A Chief Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Tuesday granted bail to two pilots of Caverton Helicopters, Samuel Ugorji and Samuel Buhari.

The pilots were accused by the State Government of contravening the Executive Order of Governor Nyesom Wike, issued to check the spread of coronavirus in the State.

The Court also granted bail to 10 passengers flown into Rivers by Caverton Helicopters’ pilots.

Chief Magistrate D.D . Ihua-Maduenyi granted the two pilots bail after hearing the bail application by their counsel.

The magistrate, in granting the two pilots bail, said they must present a surety who must be management staff of Caverton Helicopters.

The Court ruled that the surety must own a landed property in Port Harcourt and must ensure that the two pilots attended trial.

He added that the surety would sign a bail bond of N1 million each for the two pilots.

The magistrate adjourned the matter to May 19, 2020 for trial.

Lawyer to the Caverton pilots, Nwokedi Ibe, had moved the bail application for the two pilots.

His bail application dated April 8, 2020, but filed on April 9, 2020. It was supported by a 28-paragraph affidavit.

Attorney-General of Rivers State, Professor Zaccheus Adangor who appeared for the State did not oppose the bail application.

He, however, urged the Court to set out bail conditions to ensure that the pilots attended their trial.

For the passengers, the Court ruled that they should present two sureties who must be management staff of Carverton Helicopters and that they must sign bail bond of N500,000 for each of the passengers, as well as undertake to bring the accused persons for trial.

They were arrested at the Air Force Base, Port Harcourt after the Rivers State Police Command received intelligence on their illegal flight into the State.

The 10 passengers who were granted bail include:

1. NWOGU CHIBUNA ‘M’, AGED 39YRS

2. PETER MICHAEL ‘M’AGED 43YRS

3. AJAGBA IHEAYNI ‘M’ AGED 35YRS

4. EKPEREWECHI OGUGUO ‘M’AGED 43YRS

5. NSIKAN PIUS ‘M’ AGED 38YRS

6. ABANOBI CHINOSO ‘M’AGED 27YRS

7. UDOH HAGAN ‘M’AGED 28YRS

8. OKACHUKWU CHUKS ‘M’ AGED 41YRS

9. GODDY CHUKWU ‘M’AGED 42YRS

10. OOMERURIKE CHIJIOKE ‘M’AGED 43YRS

Addressing journalists, counsel to Caverton Helicopters, Ibe said “I want to use this medium to say there is need for mutual respect between the Federal Government and State Governments. The defendants have been granted bail. That is the essence of what happened in Court.”

Attorney-General of Rivers State, Adangor said it must be noted that Rivers State Government was not interested in the persecution of the defendants, hence it did not oppose the bail application.

He said that the State Government was only interested in prosecuting the defendants in line with the law, adding that the defendants would be released as soon as they perfected their bail.

On April 7, a Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate Court had remanded the two pilots in prison, for allegedly disobeying the Executive Order issued by the Rivers State Governor aimed at checking the spread of coronavirus in the state.

The Court, presided over by Ihua-Maduenyi remanded the two pilots at the Delta Hotels, Old GRA, Port Harcourt after the Attorney-General of Rivers State, Adangor applied for that order.

The Pilots, who were arrested by the Rivers State Police Command were arraigned by the Command via charge number: PMC/532C/2020.

A 22-year-old Nigerian student has been arrested in Budapest, the Hungary’s capital after a sex worker accused him of rape.

According to the police statement, a woman made a complaint on Saturday that she was raped in an apartment in District 7.

The woman told the detectives that she had met the man on a website which advertises sexual services. According to the woman, on April 11, at around 3 PM, the man came to her house to have sex with her. When she asked him to pay before having her, he refused and that was when she told him to leave her house.

Lezárt ügy: lakat alatt a prostituáltak réme – 00:30
— PoliceHungary

The woman further said the Nigerian man refused to leave her home and instead started choking her, after which he allegedly raped her and then fled the scene.

The police officers of the 7th district of Budapest started looking for the perpetrator immediately. They checked out the information the woman could provide about the man as well as footages from nearby security cameras.

The accused was identified as an international student of University in Hungary. He was arrested in the 6th district the same day, at 6:40 PM.

The police questioned the Nigerian student, who has a valid visa. He denied committing the crime, but is now being held in custody.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday disclosed that eight more Coronavirus patients have been discharged in the state.

He said they were discharged after testing negative twice for the deadly virus.

The governor disclosed that the eight survivors included two female and six male.

“More great news today from our Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba. 8 more people; 2 females and 6 males have tested negative and fully recovered from #COVID19. They have been discharged to return to their families,” he tweeted on Tuesday.

Sanwo-Olu said the discharge of the eight Coronavirus patients brought to 69, the total number of patients discharged so far in the State.

In his words: “This brings the number of patients successfully managed and discharged from our facilities to 69. Please, let us continue to adhere to all the safety advice from our health experts.”

More great news today from our Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba. 8 more people; 2 females and 6 males have tested negative and fully recovered from #COVID19. They have been discharged to return to their families.

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) April 14, 2020

On Monday, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, confirmed 189 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Lagos, out of which 61 had been discharged.

