Margaret Edwin, director of communication and public information at Africa CDC, in a statement issued on Monday.

MsEdwin explained that the appointment aligned with the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda aimed at strengthening Africa’s voice in global health, boosting domestic financing, and expanding local production of health commodities.

She said Mr Osinbajo would advise on Africa’s positioning in global health architecture reforms, sustainable health financing, local manufacturing, and building strategic partnerships to advance continental health resilience and cooperation goals.

She said that the former vice-president brought exceptional experience across governance, finance, law, and diplomacy, adding that his leadership would be critical as Africa seeks greater authority in shaping its health future.

“This appointment reflects Africa CDC’s commitment to mobilising African leadership of the highest calibre in service of the continent’s health security, sovereignty, and development,” she said.

She added that his experience in public policy and governance would support efforts to build resilient health systems across African Union member states, particularly in pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response initiatives.

Osinbajo

Mr Osinbajo, a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, served as Nigeria’s vice-president from 2015 to 2023, contributing to policy and governance reforms during his tenure.

He also served as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, where he played significant roles in legal administration and institutional reforms within the state government structure.

During his time in government, he chaired Nigeria’s Economic Sustainability Committee, led ease-of-doing-business reforms, and advanced social investment programmes while coordinating key economic policies across multiple sectors nationwide and driving inclusive economic growth.

Police Raise Alarm Over Masked VIP Guards In Anambra

The Anambra police command has expressed concern about masked security operatives providing protection to very important personalities (VIPs) in the state.

The command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Awka.

“The Command notes that while security duties often require tactical discretion, the act of masking identities without proper authorisation raises significant security concerns.

“Such practices not only pose a potential threat to public safety but also undermine trust, accountability, and the integrity of inter-agency collaboration,” he said.

Mr Ikenga said that identifiable security personnel remain a critical component of coordinated security operations, especially in an environment that demands synergy among various agencies.

According to him, the action makes it difficult to verify legitimacy and could be exploited by criminal elements to perpetrate unlawful acts under the guise of security duties.

The police spokesman urged all security agencies operating within the state to ensure that their personnel are properly identified at all times while on routine or protective duties.

Police Raise Alarm

He said that an exemption could be granted only for clearly defined tactical operations sanctioned by the appropriate authorities.

The Command reiterated its dedication to upholding professionalism, accountability, and public trust in discharging its constitutional responsibilities.

Kwara Police Arrests Suspected Bandit Allegedly Coming From Kogi To Join ISWAP

Kwara police arrests suspected bandit. Police operatives, the National Forest Guards, and vigilante group members, during a routine patrol at Nanu in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday, arrested one Mallami Abubakar, a suspected bandit from Kogi State.

Spokesperson for the Kwara State police command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement on Saturday, said the nabbed 20-year-old suspect was contacted by a friend from Niger State and asked to travel to Farinsuni to join a terrorist group.

The command said, “On April 1, 2026, at about 0800 hours, a joint patrol team comprising Police operatives, the National Forest Guards, and members of the Kaiama Vigilante Group (KVG), while on routine patrol in Nanu, intercepted and arrested one Mallami Abubakar, a 20-year-old male from Isanlu Dankuturu in Kogi State.

“Preliminary investigation and interrogation revealed that the suspect had allegedly been contacted on March 30, 2026, by a friend identified as “Babi” (surname unknown) from Babana Village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The individual reportedly invited him to travel to Farinsuni via Baruten Local Government Area with the intention of joining a group believed to be affiliated with ISWAP/Lakurawa before his arrest.”

Police

According to the command, the suspect is now in police custody, and a full investigation is ongoing to ascertain the extent of his involvement and to apprehend other individuals connected to the case.

The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, while reiterating his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents, urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.