Category: PM News

The Nigerian Army has commenced the deployment of 600 troops to India for specialised jungle and mountain warfare training aimed at enhancing troops’ combat proficiency in difficult terrains.

Appolonia Anele, Acting Director Army Public Relations said this in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, the deployment of the troops to India for the training by Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu will also help to strengthen Army’s capacity to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Appolonia said the first batch of 300 personnel departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday, 22 October 2026, aboard two Indian Air Force aircraft, a C-17 and an Airbus A321.

The Coordinator, Nigerian Military Training Support and Advisory Team, Army Headquarters Department of Army Training, Major General UG Yusuf, who represented the COAS, witnessed the departure of the troops alongside the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria.

‘The training underscores the COAS’s commitment to building a professional, adaptable and combat-ready force capable of confronting terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements operating in forests, mountainous areas and other challenging environments.

‘It also aligns with his Command Philosophy, which prioritises operational effectiveness, realistic training, personnel development and enhanced combat readiness.

The specialised programme is expected to equip personnel with advanced jungle and mountain warfare skills, improve operational manoeuvrability and strengthen their capacity to deny criminal elements safe havens in difficult terrains.

‘It will further reinforce Nigeria-India defence cooperation and the COAS’s determination to sustain a resilient, mission-ready Army capable of defending the nation’s sovereignty and protecting lives and property.

‘Arrangements are also underway to airlift the remaining 300 personnel to India for the training,’ Appolonia said.

A former Principal Stock Verifier at the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Williams Oluwole has bagged a seven-year jail term for issuing a false stock verification certificate that facilitated the payment of ?29.9 million for pharmaceutical products by the federal government.

Oluwole, who was prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was convicted and jailed on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

He was arraigned before the court by ICPC on a two-count charge bordering on knowingly furnishing false statements in the discharge of his official duties, J. Okor Odey, the spokesperson for ICPC said in a statement on Thursday.

The convict, who served as Principal Stock Verifier at the Federal Ministry of Health, was accused of issuing a Stock Verification Certificate of Completion in favour of Mubaraq Pharmacy Limited in May 2015, falsely certifying that certain pharmaceutical products had been supplied when the items had yet to arrive in Nigeria.

During the trial, the prosecution established that Oluwole issued Stock Verification Certificate of Completion No. CA 0329, which facilitated the payment of ?29,996,120.00 to Mubaraq Pharmacy Limited for the purported supply of 5,113 Ribavirin injections and 5,681 Globavirin tablets.

The court held that the pharmaceutical products covered by the certificate had not been supplied at the time the convict certified their receipt, thereby creating a false impression that the contractor had fulfilled its contractual obligations and was entitled to payment.

In Count One of Charge No. CR/94/2017, the Commission accused Oluwole of knowingly furnishing a false statement in his capacity as Principal Stock Verifier at the Federal Ministry of Health by issuing the certificate upon which payment was made for the undelivered pharmaceutical products.

The offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 16 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The second count bordered on making a false statement to the then Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute, contrary to Section 25(1)(a) of the same Act.

In prosecuting the case, the ICPC, through its counsel, N. J. Onwuka, Esq., who appeared alongside P. N. Emeka, Esq., presented its case against the defendant, who was represented by Abubakar Adamu, Esq.

Delivering judgment, Justice Halilu found Oluwole guilty and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment on Count One.

The court also imposed a fine of ?100,000 on Count Two.

The trial judge further directed that the convict to serve his prison sentence at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.

The conviction underscores the criminal consequences of falsifying official records and certification documents in public procurement processes, particularly where such documents, and accountability in the management of public resources.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lamented that exit of skilled medical professionals from the West African to advanced countries is limiting access to essential medical services, thereby increasing the workload on available personnel.

President Tinubu said this on Thursday while urging medical professionals to find solutions to the challenge of medical brain drain which he noted has continued to put considerable pressure on healthcare systems in the subregion.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy said Tinubu raised the challenge on Thursday, shortly after taking the oath as a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians (WACP), at the State House, Abuja.

