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Fresh Ebola Alert: Lagos Tightens Airport Surveillance as Virus Threat Looms

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The Lagos State Government has intensified surveillance and emergency preparedness measures at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) amid renewed concerns over the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in parts of East and Central Africa.

The move is aimed at preventing the importation of the deadly virus into Nigeria through the country’s busiest international gateway, which handles a significant percentage of inbound international passengers.

Leading a high-powered preparedness inspection at the airport, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said authorities were strengthening systems for early detection, rapid isolation, and emergency evacuation of suspected Ebola cases.

RELATED NEWS: U.S. Issues Highest-Level Travel Warning for Uganda Over Deadly Ebola Outbreak

According to him, Lagos remains vulnerable to imported infectious diseases due to its status as Nigeria’s commercial hub and the volume of international travelers arriving daily through MMIA.

Abayomi explained that the state government is also enhancing digital surveillance and passenger monitoring, particularly for travelers arriving from countries considered high-risk.

“Our objective is to create a bottleneck for the virus, not for passengers,” he said, stressing the importance of collaboration between state and federal agencies in safeguarding public health.

The commissioner recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014 after the virus was imported into Lagos from Liberia.

He noted that lessons from that experience, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to shape the state’s preparedness and response strategies.

As part of ongoing efforts, authorities are considering the introduction of dedicated arrival channels for passengers arriving from high-risk countries to strengthen screening and reduce potential exposure risks.

Speaking during the inspection, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, described airport personnel as the country’s first line of defense against imported infectious diseases.

She emphasized the need for heightened vigilance, noting that effective disease surveillance begins at ports of entry.

Also, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, urged frontline workers to strictly adhere to infection prevention and control measures while carrying out their duties.

Meanwhile, the Airport Manager and Regional General Manager, South-West MMIA, Mr. Olatokunbo Arewa, disclosed that additional preparedness infrastructure, including touchless hand-sanitizer systems and temperature-detection equipment, had been deployed across the airport.

The Head of Port Health Services at MMIA, Dr. Lawal Abdullahi, revealed that the airport had already reviewed and updated its Public Health Emergency Contingency Plan earlier this year and activated its emergency management team in response to recent Ebola developments.

He added that risk assessments had been conducted to identify countries of concern, while passenger screening and information-sharing mechanisms were being strengthened to support rapid response efforts.

Officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Port Health Services, and Lagos State health agencies reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated surveillance, information sharing, and swift response measures to protect Nigerians from Ebola and other infectious disease threats.

The inspection concluded with an assessment of major screening points and emergency response facilities at the airport as authorities intensified efforts to keep the virus out of the country.

NEWS

Gunmen Kill Ex-Ogun State Broadcaster, Security Guard in Early Morning Attack

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Man Arrested For Burglary In Ogun Churches

Gunmen have killed a former staff member of Ogun State Television, Mrs. Kitan Oyesiku, popularly known as “Aunty Kitan,” alongside her security guard in a violent early morning attack in Agodo community along the Abeokuta–Siun–Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, threw residents of the area into panic and mourning as news of the killings spread across the community.

The victims were reportedly attacked inside their residence by unknown armed men who stormed the compound and carried out the operation before fleeing the scene.

SEE MORE: Midnight Horror in Kaduna: Gunmen Kill Nine, Injure 11 in Fresh Community Attack

The security guard on duty was also killed during the invasion.

The attack took place within the Abeokuta axis of Abeokuta, raising fresh concerns over insecurity in parts of the state.

The bodies of the deceased have since been deposited at the morgue of the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta.

As of press time, the motive behind the attack remains unclear, while security agencies are expected to launch a full-scale investigation into the incident.

An anonymous source who spoke on the development said the incident was discovered after concerned church members went to check on the deceased when she failed to appear at church service.

The source said: “They had come around to check on Mrs Oyesiku when they did not see her in the church. On getting to her residence, they found out that the security officer had been killed, and they later also saw that the assailants had also killed Mrs Oyesiku. That was how they raised the alarm in the community.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident and said an official statement would be issued after preliminary investigations.

Mrs. Oyesiku, a former broadcaster with the state-owned television station, was well known in media circles before her retirement.

Her death has sparked grief among colleagues, friends, and residents across Ogun State, as calls mount for improved security in the area.

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NEWS

Ekiti 2026: Tinubu Hails Oyebanji, Demands Cooperation from Opposition Parties

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President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State on his re-election, describing the outcome of the governorship election as a clear affirmation of the people’s trust in continuity, stability, and development-focused leadership.

Tinubu also called on opposition parties in the state to accept the results of the election and work with the re-elected governor to strengthen governance and accelerate development across Ekiti.

His message was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, following the official declaration of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission).

ALSO READ: Ekiti Poll Shock: ADC Candidate Loses Home Ward to Oyebanji

The president said the victory represents a strong endorsement of Oyebanji’s performance during his first term in office, noting that the people of Ekiti have reaffirmed their confidence in his leadership.

He urged the governor to remain humble in victory and ensure inclusive governance that carries all stakeholders along in the next phase of administration.

“President Tinubu urges Governor Oyebanji to remain magnanimous in victory and to carry all Ekiti people along as he consolidates on his achievements in the next four years,” the statement read.

Tinubu further appealed to candidates who participated in the election to prioritize peace and unity, stressing the importance of collaboration in moving the state forward.

He noted that the election outcome should mark the beginning of broader cooperation among political actors in Ekiti rather than division.

According to him, Oyebanji’s first term witnessed notable progress in key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and rural development under the BAO agenda.

The president described the renewed mandate as a reflection of voters’ confidence in stability and continuity of governance.

“The renewed mandate is therefore a clear vote of confidence in continuity, stability, and people-centred governance,” Tinubu stated.

He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to partnering with the Ekiti State Government to deepen development and ensure the delivery of democratic dividends under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Tinubu praised the conduct of voters during the election, describing the process as largely peaceful, and commended security agencies for maintaining order throughout the exercise.

Meanwhile, Biodun Oyebanji was officially declared winner of the poll after securing 319,224 votes across all 16 local government areas of the state.

The victory makes him the first governor in the history of Ekiti State to win consecutive re-election, marking a significant milestone in the state’s political history.

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International News

“He Failed Badly” — Trump Says Starmer Will Step Down as UK PM

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U.S. President Donald Trump has predicted that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will step down from office, accusing the Labour leader of failing on two critical issues — immigration and energy policy.

Trump made the remarks on Sunday in a post on his Truth Social platform, where he claimed Starmer’s leadership had fallen short in addressing challenges facing the United Kingdom.

SEE MORE:New US Strike on Iran Sends Oil Prices Soaring as Middle East Tensions Escalate

“Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom,” Trump wrote. “He failed badly on two very important subjects — IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well!”

The U.S. president did not provide any evidence to support his claim, nor did he reveal the basis for his prediction that Starmer would leave office.

Starmer, who leads the Labour Party, became Prime Minister after securing victory in the UK’s general election.

Since taking office, his government has faced criticism over a range of issues, including migration policies, energy security, and the cost-of-living challenges confronting many Britons.

Trump’s comments come as debates over immigration and energy continue to dominate political discussions in the UK.

However, there has been no official statement from Starmer, his office, or the British government suggesting that he plans to resign.

As of the time of filing this report, Starmer remains in office and continues to lead the government despite the claims made by the American president.

 

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