As at Monday, Lagos has 120 active cases of Coronavirus, but as at 5:21pm on Tuesday, it has decreased to 112 after the State discharged eight patients.

So far, Lagos has recorded six death, two evacuation cases and three transfer cases.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday announced a programme, tagged: “Food Kitchen” aimed at feeding 100,000 youths daily to cushion the effect of Coronavirus lockdown in the state.

The governor disclosed this while giving update on the Coronavirus situation in Lagos in Marina, Lagos Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

According to Sanwo-Olu, “in the next couple of days, we will commence a daily “Food Kitchen” programme which will see us aim to feed about 100,000 people daily.

“This will largely target the youths. We are identifying local food vendors who will pilot this programme and ensure that the process of cooking and serving of the meals adhere strictly to public health guidelines.”

The governor also said his administration was cleaning up its data from various social registers to get a clean list of truly vulnerable and economically challenged persons to enable it remit some cash to them.

“We aim to do these cash transfers by the end of the week to a minimum of 250,000 indigent citizens,” he said.

Also, Sanwo-Olu said he had just issued an order to the Police; LASTMA and the VIO to release all impounded vehicles arrested for minor traffic offences from the 1st of March 2020 to date.

He said the directive would take effect at the end of the lockdown.

The governor also announced that all the Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs and Small and medium-sized Enterprises, SMEs who had taken Lagos State Employment Trust Fund loans and other government programme loans would enjoy a three months moratorium.

“This will further help to cushion the effect of the lack of economic activities occasioned by the lockdown,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu reminded Lagosians that this is a season for obedience and personal responsibility, urging them to follow the guidelines as issued by the health experts and authorities.

“Please, let us cooperate with the government to ensure that we have an outcome that is favorable to all. I can assure you that we will surely overcome this pandemic, and we will emerge stronger and more determined to transform the lives of all Lagosians and all the people of Nigeria, for the better,” he said.

Nigerians may be feeling the harsh reality of the covid-19 lockdowns as an unknown twitter user posted a video of people rushing a truck and pulling down bags of food items.

In the video a lady can be heard saying that "for broad day light ooo, dem dey steal rice".

It is still unclear if the truck is distributing covid-19 relief material or the people just attacked the truck.

Residents invade a truck carrying rice. No one is save right now #Abuja pic.twitter.com/dEiOpS41j2

— CAPTAIN (@UtohPaul) April 14, 2020

Nigeria on Tuesday received a grant of N21 billion (50 million Euros) from the European Union to fight COVID-19.

Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, Head of EU delegation in Nigeria, announced the grant at a meeting with President Buhari in Abuja.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, also confirmed this in a tweet on Tuesday.

Adesina said “EU gives Nigeria a grant of 50 million Euro to fight COVID-19. Head of EU delegation, Amb Ketil Karlsen, at the event commended President Buhari for “your powerful address to the nation last night,” and for “the bold and necessary measures you’ve taken.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law the extension of the lockdown of Lagos, Ogun and the FCT, using the Quarantine Act of 2004.

It is called COVID-19 Lockdown extension. The effective date is now 14 April, meaning the second phase of the lockdown will end on 27-28 April.

He announced the extension earlier in a broadcast to Nigerians.

The first lockdown took effect on 30 March.

PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

THE QUARANTINE ACT

(CAP Q2 LFN 2004)

Commencement

COVID-19 REGULATIONS No 2 OF 2020

WHEREAS:

1. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, I issued the Covid-19 Regulations, 2020 on 30th March, 2020, by which I declared Covid-19 a dangerous infectious disease;

2. As part of efforts to defeat the disease, I ordered the restriction of movement in Lagos State, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Ogun State for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm of 30th March, 2020, to enable the Government identify, trace and isolate individuals that have come in contact with confirmed cases, in order to contain the disease;

3. It has become expedient to extend the restriction to enable the Government achieve its objective;

NOW, THEREFORE,

I, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 3 and 4 of the Quarantine Act and all other powers enabling me in that behalf, make the following Regulations-

1. Extension of Restriction/cessation of Movement in Lagos, FCT and Ogun State

The restriction/cessation of movement in Lagos State, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Ogun State is extended for a further period of 14 days with effect from Tuesday 14th April, 2020.

2. Regulations Further to Covid-19 Regulations, 2020

These Regulations are made further to the Covid – 19 Regulations, 2020 and accordingly, all the responsibilities of government officials, citizens and residents contained in the Covid – 19 Regulations, 2020 remain extant.

3. Exemptions in the Covid – 19 Regulations, 2020 Extant

All the exemptions under the Covid-19 Regulations, 2020 remain as exemptions under these Regulations.

4. Citation

These Regulations may be cited as the Covid-19 Regulations No 2 of 2020 Made at Abuja this 13th day of April, 2020.

Muhammadu Buhari

President,

Federal Republic of Nigeria

13th April, 2020

ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE EXTENSION OF COVID- 19 PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN AT THE STATE HOUSE, ABUJA
MONDAY, 13TH APRIL, 2020

1. Fellow Nigerians

2. In my addresson Sunday, 29th March, 2020, I asked the residents of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory to stay at home for an initial period of fourteen days starting from the Monday, 30th March 2020.

