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IPOB to NAFDAC: Return seized goods from Onitsha drug market

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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to return goods seized from traders at Ogbo Ogwu Drug Market in Onitsha, Anambra State.

In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group alleged that NAFDAC officials conducted a midnight raid on the market, blocking CCTV cameras, breaking into shops, and confiscating goods under the claim of targeting fake drugs.

IPOB criticized the method of the operation, questioning the agency’s approach and transparency.

While IPOB reaffirmed its stance against the sale of counterfeit drugs, it raised concerns over the alleged seizure of traders’ goods in their absence, the blocking of surveillance cameras, and the lack of evidence proving that all confiscated products were counterfeit.

The group posed several questions to NAFDAC, including: Why was the operation conducted at midnight? Why were CCTV cameras blocked?

Where is the evidence that the confiscated drugs were fake? Why was the entire market sealed, affecting both innocent and guilty traders?

IPOB urged NAFDAC to adopt a more professional and transparent approach to combating fake drugs, suggesting that the agency establish permanent offices in drug markets to ensure proper regulation rather than conducting surprise raids.

The statement also called for collaboration between NAFDAC and the Anambra State Government to relocate the drug market to the new Oba Drug Market, ensuring that only licensed and certified dealers are allowed to operate.

Health

NCDC : Rainy Season To Increase Cholera Outbreaks in Ten States

They are Adamawa, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba, and Kwara.

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says that raining and flooding will increase cholera outbreak in ten prone states.

They are Adamawa, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba, and Kwara.

NCDC, in a statement, yesterday, said the alarm followed flood predictions issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency indicating that the aforementioned states would experience heavy rainfall and flooding between 13th and 17th April 2026.

NCDC noted that, already, cases of cholera are on the rise across the cholera-prone states, and that could simply be attributed to the rainy season, and flood that might have contaminated people’s sources of food and water.

It said: “Recent national surveillance data show increasing cholera activity across multiple states.

Flooding during this period can rapidly increase the risk of disease outbreaks due to contamination of drinking water sources, disruption of sanitation systems, and increased exposure of communities to unsafe environmental conditions.

Importantly, these risks are preventable with early action.”

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Health

FG effects 20% tarrif slash on pharmaceutical products

Reacting to the development, the  President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ayuba-Tanko Ibrahim, described the tariff cut as a positive step but cautioned that the gains would depend on complementary policy actions.

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the Federal Government had in a document dated April 1, 2026, by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, approved sweeping tariff adjustments across 127 product lines, including antimalarial medicaments now pegged at 20 percent, as part of efforts to stimulate growth and ease the cost of critical imports.

Reacting to the development, the  President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ayuba-Tanko Ibrahim, described the tariff cut as a positive step but cautioned that the gains would depend on complementary policy actions.

“A drop in duties on drugs and pharmaceutical products is quite laudable. In normal circumstances, this should signpost a drop in prices of these products and promote accessibility to drugs and healthcare, albeit legitimately.

“The PSN appreciates and commends the commitment of the federal government in the ensuing scenario,” he said.

Emphasising that more is needed to be done to sanitise the sector, Ibrahim said: “It is noteworthy that the federal government must do a little more in terms of regulation and control of drug matters in Nigeria.

‘’Government must see a need for urgent intervention with a template akin to an all-purpose special vehicle that can help fix fundamental issues pertaining to local manufacture and drug prices.

” There is also a need to support local content in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, APIs, and vaccines availability to increase the contribution of the pharmaceutical sector to national GDP, ’’ he said.

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Resident Doctors Suspend Strike, Ask Members to Resume on Wednesday

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned indefinite nationwide strike and directed all members to resume duties on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

The decision was announced on Tuesday following successful last-minute engagements with the Federal Government and other stakeholders over the contentious suspension of the Professional Allowance Table (PAT) and other welfare issues.

NARD had earlier declared a total and comprehensive strike effective from 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, protesting the government’s move to halt implementation of the revised allowance structure, unpaid promotion arrears, and other outstanding agreements.

In a statement, the association said the suspension was reached after productive discussions, though it issued a fresh ultimatum, warning of renewed industrial action if demands are not fully met by April 21, 2026.

Patients and healthcare facilities across the country, which had braced for disruption in services, are expected to see normal operations resume from Wednesday morning.

NARD urged its members to return to work promptly while maintaining that the core issues remain unresolved and will be reviewed at the next National Executive Council meeting.

The development brings temporary relief to the public health system amid ongoing concerns over doctor shortages and welfare in Nigerian teaching and specialist hospitals.

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