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Nigeria Leads Fight Against Skin Bleaching Epidemic, Says Minister Salako

By
Mosali Edunosa
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Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, has described the pervasive use of skin-bleaching products in Nigeria as a public health crisis, calling for stronger regulations and cultural reorientation to combat the practice.

Speaking at a high-level workshop in Libreville, Gabon, on January 22, 2025, Dr. Salako identified Nigeria as “the world capital of skin bleaching,” citing a World Health Organization (WHO) report that 77% of Nigerian women use skin-lightening products.

“Despite the well-documented harmful effects of these products, skin bleaching remains prevalent in Nigeria and across Africa, driven by societal pressures linking lighter skin to beauty, success, and social mobility,” Dr. Salako said.

Health Hazards of Skin Bleaching Products

Dr. Salako emphasized the severe health risks associated with these products, including skin damage, organ toxicity, and cancer. Hazardous substances such as mercury, hydroquinone, and heavy metals—commonly found in unregulated skin-lightening products—pose significant dangers.

“Mercury exposure can lead to renal and neurological damage, while hydroquinone has been linked to ochronosis, a bluish-black discoloration of the skin, and potential carcinogenic effects,” Dr. Salako warned.

Government Action and Regulatory Framework

Dr. Salako highlighted Nigeria’s proactive measures, including the 2019 Cosmetics Products (Prohibition of Bleaching Agents) Regulations, which ban harmful ingredients and limit hydroquinone concentration to 2%.

He commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for ensuring cosmetic products meet safety standards through stringent testing and certification. “Through the Cosmetics Safety Management Programme, we’ve conducted public sensitization campaigns, market surveillance, and grassroots education to raise awareness and remove hazardous products from circulation,” he said.

Cultural and Behavioral Change

The Minister called for a cultural shift to dismantle harmful beauty standards. “We must revive the ‘Black is Beautiful’ movement to celebrate Afrocentric beauty and dispel the myth that fairer skin is better,” he stated.

Dr. Salako added that influencers, community leaders, and celebrities are being engaged to promote natural beauty and self-acceptance, with campaigns emphasizing that beauty is not tied to complexion.

Global and Regional Collaboration

Dr. Salako urged African nations to adopt national policies on cosmetics and enforce global conventions such as

Five Rivers Cultists Arrested for Killing Man, Collecting Ransom

By
Gladys Phillip
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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested five suspected cultists for allegedly beating a 34-year-old man, Rowland Horsfall, to death after accusing him of generating a fake alert for hard drugs he purchased from them. The suspects, members of the dreaded Iceland cult group, collected ransom from the victim’s mother despite having already killed him.

According to the police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspects were arrested after the victim’s mother became suspicious and alerted the police. The suspects confessed to the crime, revealing that they had dumped the victim’s remains along Queens/Kings Bakery, Abuloma Road, Port Harcourt.

The arrested suspects include Endurance Friday Thompson, Boma Otonye, David Link Ishaku, Moses Nsikak Benjamin, and Emmanuel Aniete. The police have recovered the victim’s remains and deposited them at a morgue. The command has intensified its search for other fleeing suspects to bring them to justice.

The police warned young people to be cautious of the company they keep and the places they visit to avoid falling prey to criminal elements.

Immigration Arrests 90 Foreigners for Cybercrime in Rivers

By
Mosali Edunosa
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The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service has arrested 90 foreigners for suspected cybercrimes. The suspects, mostly from Cameroon, were arrested in collaboration with other security agencies at their hideout in the state .

According to the Rivers State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr. YI Abdulmajeed, the arrest followed credible intelligence. A total of 94 persons were arrested, comprising 85 Cameroonians, five Chadians, and four Nigerians.

The suspects gained access to Nigeria through unauthorized entry points and failed to present residence cards or valid travel documents. Two Nigerians from Rivers State, who provided accommodation for the suspects, were also arrested.

The Comptroller General of Immigration Service has ordered the repatriation of the foreigners to their respective countries of origin. This development highlights the Nigeria Immigration Service’s commitment to securing the nation’s borders and curbing illegal activities perpetrated by undocumented immigrants .

Man Found Dead in Kano Well

By
Nnenna Nwankwo
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A 45-year-old man was found dead in a well in Babawa village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, on Tuesday. The Kano State Fire Service recovered the body after receiving a distress call at 12:59 pm.

According to Saminu Abdullahi, the Fire Service spokesman, the emergency rescue team arrived at the scene at 1:25 pm and found the man unconscious in the well. Despite efforts to rescue him, the man was later confirmed dead, suspected to have succumbed to prolonged exhaustion .

The victim’s identity remains unknown, as neither community leaders nor residents could recognize him or determine where he came from. The body was handed over to ASP Kabiru Lawan of the Gezawa Police Division for further investigation .

This incident is a tragic reminder of the importance of community vigilance and timely reporting of emergencies. The Kano State Fire Service has demonstrated its critical role in responding to distress calls and providing emergency support .

Terrorist Kingpin Bello Turji Suffers Major Blow as Military Kills Second-in-Command and 31 Others

By
Victor Obabunmi
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The Defence Headquarters announced on Wednesday that Aminu Kanawa, the second-in-command to notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji, has been killed by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma. This development comes after the military killed Turji’s fighters and son during clearance operations on his hideout .