3. Many State Governments also introduced similar restrictions.

4. As your democratically elected leaders, we madethis very difficult decision knowing fully well it will severely disrupt your livelihoods and bring undue hardship to you, your loved ones and your communities.

5. However, suchsacrifices are needed to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our country. They were necessary to save lives.

6. Our objective was, and still remains, to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and to provide space, time and resources for an aggressive and collective action.

7. The level of compliance to the COVID-19guidelines issued has been generally good across the country.I wish to thank you all most sincerely for the great sacrifice you are making for each other at this critical time.

8. I will take this opportunity torecognise the massive support from our traditional rulers, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) during this pandemic.

9. I also acknowledge the support and contributions received from public spirited individuals, the business community and our international partners and friends.

10. I must also thank the media houses, celebrities and other public figures for the great work they are doing in sensitizing our citizens on hygienic practices, social distancing and issues associated with social gatherings.

11. As a result of the overwhelming support and cooperation received, we were able to achieve a lot during these 14 days of initial lockdown.

12. We implemented comprehensive public health measures that intensified our case identification, testing, isolation and contact tracing capabilities.

13. To date, we have identified 92% of all identified contacts while doubling the number of testing laboratories in the country and raising our testing capacity to 1,500 tests per day.

14. We also trained over 7,000 Healthcare workers on infection prevention and control while deploying NCDC teams to 19 states of the federation.

15. Lagos and Abuja today have the capacity to admit some 1,000 patients each across several treatment centres.

16. Many State Governments have also made provisions for isolation wards and treatment centres. We will also build similar centers near our airports and land borders.

17. Using our resources, and those provided through donations, we will adequately equip and man these centres in the coming weeks. Already, health care workers across all the treatment centers have been provided with the personal protective equipment that they need to safely carry out the care they provide.

18. Our hope and prayersare that we do not have to use all these centres. But we will be ready for all eventualities.

19. At this point, I must recognise the incredible work being done by our healthcare workers and volunteers across the country especially in frontline areas of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

20. You are our heroes and as a nation, we will forever remain grateful for your sacrifice during this very difficult time. More measures to motivate our health care workers are being introduced which we will announce in the coming weeks.

21. As a nation, we are on the right track to win the fight against COVID-19.

22. However, I remain concerned about the increase in number of confirmedcases and deaths being reported across the world andin Nigeria specifically.

23. On 30th March 2020, when we started our lockdown in conforming with medical and scientific advice,the total number of confirmed cases across the world was over 780,000.

24. Yesterday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally was over one million, eight hundred and fifty thousand. This figure is more than double in two weeks!

25. In the last fourteen days alone, over seventy thousand people have died due to this disease.

26. In the same period, we have seen the health system of even the most developed nations being overwhelmed by this virus.

27. Here in Nigeria, we had 131 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 12 States on 30th March 2020. We had two fatalities then.

28. This morning, Nigeria had 323 confirmed casesin twenty States. Unfortunately we now haveten fatalities. Lagos State remains thecenter and accounts for 54% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria. When combined with the FCT, the two locations represent over 71% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria.

29. Most of our efforts will continue to focus in these two locations.

30. Majority of the confirmed cases in Lagos and the FCT are individuals with recent international travel history or those that came into contact with returnees from international trips.

31. By closing our airports and land borders and putting strict conditions for seaport activities, we have reduced the impact of external factors on our country. However, the increase in the number of States with positive cases is alarming.

32. The National Centre for Disease Control has informed me that, a large proportion of new infections are now occurring in our communities, through person-to-person contacts. So we must pay attention to the danger of close contact between person to person.

33. At this point, I will remind all Nigerians to continue to take responsibility for the recommended measures to prevent transmission, including maintaining physical distancing, good personal hygiene and staying at home.

34. In addition, I have signed the Quarantine Order in this regard and additional regulations to provide clarity in respect of the control measures for the COVID-19pandemic which will be released soon.

35. The public health response to COVID-19 is built on our ability to detect, test and admit cases as well as trace all their contacts. While I note some appreciable progress, we can achieve a lot more.

36. Today, the cessation of movement, physical distancing measures and the prohibition of mass gatherings remain the most efficient and effective way of reducing the transmission of the virus.By sustaining these measures, combined with extensive testing and contact tracing, we can take control and limit the spread of the disease.

37. Our approach to the virus remains in 2 steps - First, to protect the lives of our fellow Nigerians and residents living here and second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners.

38. With this in mind and having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, it has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT for another fourteen days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020.I am therefore once again asking you all to work with Government in this fight.

39. This is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death. Mosques in Makkah and Madina have been closed. The Pope celebrated Mass on an empty St. Peter’s Square. The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris held Easter Mass with less than 10 people. India, Italy and France are in complete lockdown. Other countries are in the process of following suit. We can not be lax.

40. The previously issued guidelines on exempted services shall remain.

41. This is a difficult decision to take, but I am convinced that this is the right decision. The evidence is clear.

42. The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action is unimaginable.

43. Wemust not lose the gains achieved thus far. We must not allow a rapid increase in community transmission. We must endure a little longer.

44. I will therefore take this opportunity to urge you all to notify the relevant authorities if you or your loved ones develop any symptoms. I will also ask our health care professionals to redouble their efforts to identify all suspected cases, bring them into care and prevent transmission to others.

