Four family members have lost their lives after reportedly eating amala, a staple food, in Kwara state.

The food was suspected to have contained poisonous substances.

They were said to have become sick after consuming the staple and were rushed to university of Ilorin where they gave up the ghost.

Dr Amina El-Imam, the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, who made this known during a news conference on Tuesday in Ilorin, said the incident happened in Eruda, a community in Ilorin, the state capital.

According to her, the health team of the ministry visited the community after a report of a family that lost a number of its relatives after consumption of amala.

“On getting there, the claim was that there was an instance of food poisoning where the 70-year-old woman fell ill and died after consuming Amala.

“Unfortunately, her son and grandkids also consumed the same food, fell ill and died. They were taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, where they passed away,” she said.

El-Imam stated that the amala made from Lafun (cassava) could have been responsible for the death since those who consumed amala made from yam flour were fine.

The commissioner disclosed that several others are recuperating well in the hospitals where they are receiving treatment.

“Some are doing well and hopefully, following intensive medical treatment, they will be able to recover fully. It was observed that the residence was in a location where personal and environmental hygiene was not really optimal,” she said.

El-Imam stated that this is a case of chemical food poisoning, potentially due to underprocessed cassava used in the production of Lafun.

“We have another four cases recovering at the moment, in addition, of course, to the four that we unfortunately lost,” she lamented.

Maverick entertainer, Charles Oputa popularly known as Charly Boy has called on Nigerian youths to intensify the ongoing EndBadGovernance protests across the country.

The popular activist, who made the call on Tuesday in a post on his official X handle, said the fight for good governance is a fight for life.

He said, “My dear Nigerian Youths, I trust that by now you all know what we’re up against. We can never make an omelet without breaking eggs. The powers that be are demonically entrenched.

“We are led by people who are thieves, dishonest, insane, intolerable and don’t give a damn if we live or die. This is the fight of our lives and you guys are my bragging right.

“We can defeat this monster that has befallen us, we need to get louder and go pro max”.

DAILY POST reports that the protest against high cost of living which began on Thursday last week is expected to last for at least ten days.

Despite President Bola Tinubu’s appeal in his nationwide broadcast on Sunday, protesters on Monday stormed the streets in many states demanding immediate action to crash price of fuel, food and other essential commodities.

The exercise, however, witnessed a very low turnout across the country on Tuesday after demonstrators were allegedly suppressed by security operatives on Monday.

The Nigeria Police Force says protesters flying the Russian flag have committed a capital offence, stating that over 90 persons have already been arrested in that regard.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians participating in the ongoing EndBadGovernance protests, were caught with Russian flag, calling for military rule in Nigeria.

In viral video clips, the protesters in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna and Katsina States were seen calling on the Nigerian army to take over power from President Bola Tinubu.

However, police in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said such actions are categorized as treasonable felonies under Nigerian law.

Adejobi said investigations reveal that protest organizers in the northern states “are luring innocent children into participating in these unpatriotic and criminal acts.

“Over ninety suspects have been arrested, including tailors who sewed the flags and their sponsors. Efforts are underway to apprehend others who sponsored the production of the flags and fuelled these treasonable acts”.

According to the statement, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun directed Deputy Inspectors General of Police for the Northwest and Northeast zones, DIGs Bala Ciroma, psc, and Bello Makwashi, to “take charge of operations in the states within the two geo-political zones where subversive campaigns are ongoing under the guise of protests.

“They are tasked with stabilizing the situation and preventing further violence in the affected states”.

Nollywood actor Saidi Balogun has expressed concern about the current economic situation in Nigeria.

In a post on his Instagram page, the Yoruba actor who was a strong supporter of Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, raised questions about the existence and effectiveness of price control and regulatory agencies in the country, seeking clarification on measures to mitigate the impact of inflation

The actor highlights the need for measures to address the rising prices impacting individuals and businesses in the country, stating that the situation is already getting out of control.

“Do we have a functional price control or piece regulatory agency in Nigeria?

How do we cushion the effects of inflation?

Because things are getting out of hand” he wrote

At least sixteen persons have been arrested for financial fraud to the tune of N3.9 billion.

The suspects were apprehended by the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre over the fraud against a leading African digital commerce platform, Interswitch Limited.

The sum of N3.9bn cash and properties had so far been recovered from the suspects, with efforts ongoing to recover more.

The Department of State Services’ spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, announced the development at the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee joint press briefing in Abuja on Monday.

According to him, the centre made the arrest and recovery following a petition from Interswitch Limited regarding a glitch on its financial portal.

He added that eight of the suspects had been convicted

Afunanya said, “ The Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre tackled a massive financial fraud case, acting on a petition from Interswitch Limited regarding a glitch on its financial portal.

“The swift response led to the arrest of over 16 suspects, eight of whom have been convicted. The operation recovered over N3.9bn in cash, properties, and vehicles, with ongoing efforts to recover additional looted funds.”