The President urged the College leadership to use their forthcoming conference to develop practical, sustainable solutions to the persistent challenge of medical brain drain across West Africa.

‘We are more challenged in Africa than anywhere else; you know, and with the outbreak of Ebola now we’re looking for a preventive action that will eliminate all these problems and infections. So, I wish you the best. As I pledge to behave myself, I will continue to do whatever I can do for this honourable profession,’ the President said.

President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to championing comprehensive health sector reforms to make healthcare delivery more accessible, affordable, and efficient for all Nigerians.

He commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammad Ali Pate, for driving the country’s health sector reforms.

‘We as a government are doing everything possible. Please help me congratulate the reform-oriented physician, Ali Pate, who has been doing a very good job.

President Tinubu acknowledged medical professionals’ commitment and outstanding contributions to humanity through medical research, disease prevention, life-saving interventions, and building resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to emerging and existing health challenges.

He thanked the college leadership for considering him worthy of the honour.

The President was conferred with a Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians by the Council of the West African College of Physicians (WACP), in recognition of his contributions and commitment to strengthening health sector reforms and medical development in Nigeria.

According to the College President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Mamadou Mourtala Ka, the College selects and awards the fellowship to the best-performing President in healthcare delivery across the sub-region.

‘This award is given only to presidents who have made a mark in health care delivery and affected the health of the West African people,’ he said.

West African College of Physicians (WACP),.

Dankyau said the college has awarded the fellowship only eight times in its fifty-year history, first to former President Dawda Jawara of The Gambia, and that only General Ibrahim Babangida received it as former Head of State of Nigeria in 1991.

‘So, this is the second time we are coming back to Nigeria to present to you, Mr President. The Council has noted your significant contributions to health infrastructure, improved access to care and emergency care, and massive investments in primary health care and universal health coverage.

‘At the last count, over $2.2 billion had been invested in that area for the health of the Nigerian people. We’ve also seen significant strides in disease prevention, immunisation and public health preparedness. Just a couple of days back, the health minister had also announced that we are ready and prepared to face Ebola. And so, we were able to reassure our colleagues,’ Dankyau said.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and Special Adviser to the President on Health Matters, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas.

A building collapse in the Fadeyi area of Lagos has left one person dead, while three others have been rescued alive as emergency responders continue search and rescue operations at the scene.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday at Akinola Street, near Fadeyi Bus Stop, off Ikorodu Road, when a two-storey building under construction collapsed, trapping suspected construction workers beneath the rubble.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed that the agency received a distress call at 12:10 a.m. and immediately activated its Cobra Response Team from the Onipanu Base.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the team arrived at the scene two minutes later, at 12:12 a.m., and commenced search and rescue operations after discovering that workers might be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

He revealed that responders heard groaning sounds from beneath the debris, indicating that some victims could still be alive.

The agency subsequently deployed an excavator to facilitate rescue efforts while ensuring the safety of both the victims and emergency personnel.

According to him, three adult males had been rescued alive as of 3:33 a.m., while the body of another adult male had been recovered from the wreckage.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the rescued victims received immediate pre-hospital medical attention from LASEMA paramedics and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) before being transferred to a hospital for further treatment.

He added that search and rescue operations remained ongoing to establish whether more people were trapped beneath the debris.

The operation was being coordinated by LASEMA’s Director of Operations, Engineer Akinsanya, and the Head of Cappa Base, Engineer Salami, who were at the scene to supervise the response.

Other agencies involved in the operation included the LASEMA Response Team, LRU paramedics, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASAMBUS and officers of the Nigeria Police Force from Alagbon Division.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the cause of the collapse had yet to be determined, adding that the incident would be investigated by the relevant regulatory authorities.

He conveyed the Lagos State Government’s condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the survivors a speedy recovery.

The Permanent Secretary reiterated the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to enforcing building safety standards, stressing that the government maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards substandard construction.