45. No country can afford the full impact of a sustained restriction of movement on its economy.I am fully aware of the great difficulties experienced especially by those who earn a daily wage such as traders, dayworkers, artisans and manual workers.

46. For this group, their sustenance depends on their ability to go out. Their livelihoods depend on them mingling with others and about seeking work. But despite these realities we must not change the restrictions.

47. In the past two weeks, we announced palliative measures such as food distribution, cash transfers and loans repayment waivers to ease the pains of our restrictive policies during this difficult time. These palliatives will be sustained.

48. I have also directed that the current social register be expanded from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks. This means we will support an additional one million homes with our social investment programs. A technical committee is working on this and will submit a report to mebythe end of this week.

49. The Security Agencies have risen to the challenges posed by this unprecedented situation with gallantry and I commend them. I urge them to continue to maintain utmost vigilance, firmness as well as restraint in enforcing the restriction orders while not neglecting statutory security responsibilities.

50. Fellow Nigerians, follow the instructions on social distancing. The irresponsibility of the few can lead to the death of the many. Your freedom ends where other people’s rights begin.

51. The response of our State Governors has been particularly impressive, especially in aligning their policies and actions to those of the Federal Government.

52. In the coming weeks, I want to assure you that the Federal Government, through the Presidential Task Force, will do whatever it takes to support you in this very difficult period. I have no doubt that, by working together and carefully following the rules, we shall get over this pandemic.

53. I must also thank the Legislative arm of Government for all their support and donations in this very difficult period. This collaboration is critical to the short and long-term success of all the measures that we have instituted in response to the pandemic.

54. As a result of this pandemic, the world as we know it has changed. The way we interact with each other, conduct our businesses and trade, travel, educate our children and earn our livelihoods will be different.

55. To ensure our economy adapts to this new reality, I am directing the Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment,Communication and Digital Economy,Science and Technology,Transportation, Aviation,Interior,Health, Works and Housing, Labour and Employment andEducation to jointly develop a comprehensive policy for a “Nigerian economy functioning with COVID-19”.

56. The Ministers will be supported by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and Economic Sustainability Committee in executing this mandate.

57. I am also directing the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Security Adviser, the Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council and the Chairman, Presidential Fertiliser Initiative to work with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19to ensure the impact of this pandemic on our 2020 farming season is minimized.

58. Finally, I want to thank the members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for all their hard work so far. Indeed, the patriotism shown in your work is exemplary and highly commendable.

59. Fellow Nigerians, I have no doubt that by working together and carefully following the rules, we shall get over this pandemic and emerge stronger in the end.

60. I thank you all for listening and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

THE ongoing lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Lagos and Ogun States may continue for as long as necessary, President Muhammadu Buhari hinted on Saturday.

The lockdown may even be extended to more states as the total confirmed cases in the country reached 318 last night.

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has, on his own, ordered that the state be shut down immediately.

Violators of the lockdown will be arrested, he said.

His Kano State counterpart, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, directed tricycle operators in the state to carry only one passenger for now following the detection of an infection in the state -a 75 year old man described as a retired ambassador.

Buhari in a statement on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said made afresh appeal to Nigerians to endure the harsh realities of some of the conditions imposed in the fight against Coronavirus.

He said all countries of the world are currently fighting for their own survival and Nigeria’s help will come from no other country but from Nigerians themselves.

While appreciating Nigerians for their understanding so far, he warned that the current lockdown in parts of the country might be extended.

The original 14-day lockdown in the FCT and Lagos and Ogun States should have ended on Tuesday.

He said: “we realize that today, there will be sons and daughters unable to visit their parents, and elders that are isolated from young ones. And there will be those who live day-to-day, eating as they earn, who face real and present suffering.

“No elected government could ask more of the citizens of the country that elected them than today we ask of you. But we must ask you – once more – to observe restrictions on movement where they are in place, and follow the instructions of our scientists and medical advisers: stay home, wash your hands, save lives.

“The freedoms we ask you to willingly forsake today will only last as long as our scientific advisers declare they are necessary. But they are essential – world over – to halt and defeat the spread of this virus.

“For those who suffer most egregiously, the Government has announced multiple measures to assist: 70,000 tonnes of grain is being released from the National Strategic Grain Reserves for distribution to those in most need; distribution of small cash payments are also being made, and will continue to be made by the federal government in the states and local government areas.

“We ask you to listen and follow public announcements via the mass media for instructions as to how to receive this government support – and learn of more public assistance in the coming days.

“All that the Government is asking you to endure is because nowhere in the world today is there any known way of defeating this pandemic. There is no vaccine. And that means there are choices to be made: between continuing as usual, or accepting the restrictions even when they come with unintended consequences.

“But at this darkest hour, it remains our duty to offer you the full and unvarnished truth: This is a global pandemic. 210 countries and territories across the globe are affected. We cannot expect others to come to our assistance. No one is coming to defeat this virus for us.

“Instead, the defeat of the virus in our country will be in our hands, alone. We cannot wait for others. We can only depend on ourselves now. And so we must – and we will – end this outbreak ourselves as Nigerians, together.”