Further reading out the police success, Afunanya also said the police in Taraba arrested a notorious kidnapper and recovered arms and ammunition from him.

He said, “In a parallel operation, the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad of Taraba State command arrested a notorious kidnapper, seizing three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, 19 rounds of live ammunition, 23 expended rounds, and five solar panels from his premises.”

He added that the police foiled a kidnap attempt and killed nine kidnappers.

Afunanya said, “Similarly, on July 4, 2024, the Lagos State Command operatives thwarted an attack by a notorious kidnapping gang. In a fierce gun battle, nine kidnappers were neutralised, and significant weaponry, including four AK-47 rifles, four locally-made semi-automatic pistols, nine AK-47 magazines, three walkie-talkies, a PoS machine, a loudspeaker, and two operational vehicles were recovered. Investigations continue to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“In another notable case, on April 24, 2024, 18-year-old Mallam Adamu Adamu was rescued from captivity in Kasda, Jakusko LGA, Yobe State.”

Police operatives raided the gang’s enclave, arresting three suspects and recovering two AK-47 rifles and a magazine with 26 rounds of live ammunition. The suspects will be charged to court following the investigation’s conclusion.”

A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere has extended an earlier order restricting protesters in Lagos to Freedom and Peace Pack in the Ojoto and Ketu areas of the state. 

Justice S.I. Sonaike gave the order following an application by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, for an extension order, having complied with the pre action protocols for preemptive remedies ordered last week by another vacation judge, Justice Emmanuel Ogundare.

Pedro, who was represented in court by the Director for Civil Litigations, Mr Hameed Oyenuga, told the court on Tuesday that service of the earlier court order had been served on all the respondents in compliance with the pre-action protocols for pre-emptive reliefs sought by the AG against the representatives of the protesters.

He argued that though the respondents in the suit were yet to respond to the application, there is a need to extend the earlier restriction order of the protest to two venues so that the state can continue to enjoy the relative peace being experienced despite the ongoing protests across the country.

In her ruling, Justice Sonaike noted that she is satisfied with the AG’s compliance with the orders of Justice Ogundare and order that the restriction of the protests to Freedom and Peace Parks in the Ojota and Ketu areas of the state be extended until full compliance with the preaction orders.

Justice Ogundare, last week, while ruling on a preemptive exparte application filed Mr Pedro seeking to maintain and secure public safety and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property in the state during the period of the protests, placed restrictions on the protesters. 

Listed in the application as co-defendants are Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (for Active Citizens Group); Comrade Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (for Take It Back Movement); persons unknown; and Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.

While moving his application before the court, Mr. Pedro argued that, as the Chief Law Officer of the State and having been privy to notices by different interests who are for and against the nationwide protest, there is a need to protect the critical infrastructures of the state and prevent an irreparable loss of lives and property as witnessed during the EndSARS protest in 2020.

A human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, has warned protesters to desist from anything that would jeopardize the objective of the protests.

Falana stated this while fielding questions from newsmen on Monday.  He warned Nigerian youths protesting against hunger, hardship and socio-economic policies affecting the country to be wary of thugs and distance themselves from undemocratic forces who have taken advantage of the peaceful protests to engage in violence or campaign for another military coup in the country.

 The human rights lawyer said that the act of brandishing Russian flag while protesting in Nigeria is an abuse of constitutional right.

Falana was reacting on the background of violent protests in the Northern parts of the country, where protesters were seen brandishing the Russian flag while chanting “Tinubu must go”.

In his words: “Accordingly, the right to protest is required to be exercised peacefully within the ambit of the law.

“Hence, section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 has imposed a duty on the Nigeria Police Force to provide adequate security for citizens who may wish to participate in public meetings, rallies and protests. In many parts of the country, the Police provided adequate security for the ##endbadgovernance protesters and in some cases professionalism was glaringly on display.

“Having won the legal battle for the Nigerian people to exercise their constitutional right to protest against unpopular policies of the Government, I have supported the constitutional right from all walks of life to exercise the right to protest.

“While we have supported the right of the #endbadgovernance protesters, we have a patriotic duty to call on them to distance themselves from the undemocratic forces who have taken advantage of the peaceful protests to engage in violence or campaign for another military coup in the country.

“It has become necessary to point out that calling for a military coup or waving the flag of Russia, a country that is noted for supporting unconstitutional change of government in Africa, constitutes a gross abuse of the constitutional right to protest against the Government of Nigeria.

“The legitimate protests against hardship in the land should not be turned into a campaign for unconstitutional change of government.

“Therefore, those who are involved in the illegal campaign for another military rule are advised to stop it forthwith. Otherwise, they may be accused of engaging in the offence of treasonable felony in contravention of section 41 of the Criminal Code Act.

“In order to make any form of unconstitutional change of government unattractive to the people of Nigeria, the Bola Tinubu administration ought to review the neoliberal policies that are promoting poverty and hardship in the land.