The military also inflicted serious injuries on some of Turji’s close allies, including his younger brother, Dosso, and Danbokolo, one of Turji’s closest allies. Additionally, troops neutralized several of Turji’s key commanders, including Abu Dan Shehu, Jabbi Dogo, and Dan Kane .

The Defence Headquarters had previously vowed to capture or kill Turji in 2025, following his repeated mockery of the military and challenge to engage them in combat. The military has reaffirmed its commitment to capturing Turji, despite the recent surrender of two terrorist leaders in the North-West region .

The outgoing Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, stated that the death of Turji’s second-in-command, close allies, commanders, and combatants is a significant blow to the terrorist network in the North-West. The military operations aim to create an atmosphere of safety and security for all citizens .

In a related development, the Defence Headquarters reported that troops killed 10,937 terrorists, arrested 12,538 others, and rescued 7,063 hostages in 2024. The military also recovered 8,815 weapons, 228,004 ammunitions, and denied oil theft worth an estimated N68.5 billion .

Amotekun Foils Rape Attempt, Rescues Teen in Ekiti

By
Shehu Danladi
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Operatives of the Ekiti State Amotekun Corps have arrested a 25-year-old man, Ojo Adewunmi, for allegedly attempting to rape a 19-year-old girl in Ilawe Ekiti. The suspect was apprehended on Tuesday by Amotekun operatives from the Ekiti South West Local Government Command.

According to Abiodun Adeleye, the Ekiti Amotekun Head of Communications, the victim was locked indoors by the suspect, who attempted to sexually assault her. However, the girl’s screams for help alerted the Amotekun operatives, who arrived at the scene and foiled the suspect’s attempt.

The victim narrated her ordeal, explaining how she felt helpless and hopeless until the Amotekun operatives arrived to assist her. The suspect has been handed over to the Ilawe Ekiti Police Division for further investigation and possible prosecution.

This incident highlights the importance of the Amotekun Corps in maintaining law and order in Ekiti State. The corps has been instrumental in preventing and responding to various crimes, including rape attempts and kidnappings .

Gunmen Abduct Medical Doctor in Anambra

By
Grace Itodu
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A urologist at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Cornelius Onuigbo, was abducted by gunmen on Tuesday evening in Nnewi, Anambra State.

The incident occurred at the gate of Onuigbo’s residence as he returned home from work. Witnesses reported that the armed men intercepted him, forced him into their vehicle, and drove off.

The police have confirmed the incident and are working to rescue the doctor. The Anambra State Police Command spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, said, “We have mobilized for the rescue of the doctor. The commissioner has given orders for this, and men of the command are currently at work.”

Fake Soldier Arrested in Lagos for Abduction , Phone Theft

By
Grace Itodu
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The Lagos State Police Command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS) has arrested a 42-year-old fake military officer, Kingsley Wanogho, for abducting a young man in Ikeja and stealing his iPhone 13.

According to the RRS, Wanogho, a dismissed army sergeant and ex-convict, was arrested on Saturday after one of his victims spotted him near Computer Village in Ikeja.

The suspect allegedly abducted his victim, Solomon, on December 30, 2024, after accusing him of stealing his gold ring. Wanogho claimed to be an army officer and threatened to take Solomon to the army barracks in Oshodi.

Instead, Wanogho and an accomplice took Solomon to the Third Mainland Bridge, where they stole his iPhone 13 and money before abandoning him.

The RRS recovered a Nigerian Army fez cap and a fake identity card from Wanogho, who reportedly sold the stolen iPhone 13 for N150,000 in Computer Village.

The suspect has been transferred to the Commissioner of Police’s Special Squad for further investigation.

Husband Sets Wife Ablaze Over Alleged Infidelity in Anambra

By
Nnenna Nwankwo
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A tragic incident occurred in Eziezekwe village, Abagana, in the Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, where a middle-aged man, Nwana, set his wife, Chioma Nwana, ablaze following a heated altercation over suspected infidelity.

The incident happened on Tuesday evening, and Chioma, who sustained severe burns, was rushed to a nearby hospital but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday morning.

According to sources in the community, Nwana confronted his wife when she returned home after an alleged outing with another man. The argument spiraled out of control, leading him to douse her with petrol and set her on fire.

The couple, who had six children, had been living together in the village before the incident. Following the act, Nwana reportedly presented himself at the Abagana Divisional Police Station, confessing to the crime.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, stating that the suspect is currently in custody. The Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, has ordered the transfer of the case to the Homicide Unit for a thorough investigation.

Kwara State Declares No Confirmed Cases of Avian Influenza

By
Saladin Babagana
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The Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has announced that there are no confirmed cases of Avian Influenza in the state .

This declaration comes after a reported outbreak of the highly pathogenic Avian influenza in Kano State.

According to the Press Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Omotola Ashaolu, the government is raising public awareness to prevent the occurrence of Avian Influenza and safeguard the poultry industry and public health.

Preventive Measures

To prevent the spread of Avian Influenza, the government has called for:

  • Restriction of access to poultry farms
  • Prevention of wild birds from interacting with domestic poultry
  • Prompt reporting of suspected cases
  • Use of protective equipment

Ashaolu has urged poultry farmers to report suspected cases or seek advice from experts. The ministry has emphasized the importance of strict compliance with these guidelines to protect Kwara State from the threat of Avian Influenza.

It’s worth noting that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed outbreaks of Avian Influenza in seven states, including Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Niger . However, Kwara State has not reported any confirmed cases.

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