Anambra State first Index Case

Anambra State which also recorded its index case on Friday was shut down yesterday on the order of Governor Obiano.

He directed security operatives to arrest violators of the new order.

The governor, in a broadcast, said the index case came from Lagos but has been placed in “one of our Protective Care Centers.”

He said: “At the same time, we have commenced aggressive Contact Tracing to ensure that everyone he came in contact with is brought into the net for a professional handling that will save lives.

“Ndi Anambra, I urge you not to panic over this. It did not take us by surprise. We are adequately prepared to handle the situation”

“We have trained enough manpower on how to handle Covid-19 cases and our Protective Care Centers are among the best in the country at the moment”

He ordered a restriction on movement for another two weeks.

He said: “this time, we are placing a comprehensive Lock down on Anambra State. We shall not tolerate any movement across the state by individuals and groups”

“Only people on essential services are permitted to move around in the delivery of those services to the people”

“Ndi Anambra are advised to stay indoors to avoid getting contaminated by this virus. The security agencies will enforce the restriction on movement this time and they have my authorization to make arrests where necessary to keep our dear state safe”

“All boundaries with neighbouring states remain closed. There will be no vehicular or human traffic across all the boundaries of Anambra State.

“Now that we have the first recorded incident in Anambra State, our fight against Coronavirus has just started”

“All hands must be on deck to stamp the pandemic out of our beloved state. Ndi Anambra, I have no doubt that if we work together, we shall win this race.”

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday announced the recovery and discharge of five more COVID-19 patients.

This brings to 55 the number of patients discharged from the isolation centres in the state.

The news on the discharge of the Lagos patients was followed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmation of five new cases in three states of Lagos and Kwara (two each) and one in Katsina.

According to the NCDC, the total number of confirmed cases stood at 323 with 85 persons discharged and 10 deaths recorded.

Sanwo-Olu, who said the patients were discharged after testing negative twice to the virus, identified in a statement that those discharged as four females and one male.

The statement reads: “Dear citizens, as we commemorate the sacrifice of Love this Easter, I bring to you more awesome news from our isolation facilities.

“Today, five more patients; four females, and one male have been discharged to reunite with their families and society.

“The patients were discharged having recovered fully and tested negative twice consecutively to #COVID19.”

The governor added: “This news, especially on this auspicious day, gives me joy and happiness and I am sure it does to you too.

“While we look forward to more great news from our effort to contain the pandemic, let’s all continue to show love and sacrifice for the course of humanity.

“Stay at home, practice Social Distancing Principle, observe the highest possible personal and hand hygiene and report the suspicion to appropriate persons.

“Let’s continue to make the little sacrifices for the greater good.”

Also on Sunday, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi said the death of another COVID-19 patient raised the total number so far in the state to five.

Announcing the development via his Twitter handle, Abayomi said the death was due to complication from the virus.

“Unfortunately, Lagos recorded another death from #COVID19 related complication, bringing numbers of such sad occurrence to five,” Prof Abayomi said.

Nineteen of the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves have dipped to $34.58 billion, a 10.25 per cent decline year-to-date. The reserves stood at $38.53 billion on January 2 and have been drawn down by $3.95 billion in the last three months.

There are new fears of further devaluation of the naira due to dip in foreign exchange earnings and reserves as crude oil prices continue to decline.

The naira has tumbled to its weakest level in five years in the parallel market at N415 to a dollar, widening the gap with an official rate of N360 to a dollar. The naira has continued to come under pressure despite COVID-19 lockdown that slowed economic activities and reduced import demand for the dollar.

Given Nigeria’s reliance on crude oil for 90 per cent of foreign exchange revenue, the stability of the naira depends largely on crude oil prices, which have disappointed in recent months. The extended drop in oil prices is increasing pressure on the naira, with continuation around the $25 a barrel levels posing a risk of further devaluation.

Afrinvest Securities Head of Research Abiodun Keripe said a second level naira adjustment was inevitable.

He said: “Agreeably, there is relatively slow down on economic activities, which have moderated pressure on the naira. As activities return to normal after the COVID-19 lockdown, and businesses begin to demand more dollars to cover import needs, there will be renewed pressure on the naira, and a second level adjustment will occur.”

Keripe said whatever gain would be made through the OPEC‘s decision to cut oil production will have little or no effect on the state of the reserves and Nigeria’s dollar earnings, making further devaluation of the naira inevitable.

In a report titled: ‘Low Oil Pressures Naira’, Trading Desk Manager, at AZA (a non-bank currency broker), Murega Mungai, said: “The naira tumbled to its weakest level in five years in the parallel market at 415 per dollar, widening the gap with an official rate of 380. Given Nigeria’s reliance on crude for 90 per cent of foreign exchange revenue, all eyes are on the oil markets. The extended drop in oil prices today will increase pressure on the naira, with continuation around the $25 a barrel levels posing a risk of further devaluation.”

Nigeria on Sunday joined its other Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)+ counterparts to bring into effect the agreement to cut 9.7 million barrels of supply.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Chief Timipre Sylva, in a statement, said the development followed the alignment of Mexico.

He added that the “ intervention of the United States of America resulted in Mexico agreeing to a cut of 100 KBOPD and to be complemented by an additional 300 KBOPD by US Producers.”