He said the government would continue to strengthen monitoring and enforcement in collaboration with the Lagos State Building Control Agency to prevent future building collapse incidents.

Nigeria’s push to establish state police has recorded a major breakthrough, with 25 State Houses of Assembly now reported to have backed the proposed constitutional amendment, surpassing the numerical two-thirds threshold required for constitutional alteration.

The development represents a significant milestone in the country’s decades-long debate over decentralising policing, as lawmakers across the federation throw their weight behind the establishment of state-controlled police services.

A compilation of publicly reported legislative approvals as of Friday, October 23, indicates that 25 of Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies have endorsed the proposal, one above the minimum of 24 required under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

The latest count follows the approval of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, by the Gombe State House of Assembly on Thursday.

Gombe lawmakers unanimously supported the amendment after considering the report of a seven-member ad hoc committee established to examine the proposed legislation.

The Speaker, Muhammad Abubakar Luggerewo, said the House endorsed the framework to strengthen security and establish a policing arrangement capable of addressing local security challenges.

The Deputy Speaker, Sadam Bello Sale, who chaired the committee, explained that the proposed legislation contained 26 clauses and had been subjected to legislative scrutiny before its adoption.

Gombe’s approval is particularly significant because an earlier nationwide compilation listed 24 states supporting the amendment but did not include the North-East state.

With Gombe’s separately confirmed resolution, the reported number of approving assemblies rises to 25.

Abia State also approved the proposed amendment on Thursday, following deliberations by members of its House of Assembly.

The Deputy Speaker, Austin Nmeregini, confirmed that lawmakers voted unanimously in favour of establishing state police.

According to him, decentralising policing would allow states to respond more effectively to their peculiar security challenges.

The latest legislative endorsements mean that the states reported to have backed the proposal are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and Abia.

The states still without a publicly confirmed approval in the compiled tally are Bauchi, Borno, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Ondo and Sokoto.

Several of these states have already commenced legislative consideration of the bill.

In Kaduna, lawmakers unanimously endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment during Thursday’s sitting.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Henry Marah, said establishing state police would strengthen community security, improve the protection of lives and property and create employment opportunities.

He argued that state governments needed greater authority over policing to respond adequately to security threats affecting their communities.

Similarly, the Yobe State House of Assembly adopted a resolution supporting state police.

The Speaker, Chiroma Buba Mashio, said the proposal formed part of wider security reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s response to emerging threats.

Other states, including Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Imo, also endorsed the proposal during the latest round of legislative deliberations.

The approvals follow the National Assembly’s transmission of the Sixth Alteration Bill to the 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026.

The bill seeks to amend the Constitution to establish a dual policing structure comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services.

Under the proposed arrangement, states would be empowered to establish police organisations to address security challenges within their territories, while the Federal Police Service would continue to perform its constitutionally assigned responsibilities.

The legislation is intended to improve community-level intelligence gathering, accelerate responses to emergencies and strengthen cooperation between federal and state security agencies.

However, the proposed decentralisation has also raised concerns about the possibility of political interference, inadequate funding and the misuse of state police by governors against opponents.

Lawmakers supporting the reform have emphasised the need for safeguards covering accountability, operational independence, human rights and professional standards.

Despite the reported 25-state backing, the constitutional amendment has not yet completed the legislative process.

The National Assembly must still reconcile and formally account for the resolutions returned by the state legislatures.

This is particularly important because some approvals were accompanied by observations or modifications.

In Adamawa, lawmakers adopted 24 of the amendment’s 26 clauses, rejecting two provisions.

Ekiti also approved the bill but transmitted observations concerning aspects of the proposed framework.

The effect of such qualifications on the final constitutional concurrence count will need to be determined during the remaining legislative process.

The National Assembly has not yet publicly certified a final tally of 25 valid concurrences.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has intensified preparations for the implementation of state policing.

