France has confirmed its first-ever case of Ebola virus disease, triggering concern across Europe as health authorities move swiftly to contain the deadly infection.

The French Health Ministry announced on Wednesday that a doctor returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is currently battling a major Ebola outbreak, tested positive for the virus after arriving in France.

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According to officials, the patient was immediately isolated upon arrival, even before laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis, helping to reduce the risk of transmission.

In a statement, the ministry confirmed the identification of “a first positive case of Ebola virus disease on national territory,” marking the first time the virus has been detected in France.

The development also represents the first confirmed Ebola case recorded outside Africa during the current outbreak, which has affected both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

French authorities disclosed that the case was detected in mainland France, while Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is closely monitoring the situation as health agencies intensify surveillance and response measures.

The current outbreak in the DRC was officially declared on May 15 following a series of unexplained deaths in the eastern Ituri Province.

The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

Despite growing concerns, public health experts have stressed that the risk of widespread global transmission remains low because Ebola is less contagious than many airborne infectious diseases.

The virus spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and contaminated materials.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal haemorrhagic fever that can cause symptoms including high fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.

French health authorities have assured the public that all necessary precautions are being taken to contain the case and prevent any further spread of the disease.

The announcement has nevertheless sparked anxiety across Europe, given the deadly nature of the virus and its emergence outside the African continent during the ongoing outbreak.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has observed with concern that Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) exported 148,222 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) between January and May 2026, which is its entire production during the period under review.

According to the regulator, a significant portion of locally produced LPG is being exported instead of being supplied to the domestic market.

The authority said Chevron accounted for 22.93 per cent of total LPG production during the period.

The NMDPRA said engagements would be required with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the ministry of petroleum resources to address the situation and secure additional volumes for the domestic market.

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The report showed that the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) remained the largest producer during the period with 187,559 metric tons, representing 29.01 percent of total output, followed by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery with 105,127 metric tons or 16.26 percent.

The authority further said Nigeria recorded a year-to-date LPG supply deficit of 91,966 metric tons between January 1 and June 18, 2026.

According to the report, total supply during the period stood at 565,106 metric tons, compared with a benchmark requirement of 657,072 metric tons.

The deficit reduced market coverage efficiency to 86 percent, down from 88.4 percent recorded in 2025.

The NMDPRA attributed part of the shortfall to poor import performance by oil marketing companies (OMCs).

It said marketers allocated import quotas totaling 390,000 metric tons for the second quarter and achieved only 4.2 percent of the approved volume.

The NMDPRA added that Nigeria could face a supply gap of 165,000 metric tons in the third quarter if current supply challenges persist.

The authority also identified middlemen as a major contributor to rising prices.

According to the regulator, traders rather than terminal operators are now the dominant off-takers of LPG from producers, forcing operators with storage and distribution infrastructure to buy products through intermediaries.

The NMDPRA said it has commenced audits and enforcement actions aimed at increasing the number of terminal operators that can purchase products directly from producers.

The regulator added that recent interventions have improved LPG stock sufficiency from 11 days to 22 days.

As of June 21, Nigeria’s LPG stock stood at 85.87 million kilograms, while average daily supply increased to 5,040 metric tons in June from 4,262 metric tons recorded in May.

The authority said it is also working to improve foreign exchange access for imports, deploy technology-driven product tracking systems and expand gas infrastructure through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF).

The NMDPRA also said the Anoh Gas Processing Plant is expected to contribute additional volumes to the domestic market from July 2026.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the continued detention of Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), pending a ruling on his application seeking to overturn the revocation of his bail.

Justice Mohammed Umar fixed June 30, 2026, to deliver a ruling on the motion filed by Sowore challenging the court’s earlier decision that revoked his bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Sowore’s counsel, Raphael Adakole, moved a motion seeking a stay of execution of the June 16 order that revoked his client’s bail following his absence in court.

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The defence lawyer informed the court that the application, dated June 17 and filed on June 19, was brought under relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

According to him, the application seeks an order setting aside the bail revocation and bench warrant issued against Sowore and restoring the status quo that existed before June 16.

Adakole told the court that the motion was supported by a 25-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Emmanuel Larry. He added that the defence had also filed a further affidavit and a reply on points of law in response to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.

He urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice and discountenance the prosecution’s objections.

However, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Akinkolu Kehinde, SAN, strongly opposed the application.
Kehinde told the court that the DSS had filed a 25-paragraph counter-affidavit and a written address, urging the court to reject the defendant’s request.

The senior advocate argued that Sowore had failed to place credible and truthful facts before the court that would warrant the exercise of judicial discretion in his favour.

After listening to arguments from both parties, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until June 30 for ruling.

Shortly after the adjournment, Adakole made an oral request for Sowore to be released into his custody pending the court’s decision, assuring the judge that he would produce the defendant whenever required.

The request was immediately opposed by the DSS lawyer, who argued that such an application could not be validly made orally before the court.

In response, Adakole stated that he was representing senior advocate Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, whom he described as a man of impeccable character whose undertaking should be trusted by the court.

Justice Umar, however, declined the request, noting that granting Sowore temporary release could amount to determining the substantive application before delivering a formal ruling.

Consequently, the court ordered that Sowore remain in custody pending the June 30 ruling.
The development comes days after Justice Umar ordered the remand of Sowore, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The judge had earlier dismissed an application seeking his recusal from the case over allegations of bias.

On June 16, the court revoked Sowore’s bail after he failed to appear for his trial and subsequently issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

The DSS is prosecuting Sowore over allegations that he made false claims against President Bola Tinubu in posts published on his X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.

With the latest ruling, Sowore will remain in custody until at least June 30 when the court is expected to decide whether to restore his bail or uphold the earlier order revoking it.