Syva said this would enable the rebalancing of the oil markets and the expected rebound of prices by $15 per barrel in the short term.

He added: “As agreed, Nigeria will join OPEC+ to cut supply by 9.7 Million Barrels per day between May and June 2020, Eight (8) Million Barrels per day between July and December 2020 and Six (6) Million barrels per day from January 2021 to April 2022, respectively.

“Based on reference production of Nigeria of October 2018 of 1.829 Million Barrels per day of dry crude oil, Nigeria will now be producing 1.412 Million Barrels per day, 1.495 Million Barrels per day and 1.579 Million Barrels per day respectively for the corresponding periods in the agreement. This is in addition to condensate production of between 360-460 KBOPD of which are exempt from OPEC curtailment.”

Kidnappers in Bachi state have killed the 15-year-old son of a medical doctor, Rilwanu Sadiq, after reportedly collecting N4.5million ransom.

Abubakar who attends a Secondary school in Bauchi, was abducted in front of his father’s house along Gombe road in Ningi local government area of the state on April 1st, THE Nation reports.

Dr Sadiq, who works at the Abubakar Tafawa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, said he was at work when he got the news of his son’s abduction. He immediately reported the matter to the neighbourhood security outfit as well as the state police.

Sadiq said his son’s abductors contacted him and initially demanded for N3 million ransom which he paid. Afterwards they demanded for another N1.5 million. He said he had to pay so he could get reunited with his son.

“We were giving them at intervals. They got 2 million hand-to-hand from me. The balance of 2.5 was paid into about five bank accounts. But they kept asking for more. That was when I said I can’t bear it anymore, not knowing that they will even kill my son.” Dr Sadiq said

The corpse of his son was exhumed from a shallow ditch inside an uncompleted building not far from their home on Sunday April 12. The distraught Father said he believes that his son’s killers, based on his kidnap and where his body was buried, are well acquainted with his family.

Commenting on the incident, the spokesperson of the state police command, Kamal Datti, said two persons have been arrested in connection with the death.

“Two suspects have been arrested in relation to the death, and investigation is on” Datti said

Controversial prophet who said the world would end while he would resurrect like Jesus Christ on April 4th has said he begged God to change his mind hence the reason nothing happened.

The self -proclaimed pastor from Kenya prophet Owuor has allegedly said he begged God to postpone the end of the world, which he had predicted to end on April 12th.

Recall that the prophet had last week made a public prophecy that the world was Going to end on the 12 of April by midnight. And since the prophecy, people in his native country Kenya and the rest of the world had been on the alert for the rapture.

The Kenyan prophet also shared with his congregation his claims that he would be assassinated in the City of Jerusalem but would be taken up to heaven by God. In his claims, the prophet said after his assassination, his body would be abandoned and denied burial.

Owuor, popularly referred to as the “Mightiest Prophet of the Lord” by his congregants said he would exit the scene just like Jesus Christ did but that his will be after he completes his witnessing assignment on earth.

It however came as a shock to many that nothing happened at the exact time the cleric predicted and many began to call him fake.

Owuor was however alleged to have stated before the due time that he had begged God for forgiveness on behalf of sinners in the world and then asked Him to postpone the coming of the Christ.

A police officer, Taloju Martins has been arrested after extorting N40,000 from a motorist in Lagos state.

Recall that the officer was captured in a video posted on Twitter on Saturday counting the money after extorting it from the motorist.

The police spokesperson in Lagos State, Bala Elkana, said in a statement on Sunday that the money was handed to the man by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, on Sunday.

The police posted a photo on Twitter showing the man receiving the money.

It was gathered that the officer, Taloju Martins, alongside other police officers ‘arrested’ the unidentified victim and confiscated his car on Friday along Ago Palace Road, Okota, apparently for violating the Lagos State government stay-at-home order to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus.

He was allegedly forced to pay N40,000 before he could get back his car.

The inspector, said to be the station officer at the Ago police station, Okota, is seen in the video collecting wads of naira notes in N1,000 denomination, and counting them to confirm how much the money was.

The officer was arrested by the police on Saturday. He is to face an orderly room trial.

Kindly avail this unit more information via our DM, thank you for contacting NPF-CRU https://t.co/WqV2cqMGyB

— POLICE COMPLAINT (@PoliceNG_CRU) April 11, 2020

“The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Criminal Investigation to carry out an in-depth investigation into the activities of Ago Police Station as a whole,” said Mr Elkana, a deputy superintendent of police.

“Commissioner of Police has reaffirmed his stance against corrupt practices and impunity. Members of the public will be updated on the outcome of the investigation.”

12th April, 2020.

Press Release

Police Inspector in viral video arrested and tried for extortion

Attention of Lagos State Police Command is drawn to a video on social media in which an Inspector was captured counting #40,000 he extorted from the owner pic.twitter.com/q59VoU80gU

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 12, 2020

Over the weekend, a married man and father of four kids was reportedly found dead inside an empty container, which served as shop and an apartment for him and his lover at Whitesand area of Orile Iganmu, Lagos.

The deceased, identified simply as Akin, was an agent with a betting company, and had two staking centres at Adunni Plaza and at Badia Industrial Scheme, Ijora.