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, chaired by the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced on October 20 that it had completed the drafting of the National Policing Bill, 2026, alongside 29 consequential amendment bills.

The documents were submitted to the Federal Ministry of Justice on October 19 for legislative drafting review and validation.

According to the Presidency, the ministry is expected to return the reviewed bills by October 30, after which the working group will consider them before presenting the proposals to Tinubu.

The National Policing Bill is expected to provide detailed provisions on the administration, standards and operations of the proposed federal and state police services.

Even after the constitutional amendment is concluded, individual states will still need to enact laws establishing their respective police services and satisfy the prescribed national requirements before commencing operations.

For now, the reported support of 25 legislatures places the state police proposal beyond the numerical two-thirds benchmark, bringing Nigeria closer to a fundamental restructuring of its policing system.

The next decisive development will be the National Assembly’s formal confirmation of the state resolutions and completion of the remaining constitutional procedures.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to produce financial records explaining the whereabouts of the ?10 billion approved by President Bola Tinubu for Ebola emergency preparedness, dismissing the ruling party’s claim that the money remains untouched.

Atiku’s camp insisted that the APC’s admission raised fresh questions about whether the funds were ever released as directed by the President in June.

In a statement issued on Friday, October 23, Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, accused the APC of avoiding accountability while attacking Atiku over his criticism of Tinubu’s handling of the Ebola emergency.

The response followed Thursday’s statement by APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson Dele Alake, who accused Atiku of politicising public health issues and disrespecting the President by linking his first name to Ebola.

Alake had defended the government’s handling of the emergency, disclosing that the ?10 billion approved by Tinubu in June remained untouched because relevant agencies were using other available resources.

However, Atiku’s camp argued that the explanation had created more questions than answers.

‘Was the money released or was it not?’ Shaibu asked.

‘If it was released, where is it held, who controls it, and why has it not been used for the preparedness President Tinubu announced?’

He further questioned why the Presidency announced an immediate release of the funds if the money had not actually been disbursed.

The statement demanded the publication of release documents, account records and expenditure reports relating to the Presidential Task Force on Ebola.

Shaibu insisted that attacking Atiku would not resolve the questions surrounding the emergency allocation.

‘Insulting Atiku Abubakar will not account for one naira,’ he declared.

The controversy began after Atiku questioned the Federal Government’s preparedness following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in Abuja.

In his initial statement, the former vice-president demanded an account of the ?10 billion and questioned how the patient entered Nigeria without the infection being detected immediately.

The APC subsequently responded, accusing him of exploiting a serious public health concern to ridicule the President.

Alake particularly objected to Atiku’s use of the phrase ‘Bola-Ebola’, which the ruling party described as disrespectful.

But Shaibu dismissed the criticism on Friday, accusing the APC of focusing on wordplay instead of explaining the money.

‘The APC only found a rhyme,’ the statement declared.

Shaibu further alleged that Tinubu’s economic policies had caused severe hardship for Nigerians, arguing that the ruling party should address public concerns rather than engage in exchanges over the similarity between the words ‘Bola’ and ‘Ebola’.

The ADC campaign spokesman also revisited questions surrounding the detection of Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola case.

He cited information released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which indicated that the female patient developed symptoms on October 7, sought medical attention at a private health facility on October 11 and received laboratory confirmation on October 20.

Shaibu questioned when the infection was first suspected, when public health officials were notified and when contact tracing commenced.

He also challenged the APC’s claim that Nigeria’s surveillance network had alerted authorities to the infection.

According to him, the government should disclose the specific agency responsible for raising the alert, the date it was issued and the actions taken afterwards.

The statement further noted that the 44 identified contacts were individuals whose health needed protection, rather than evidence to be used in political arguments.

Atiku’s camp also renewed its call for transparency concerning any public health restrictions that could affect political campaigns or voting ahead of the 2027 elections.

It maintained that any proposed restrictions should be publicly disclosed alongside their medical justification.

The APC had earlier rejected suggestions that the Ebola emergency was being used to discourage political participation, describing the allegation as speculative.

