News

Human trafficking: Security operatives rescue two pregnant women, nursing mother, seven minors in Plateau

Published

2 months ago

June 6, 2026

Preport

Security operatives on Thursday, successfully rescued two pregnant women, one nursing mother and eight children from suspected human traffickers at a motor park in Zawan Junction located in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The victims were allegedly being trafficked illegally to work in mining camps in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Special Adviser to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Gender and Chairperson of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, Olivia Dazyam, who confirmed the incident while briefing journalists at the Commission’s headquarters in Jos, said three of the suspects were also arrested during the operation which she led after getting credible information on the operations of a human trafficking syndicate at the illegal motor park.

Dazyam said the rescue operation further exposed what she described as a decade-long trafficking operation that had quietly consumed the futures of scores of Plateau children and young women.

She stated that the Commission acted on a tip-off from a Zawan community member regarding an illegal park that operated only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“A member of the Zawan community drew our attention to what, according to him, looked like an illegal motor park.

“He wanted to find out if we knew about the existence of that park, and he gave me the information that the park operates only on Thursdays and Tuesdays.

“He said that on Thursdays, the syndicate would convey passengers to a location in Ibadan and on Tuesdays, they would bring back some people into that park, and drop them there,” she said.

Dazyam said during a discreet investigation carried out by her agency, it was discovered that the victims were usually children with some of them as young as 11 years old who were taken to the mining sites and forced into hard labour.

She explained that she and her team visited the site and found five vehicles loading passengers for what appeared to be a night journey.

“When we got to the illegal park, we discovered persons below 18 years who were about to travel. We were told that there is a mining pond in Ibadan, Oyo State, where the victims are being recruited to go and serve as labourers on those mining camps,” she said.

She said the conditions awaiting the victims amounted to bonded labour as they are made to work six days for their handlers and keep only one day’s earnings for themselves.

“How are you working six days of your life for some people, then only one day is for you? It means that even if you remain in Plateau State, you can actually work for the seven days for yourself, and you will gain something,” she said.

“I understand from what the informant told me that it is a chain of beneficiaries from this. They have to share the money of their labor for other beneficiaries, and this is why it is exploitative.

“All of them were to be transported, they are not the ones to pay the transport fare. It is when they arrive, probably they are able to deliver them in Ibadan in the mining communities before they pay them.

“A parent of the rescued victim got here and said he doesn’t know that two of his children are traveling. He doesn’t know, so what do you know about your children?” Dazyam asked.

Related Topics:Human minors mother Nursing operatives plateau Pregnant Rescue security trafficking women

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2027: We’ll back Wike’s Rainbow Coalition, Tinubu in Rivers – Fubara’s ally, Chidioke Ihunwo

Published

2 hours ago

August 7, 2026

Preport

A former Chairman of the Caretaker Committee in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has promised to back the candidates of the Rainbow Coalition and President Bola Tinubu’s reelection.

Ihunwo, who is a staunch ally of Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State, said his decision followed the governor’s call for reconciliation and unity.

Featuring on TVC’s Beyond the Headlines, Ihunwo said he was following Fubara’s instructions to back the coalition.

The Rainbow Coalition is a political group in Rivers State headed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

However, he said, “Our governor has said there is peace in Rivers State and that we need to move forward.” If you really back him, you need to stand with him in the Rainbow Coalition. That is what we are doing to bring peace back to our state.

“I am following the governor because he is my principal. No matter what he tells me to do, I will follow his instructions. We are going to work together to make sure every member of the Rainbow Coalition gets elected, including President.”

Ihunwo said the governor has told his supporters to back Tinubu and all the candidates from the coalition.

He said he would return to Obio/Akpor to mobilise support for the coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Health

NAFDAC warns of suspected counterfeit asthma medication found in Nigerian market

Published

3 hours ago

August 7, 2026

Preport

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted Nigerians to the circulation of a suspected counterfeit asthma medicine, warning that its use could lead to treatment failure and other serious health risks.

The agency made this known on Friday in a public alert shared on its official X account, saying the suspected falsified product, Ulmicort 0.5 mg/ml Inhalation Suspension, was detected during market surveillance conducted by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.

According to NAFDAC, AstraZeneca informed the agency that the product closely resembles its registered asthma medicine, Pulmicort (Budesonide) Nebulising Suspension, and could mislead healthcare professionals and patients.

Pulmicort is an inhaled corticosteroid prescribed to prevent asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath, and is used as a maintenance treatment for people living with asthma.

Health risks
NAFDAC warned that counterfeit medicines may not meet the required standards of quality, safety and efficacy.

It explained that such products could contain incorrect ingredients, the wrong quantity of active ingredients, harmful contaminants, or no active ingredient at all.

“The use of such products can result in treatment failure, worsening of respiratory conditions, unexpected adverse effects and other serious health consequences,” the agency said.

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways in the lungs, causing them to become inflamed and narrowed. It can lead to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing, and requires regular treatment to keep symptoms under control.

Product traced to Anambra

Providing details of the suspected counterfeit product, NAFDAC said it bears the batch number 25770416E, with a manufacturing date of June 2025 and an expiry date of May 2027.

It was reportedly found in Eastern Nigeria and traced to a distributor’s address at 15 Chizzon, Awada, Obosi North, Anambra State.

The agency added that the suspected counterfeit product is labelled as being manufactured by Legency Remedies PVT Ltd, located in Himachal Pradesh, India.

NAFDAC said it has commenced an investigation to determine the source and distribution network of the suspected counterfeit medicine.

The agency added that all its zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to intensify surveillance and conduct mop-up operations to remove the product from circulation nationwide.

READ ALSO: NAFDAC blacklists Onifam Laboratories over regulatory violations

Advice to consumers

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare professionals to buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorised distributors, and to examine product labels and packaging before use carefully.

The agency also encouraged the public to report suspected cases of counterfeit or substandard medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office via its toll-free line, email, or online reporting platforms.

It advised healthcare professionals and patients to promptly report any adverse reactions linked to medicinal products through its pharmacovigilance reporting channels.