He was said to have slumped during sex with his lover, later discovered to be a pregnant married woman. The woman was immediately rushed to an undisclosed private hospital, as she was said to be gasping for breath when the container was forced open.

AK, as he was fondly called, was also a merchant in fruits at Orile Iganmu Fruits Market.
The Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, in the area, who identified himself as Mr. Orebintin, explained that a sales boy, who resumed work, discovered that the container was locked from within.
Orebitin said, “We are still in shock. Nobody knows how it happened. This is not the first time they were sleeping inside the container”.
“One of the sales boys drew our attention to the tragedy. He came to open for the day’s sales, but discovered that the door was locked from inside. After several attempts to open it failed, we assisted him to force the cardboard attached to the roof of the container open. On entering through the roof, we found Akin stone dead while the woman was gasping for breath. We had to alert the Police at Orile Division, who rushed the woman to a private hospital for treatment.”

Meanwhile, when the man’s wife was contacted on phone to rush down to the hospital where her husband was, she was said to have initially refused, accusing him of abandoning her and their children for three weeks.She eventually arrived the hospital only to discover that her husband was dead.

Police sources at Orile Division said that during inspection of the crime scene, a power generating set was discovered. It was said to have been on while the lovers were inside. It was concluded that the lovers may have died after inhaling fumes from the power generating set. It was later learnt that the corpse had been released to his family for burial at the deceased’s Sango-Ota residence.

The leader of a cult gang, which has been terrorizing some parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Moshood Oladokun, popularly known as Ekugbemi is dead.

DAILY POST gathered that Oladokun, who reportedly died and resurrected a few hours after being taken to his father’s shrine, finally died Saturday night on his way to hospital.

It could be recalled that no fewer than fifteen (15) residents of Ibadan sustained various degrees of injuries when two factions of cult groups led by Oladokun and Ebila Biola engaged each other over collection of land royalty.

Oladokun was attacked at his hideout in Olomi-Olunde area of Ibadan by a rival group led by one notorious gang leader called Biola, the leader of “One million boys”.

A source who asked not to be named said Oladokun died but got resurrected after being taken to his father’s shrine.

The source, however, said that Oladokun finally died late Saturday night as a result of losing much blood from the gunshot, matchet cut and other dangerous weapon used in attacking him.

According to the source, “We were all indoors when the news got to us that Oladokun has been murdered. His wife called him that she has been held captive by some hoodlums around the Olomi-Olunde area. He got to the venue and seized two motorcycles brought by those hoodlums which he planned to take to the police station.

“On his way to the police station, he was attacked with a gun, axes and cutlass by Biola-led ‘One Million Boys gang’. There, he was confirmed dead in a pool of blood.

“Before he was taken to his father’s shrine, we all confirmed his death. At the shrine, one of his father’s friends came with a hen and started some incarnations. He dropped the hen and Moshood sneezed, while the hen died immediately. Later in the night, he gave up the ghost, having lost so much blood.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Olugbenga Fadeyi confirmed the death of the gang leader to DAILY POST on Sunday.

Fadeyi said “Yes, he has died”.

The Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, on Sunday, ordered the arrest of the traditional rulers of Umuogodoakpu-Ngbo and Ohankwu communities in the Ohaukwu and Ikwo local government areas of the state.

The governor gave the order over the missing of a naval officer and the killing of a 70-year-old woman in both communities.

Umahi also ordered the arrest of the coordinators of the Ohaukwu West and Ikwo East development centres, Stephen Ogenyi and Mr Ekuma Emmanuel, respectively, both in Ohaukwu and Ikwo LGAs over the two incidents.

Umahi, who stated this during his Easter broadcast, equally suspended the technical assistants, senior technical assistants, executive assistants, laison officers, management committee members and other appointees from both communities.

The naval officer got missing at Eguorie village while a 70-year-old woman was also allegedly killed by Ohankwu people of the Ikwo LGA of the state.

According to Umahi, if by Tuesday the monarchs failed to provide information on the identities of perpetrators of the incidents that led to the missing of the naval officer and killing of the woman, they would be dethroned.

Ten foreigners who broke a coronavirus lockdown in an Indian town were handed an unforgettable schoolboy-like punishment on Sunday by the police.

They were forced to atone by writing “I am so sorry” — 500 times.

The incident involving the foreigners happened in Rishikresh, a town made famous by the Beatles in 1968. The city is also a world centre for yoga.

India imposed a nationwide lockdown near the end of March.

Residents are permitted to leave their homes only for essential services such as buying groceries and medicine.

The travellers — from Israel, Mexico, Australia and Austria — were caught taking a walk.

Local police officer Vinod Sharma said they were each made to write 500 times “I did not follow the rules of lockdown so I am so sorry.”

More than 700 foreign tourists from the US, Australia, Mexico and Israel staying in the area had flouted the lockdown rules, Sharma said, adding the unusual punishment was handed out to teach them a lesson.

Police said they would direct hotels in the area to allow foreign guests to step out only if accompanied by local helpers.

Establishments that did not follow the order could face legal action, Sharma said.

Police have come up with unusual methods to encourage people to stay home to halt the spread of the deadly disease, including wearing coronavirus-shaped helmets.

