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JUST IN: House of Reps demands urgent crackdown on fake drug syndicates

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The House of Representatives has called for a more aggressive crackdown on the production and distribution of counterfeit and expired drugs in Nigeria, following the recent discovery of an illegal drug manufacturing facility in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State.

The resolution was moved by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, who raised alarms over the growing issue of fake pharmaceuticals during plenary in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ezechi revealed that the illegal factory, located in a remote village, was involved in rebranding expired drugs by altering their expiry dates and producing counterfeit medications, including injectables, which were being distributed to unsuspecting Nigerians.

“The consumption of fake and substandard drugs poses severe health risks, including treatment failures, drug resistance, and even death,” Ezechi stated.

He warned that such criminal activities undermine Nigeria’s healthcare system and put millions at risk.

The House expressed deep concern that the Osisioma Ngwa incident was not an isolated case but part of a broader public health crisis, as similar counterfeit drug operations have been uncovered across the country.

The lawmakers noted that the circulation of such harmful products has contributed to Nigeria’s high mortality rate, with citizens unknowingly consuming ineffective or toxic medications.

The House strongly condemned the production and distribution of fake drugs and commended law enforcement agencies for their efforts in uncovering the Abia State operation. 

It urged the federal government to direct the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), and other relevant agencies to intensify surveillance, inspections, and crackdowns on fake drug manufacturers and distributors nationwide.

The lawmakers noted that the circulation of such harmful products has contributed to Nigeria’s high mortality rate, with citizens unknowingly consuming ineffective or toxic medications.

The House strongly condemned the production and distribution of fake drugs and commended law enforcement agencies for their efforts in uncovering the Abia State operation. 

It urged the federal government to direct the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), and other relevant agencies to intensify surveillance, inspections, and crackdowns on fake drug manufacturers and distributors nationwide.

Additionally, the House mandated its Committees on Health and Drugs and Narcotics to investigate the widespread issue of counterfeit drugs in the country.

It also called for increased public awareness campaigns on the dangers of fake drugs and the introduction of advanced tracking and authentication systems to help consumers verify the authenticity of pharmaceutical products before purchase.

The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with security agencies, to implement stricter penalties for individuals and organizations involved in the illegal drug trade, ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law.

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Nigeria Police Unveils New IGP Portrait

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The Nigeria Police Force has recently unveiled the official portrait of the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu (also referred to as Tunji Disu).

This follows his appointment as Acting IGP on February 24, 2026, after the resignation of the previous IGP, Kayode Egbetokun (who cited family reasons).

The Nigeria Police Council unanimously confirmed and endorsed Disu as the substantive IGP on March 2, 2026, during a meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu. His formal swearing-in is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

The portrait was released on March 3, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, via official channels (including X/Twitter and the Nigeria Police Force’s social media).

It depicts Disu in full police uniform and is set to be displayed at key police formations nationwide as part of the formal recognition of his leadership role as the 23rd indigenous IGP.

Disu, born April 13, 1966 (age 59), hails from Lagos Island and joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992. He has a background in public administration, forensic investigation, criminology, security studies, and more.

Prior roles include heading the Special Protection Unit and Force CID Annex in Lagos, and he previously served as Aide-de-Camp to then-Lagos Governor Bola Tinubu (during which time Egbetokun was also in the governor’s security detail).

This marks a leadership transition amid ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, with congratulations and discussions already circulating on social media and news outlets.

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BRT Bursts into Flame on Mile-12 Bridge in Lagos

Passengers quickly evacuated the vehicle and moved to safety following the outbreak of the fire.

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Passengers narrowly escaped death on Tuesday when a moving Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus caught fire on the Mile-12 Bridge along Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

Eyewitnesses reported that the high-capacity bus burst into flames mid-morning while in transit.

Passengers quickly evacuated the vehicle and moved to safety following the outbreak of the fire.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, working alongside other emergency responders, promptly extinguished the blaze.

The burnt bus was later removed from the bridge to prevent disruption to traffic flow.

The burnt bus was later removed from the bridge to prevent disruption to traffic flow.

Fortunately, there were no casualties reported from the incident.

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President Tinubu nominates Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance

Before President Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Oyedele(from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State), was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

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Taiwo Oyedele and President Tinubu. Credit: State House Photo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Mr Taiwo Oyedele as the minister of state for finance, replacing Dr Doris Anite-Uzoka.

Anite-Uzoka will now move to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, as the Minister of State, her third portfolio in the administration. President Tinubu has today conveyed the nomination of Oyedele to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Before President Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Oyedele(from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State), was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

Oyedele, 50, is an economist, accountant and public policy expert.

He attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance.

He attended Oxford Brookes University and earned a BSc in applied accounting.

He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

Oyedele spent 22 years of his working career at PwC, joined in 2001 and rose to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

Oyedele is also a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.

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