society

OGUN READS RIOT ACT TO QUACKS, SHUTS DOWN 10 MEDICAL FACILITIES

Published

2 years ago

November 11, 2023

OGUN READS RIOT ACT TO QUACKS, SHUTS DOWN 10 MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR INFRACTIONS

Ogun State Government has again read a riot act against quackery in the health sector, sealing 10 unapproved medical facilities in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, who led a team of medical personnel from the Hospital Services Department of the Ministry, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Association of General Private Nursing Practitioners (AGPNP), and Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), to inspect private hospitals and other medical facilities in the Local Government Area, said six individuals had been apprehended for quackery and handed over to the police.

Dr. Coker, disclosed that the inspection was a consequence of the influx of quacks in Ado-Odo/Ota LGA from Lagos State, saying the goal of the present administration was to safeguard the lives of innocent residents who could become victims in the hands of untrained practitioners.

She emphasized that the government would no longer tolerate activities of quacks as this has severe consequences for those residing in the State, particularly those in border areas between Lagos and Ogun, adding that the inspection of facilities would continue across the State.

“This government, as you must have seen in the past few years, has prioritized the well-being of all residents. While we are trying to make healthcare accessible to our people, we are also conscious of the need to standardize the medical profession in the State. We are aware of the proliferation of quacks here and have declared zero tolerance for them.”

“The truth is that some of the facilities we visited today were opened by doctors and nurses who don’t oversee them. We visited diagnostic centers, laboratory facilities, and alternative medicine centers that are operating outside their scope by administering intravenous drugs and IV fluids, among other things. We have apprehended them and handed them over to the police for prosecution,” she said.

The Commissioner further warned that medical practitioners who are not duly registered or operating outside the scope of their permit would face the full wrath of the law.
She urged all relevant professional associations in the State to join hands with the government to rid the sector of all illegalities and educate their members to get the right licenses to operate their private medical facilities.

The Chairman, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State Branch, Dr. Azim Ashimi, described the influx of quacks in the State as disheartening, leading to needless loss of innocent lives.

He said his association had resolved to independently work towards dealing with those who pretend to be doctors and are either not trained or licensed to treat people, while also collaborating with the State government through the Ministry of Health to address this menace.

society

ZAMFARA WOMAN FACES DEATH PENALTY FRIDAY FOR CONVERTING TO CHRISTIANITY

Published

11 minutes ago

May 21, 2025

Sahara Weekly

ZAMFARA WOMAN FACES DEATH PENALTY FRIDAY FOR CONVERTING TO CHRISTIANITY

A wave of national outrage is building as 22-year-old Zainab Muhamadu prepares to face trial this Friday in a Zamfara Sharia Court for one reason: she left Islam and embraced Christianity.

Zainab’s alleged crime, apostasy, has stirred fierce debate across the country and beyond, with legal experts, human rights defenders, and religious communities warning that Nigeria is teetering on the edge of a full-blown constitutional crisis. Family sources say her ordeal began after she encountered Pastor Samuel, an NYSC member deployed to her community, whose kindness and open sharing of his Christian faith deeply impacted her. The two formed a spiritual bond that would ultimately change—and now threaten—her life.

Her decision to convert sparked immediate backlash. She was arrested by local authorities and is now facing trial under Sharia law, where apostasy is treated as a capital offence. Yet Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the right to change one’s faith. Rights advocates argue that her prosecution violates that very principle.

“This is not just a case about Zainab,” said a human rights lawyer in Yola. “It’s a brutal referendum on Nigeria’s commitment to protect freedom of belief. If she dies for this, it won’t just be her blood on the ground—it will stain the conscience of the nation.”

Calls are mounting for urgent intervention, as fears grow that Zainab’s right to a fair and impartial trial may be compromised in a judicial system heavily influenced by religious authorities. Legal teams are urgently working to have her case moved to a secular court, asserting that she should not be tried under Islamic law for a faith she no longer professes.

At the heart of the storm, Pastor Samuel is said to be under immense emotional and spiritual distress. Supporters are demanding protection for him amid rising tensions and threats.

Zainab’s case is not isolated—it is the chilling face of a wider clash between constitutional democracy and theocratic enforcement. As the clock ticks toward Friday, her life—and Nigeria’s moral standing—hang in the balance.

society

RAINFALL BREAKS PRISON WALL IN ILESA, SEVEN INMATES ESCAPE

Published

18 minutes ago

May 21, 2025

Sahara Weekly

RAINFALL BREAKS PRISON WALL IN ILESA, SEVEN INMATES ESCAPE

An overnight downpour on Tuesday triggered the collapse of the perimeter wall at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, allowing seven inmates to escape under the cover of darkness.

According to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the breach occurred around 2:00 a.m. as a result of structural failure caused by the heavy rain. The incident adds to a growing list of jailbreaks in Nigeria linked to poor infrastructure and extreme weather.

In a statement released by the NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, authorities have launched a manhunt for the escapees and are working with other security agencies and local community leaders to bring them back into custody. The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and assured the public that all efforts are being made to recapture the fugitives.

The service is also appealing to the public for information that could help in locating the escapees. Citizens are urged to contact the nearest security agency or use the hotlines: 07087086005, 09060004598, or 08075050006.

This is the third major prison break in less than a year caused by adverse weather and failing infrastructure. In September 2024, a flood-induced wall collapse in Maiduguri led to the escape of 281 inmates, while in April 2024, rains in Suleja caused a similar breach that allowed 119 inmates to flee.

As security agencies intensify their search, Tuesday’s escape further underscores the urgent need to overhaul Nigeria’s aging and vulnerable correctional facilities.

society

TRAGIC POLICE SHOOTING: 14-Year-Old Boy Killed During Oyo Traffic Chase

Published

27 minutes ago

May 21, 2025

Sahara Weekly

TRAGIC POLICE SHOOTING: 14-Year-Old Boy Killed During Oyo Traffic Chase

Oyo Police Launch Full Investigation as Officer Detained Over Fatal Misfire

The Oyo State Police Command deeply regrets to announce the tragic death of 14-year-old Kehinde Alade, who was fatally shot during a joint traffic enforcement operation involving officers of the Oyo State Police Command and the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA).

At around 7:45 AM on May 20, 2025, at the Airport Roundabout along the Alakia-Adelubi/Airport Road in Egbeda LGA, officers attempted to stop a black Honda Accord (Lagos plate: FST 639 JJ), driven by Mr. Odunayo Alade—the father of the deceased—who was reportedly driving against traffic (one-way).

Instead of stopping, the driver allegedly sped toward the enforcement team, crashing into two OYTMA vehicles and a Police Buffalo patrol truck.

As barricades were set up to stop the vehicle and prevent harm to other road users, the driver reportedly broke through, driving recklessly and endangering lives. Officers, suspecting possible criminal activity or abduction, began a high-speed pursuit.

In an effort to halt the fleeing vehicle, a police corporal discharged a firearm, aiming at the tyres. Tragically, the bullet missed and struck young Kehinde Alade, who was seated in the back seat. He was rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH) but was confirmed dead on arrival.

His body has been taken to the Adeoyo State Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.

To prevent civil unrest, Commissioner of Police Johnson Adenola, psc, immediately deployed tactical and intelligence teams, including the Police Mobile Force (PMF), to stabilize the area and restore normalcy.

A full investigation has been ordered, to be led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). The officer who fired the shot is now in custody and is cooperating fully with investigators. The Command assures the public of transparency and that the outcome of the investigation will be made public.

The Oyo State Police Command expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and pledges to uphold justice and accountability.