Government Urges Increased Vigilance Against Lassa Fever In Lagos

Mr Abayomi in a post on his official Twitter account, emphasised that though the state had recorded only a few cases so far, the disease remained a major public health threat across Nigeria.

He said rapid medical intervention and effective isolation measures had helped prevent community transmission within the state, but stressed that sustained awareness and preventive practices remain essential.

He stated, “While Lassa fever is a major public health challenge across Nigeria, Lagos has seen only a few cases. Thanks to swift medical action, these cases were rapidly isolated and treated, preventing community spread.”

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He added that both orthodox and traditional healthcare sectors must remain alert, while communities need a better understanding of how the disease spreads and how infections can be prevented.

Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease primarily transmitted from animals to humans, especially through contact with infected rodents.

The disease is endemic in several West African countries and causes seasonal outbreaks in Nigeria each year, particularly during the dry season.

The virus is commonly carried by wild and household rodents, which shed infectious particles through urine, faeces, saliva and blood.

Mr Abayomi warned that several species of bushmeat might harbour the virus, increasing the risk of transmission through hunting, handling or consumption of infected animals.

He highlighted several ways the virus could spread, including direct contact with infected rodent waste, consumption of food or water contaminated by rodents, and exposure to contaminated household surfaces and objects.

He said, “People can also become infected by inhaling dust particles contaminated with rodent droppings or urine. Once introduced into a community, the disease can spread from person to person through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.”

He stressed that Lassa fever was largely preventable through improved hygiene and environmental sanitation.

The commissioner advised residents to store food in rodent-proof containers, maintain clean surroundings and avoid contact with rodents and wild animals.

He also urged the public to refrain from buying, handling or consuming live or freshly killed bushmeat, particularly from unknown sources.

“Let’s stay vigilant, practice strict hygiene, and protect our homes, our communities, and our healthcare heroes,” Mr Abayomi said.

Lassa Fever

Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) showed that fatality from the disease rose to 191 between April 27 and May 3.

According to NCDC, 23 states across 106 local government areas have recorded at least one confirmed case this year.

The agency said ⁠84 per cent of confirmed cases were from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states, with predominant age group affected being 21 to 30 years.

Police Arrest Four Suspected Fraudsters, Recover Two Vehicles In Niger

The Niger State police command has arrested four suspected fraudsters and recovered two stolen vehicles in Suleja Local Government Area.

Wasiu Abiodun, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

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“On 12th May 2026 at about 7.45 p.m., acting on credible information received that four suspects were planning to move a suspected stolen Volkswagen Golf vehicle to Kaduna road to meet a buyer,” he said.

According to him, a police patrol team attached to the Maje Division, Suleja, was mobilised to Kaduna Road and, at about 11 p.m., intercepted the vehicle carrying four suspects.

The arrested suspects are: Badamasi Saidu, 30, of Sabon-Wuse; Adamu Musa, 31, of Kaduna Road; Yunusa Moh’d, 47, of Nasarawa; and Moh’d Usman, 35, of Gwagwalada.

“The suspects removed the vehicle’s number plate to disguise it as a newly acquired vehicle, but when it was searched, the number plate with Reg. No. MNA 839 AH was recovered,” Mr Abiosun added.

Police Arrests

He said the suspects confessed to belonging to a syndicate that specialises in framing unsuspecting vehicle and motorcycle buyers as receivers of stolen property after posing as legitimate sellers.

“Through this act, they intimidate, extort their victims, and take away the vehicle purportedly sold to the victims. In the course of the investigation, another Volkswagen vehicle with Reg. No. RSH 24 FD, one POS machine used for their financial transactions and one fake Police Mess I.D card belonging to Badamasi Saidu were recovered,” Mr Abiodun added.

He further noted that the suspects are under investigation, while efforts continue to apprehend other collaborators.

NAF Special Forces Trainees Strengthen Professionalism In Lawful Counter-Insurgency Operations

The Nigerian Air Force Regiment Training Centre Annex (RTCA) Bauchi, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), conducted a comprehensive training programme on the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) for trainees of Special Forces Course 13/2026.

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The training was designed to deepen the trainees’ understanding of the legal and humanitarian principles guiding military operations, particularly within the complexities of contemporary counter-insurgency and asymmetric warfare environments.

The initiative further reflects the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to build a highly professional, disciplined and mission-oriented force capable of achieving operational success while upholding internationally accepted standards of conduct.

Speaking during the event, the Commandant of RTCA Bauchi, Squadron Leader Lawrence Akpan, stated that the training aligns with the Centre’s mandate of producing highly professional and mission-ready special forces personnel capable of operating effectively within established legal and ethical frameworks.

He stressed that modern military operations require not only tactical competence and operational effectiveness, but also strict adherence to internationally accepted laws governing armed conflict and the protection of human dignity during hostilities. In line with the strategic guidance of the CAS, he noted that “success in counter-insurgency operations is not measured by firepower alone, but by discipline, precision and the ability to protect the population while neutralising threats.”

NAF Special Forces

During the training, the ICRC representative, Major Bello Badamasi (rtd), enlightened the trainees on key aspects of LOAC and IHL, including the protection of civilians, treatment of wounded personnel and detainees, distinction between combatants and non-combatants, as well as the principles of humanity, necessity and proportionality during operations.

The interactive session provided valuable insights into professionalism, discipline and lawful conduct during military engagements, while further underscoring the importance of strategic partnerships and continuous capacity development in enhancing operational effectiveness within ongoing counter-insurgency operations across the country.