But officers in some states were also seen in videos on social media beating drivers on roadsides and making people out and about during lockdown do squats and leapfrogs as punishment.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to extend by two weeks the nationwide lockdown in a broadcast today.

The lockdown was originally slated to end on Tuesday. .

Some states have already extended the restrictions.

On Sunday, India had registered more than 9,240 coronavirus cases and 331 deaths from the disease.

Source: PM News

To think two of these guys actually grew up in my area and my mama could recognize them.

These boys are not even up to 18, all living with their parents.

Here i was thinking the people perpetrating this evil are the thugs

To think two of these guys actually grew up in my area and my mama could recognize them.
These boys are not even up to 18, all living with their parents.
Here i was thinking the people perpetrating this evil are the thugs#OgunUnrest#LagosUnrestpic.twitter.com/VxzDIpRmCV

— • General Zee 🎭 • (@heisTactic) April 12, 2020

If they are robbing in your area, call the Special Anti Robbery Squad and say some yahoo boys are doing party in your area, making noise and throwing money in the air. In fact you suspect they just bought new cars, You will see them in 5 minutes #LagosUnrest #OgunUnrest

— RUN O (@BADDESTDJTIMMY) April 12, 2020

In case of robbery in your area, see the DPO numbers in the images below. Check for your area. They're Lagos Police Emergency Numbers.

Such courageous and fine reporting from this brilliant journalist @AnetaFelix 👏🏽See how residents came out to protect their communities.
#LagosUnrest #AgbuleEgba #COVID19 #OgunUnrestMore pic.twitter.com/xFDfjHAuqT

— Miz Philz (@miz_philz) April 12, 2020

Robbery Reports are coming in from, Alagbado, Agbado, ijaiye, Abule Egba, Agege, Ogba, Akute, Ota, Sango.

The residents turned to Vigilante, to secure the area. Are we on our own now? 💔
#LagosUnrest #OgunUnrest
pic.twitter.com/XHL5ykONqp

— DANNY WALTER 👑 (@Danny_Walterr) April 12, 2020

Dear @PoliceNG. Two days ago, @iSlimfit warned that #OgunUnrest may spread to neighbouring states like Lagos. You said you were addressing the situation. How are you addressing #LagosUnrest please? https://t.co/TDvqKJBoAo

— Dr. Joe Abah (@DrJoeAbah) April 12, 2020

We are securing the area ourselves... over 100 men on standby.. thanks to Nigeria police too @PoliceNG I have seen 6 patrol van moving area the area #abuleegba #LagosUnrest .. I rep Clem Road... Agbado area pic.twitter.com/iBjYaEder6

— Tolulope Alli (@2tolu) April 12, 2020

So some Men are dragging Feminists for not coming out to Join the Vigilante with Cutlass to defend their Neighborhood against the robberies.

What do you think. Should Women join the Vigilante group? 🤔 #LagosUnrest #OgunUnrest

— DANNY WALTER 👑 (@Danny_Walterr) April 12, 2020

they’re saying “come outside, they’re already in the vicinity” “come outside don’t let them attack you in your homes” this is really serious @PoliceNG please! #LagosUnrest #OgunUnrest pic.twitter.com/flLHBX7B8x

— #onenigerianatatime (@Stee_vane) April 12, 2020

APM Boys Are Now Armed Robbers In Ogun State

How many of you have the video where Jango was sharing money for APM boys in one secondary school? Go and watch the video again & again you will see these three guys among them.#OgunUnrest #LagosUnrest pic.twitter.com/iOzO8Hy4AY

— #OgunUnrest/LagosUnrest (@_Albaseet28) April 12, 2020

Both Strong and the Weak are on the street at Ahmadiyya around Abule Egba area doing night watchman...

@PoliceNG @jidesanwoolu please come to our aid oo, we arm less and weak.

Every one gonna flee, if the sh!t turnaround.

From #OgunUnrest to #LagosUnrest pic.twitter.com/dQQ05MbFoG

— Monsoor Ahmad (@ahmad_monsoor) April 12, 2020

#LagosUnrest Abule Egba

Here are Lagos State Police EMERGENCY NUMBERS, share with others pic.twitter.com/dvoLorUxRQ

— Osas Cruz (@theOsasCruz) April 12, 2020

A former Nigerian Ambassador has tested positive for Coronavirus in Kano State, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje disclosed on Saturday.

This is the first confirmed Coronavirus case recorded in Kano.

The governor, who did not mention the name of the former Ambassador said the victim is 75-year-old.

According to the governor, the state government took the blood samples of 10 suspected cases to Abuja three days ago, with nine coming out negative while the former Ambassador’s test was positive.

The governor described the development as sad, pointing out that the state would take more drastic measures to ensure that the situation did not get out of hand.

He also ordered that tricycles in the state would henceforth be mandated to carry only one passenger as part of measures to prevent further spread of the virus.

“Indeed, it is a sad moment for us. This is an occasion that we are not happy with. I am unhappy to inform the people of Kano state that today, we got a patient who tested positive to COVID-19. He is a 75-year- old retiree and former Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“He travelled to Kaduna, Lagos and Abuja, and came back to Kano on 25 March, 2020,” he said in a report by The Nation.