Meanwhile, the Presidency’s announcement of June 9 confirms that Tinubu approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola and ordered the immediate release of ?10 billion for emergency preparedness.

The fund was intended to strengthen the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and support critical public health response activities.

The Nigerian Senate has called for urgent security measures in Benue State following reports that 113 people were killed in four separate attacks on communities, including six Mobile Police officers.

The call followed a motion raised by Senator Emmanuel Udende, representing Benue North-East, who expressed concern over the killings in Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas.

According to the report presented to the Senate, 24 people were killed in Sai community in Katsina-Ala, while 63 others reportedly died in attacks on Bom and Aboajio villages in Ukum. Another 15 people, including six Mobile Police officers, were reportedly killed in Ayilamo, Logo. Eleven additional deaths were reported in attacks on Tse Biliji and Tse Shishi Nyako villages in Ukum on October 8.

The Senate urged the Federal Government, police and military authorities to strengthen security operations, improve intelligence gathering and establish effective early-warning and rapid-response systems to prevent further attacks.

The lawmakers also called for thorough investigations into the killings and the prosecution of those responsible.

In response to the humanitarian impact, the Senate urged the National Emergency Management Agency and the Benue State Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials and assistance to affected residents who had lost their homes and livelihoods.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Security and Intelligence to engage relevant agencies on measures to improve security deployment and protect vulnerable communities.

The Gombe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Samson Kaura, has confirmed the death of seven persons in a multiple crash along the Gombe-Billiri Road in the state.

Kaura confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Friday.

He said the crash, which involved eight vehicles, occurred at about 5.30 p.m. on Thursday at Tashan Magariya Junction, Kumo, in Akko Local Government Area.

According to him, 25 persons, comprising 14 male adults, three female adults and eight children, were involved in the crash.

He said 11 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries, including compound fractures, lacerations and bruises.

Kaura stated that all those involved in the crash were taken to public hospitals in Kumo for medical examination and treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited in hospital mortuaries.

He said a DAF trailer travelling from Gombe to Yola lost control due to brake failure, ran into two Volkswagen Golf cars and subsequently crashed into five motorcycles, killing seven persons and injuring 11 others.

Kaura advised motorists to inspect their vehicles before embarking on journeys and observe recommended speed limits.

‘I would advise motorists to observe speed limits, especially in built-up areas and along busy roads. Driving at a reduced speed can help minimise the severity of injuries and the extent of damage when a road crash occurs.’

He urged the authorities and other stakeholders to consider relocating markets situated along highways or fencing them off to prevent traders and pedestrians from moving directly onto the roads.

He also called for the provision of safe pedestrian crossings, including footbridges, and urged people to use them when crossing highways.

‘Furthermore, motorcycle operators should avoid parking along the roadside, particularly on market days, such as the Kumo Market Day, when traffic and pedestrian activities increase.’

According to him, motorcycle operators should be provided with designated parking areas within motor parks or other safe locations away from highways.

‘As we witnessed on Thursday, parking motorcycles along the roadside is extremely dangerous and exposes operators and other road users to serious risks.

‘I therefore urge motorists, motorcycle operators, market traders, pedestrians and the relevant authorities to take these safety measures seriously to prevent further accidents and protect lives,’ he advised.

Yusuf spoke on Thursday, during the formal inauguration of Kano State Presidential/Gubernatorial Campaign Council held at Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.

He said the APC campaign team believes in issue-based campaign, devoid of rancour, hate-speech, name-calling and back-biting.

Yusuf further urged the campaign team to eschew violence and focus on reminding the electorates of the good works President Tinubu and his administration have done for the development of Kano and the welfare of Kano people, promising that the APC government is ready to do even more if allowed to continue beyond 2027.

The Governor emphasized that victory for the APC at all levels is sure, insisting that securing victory for the party remains a collective responsibility as every party member and supporter has a role to play.

He urged party faithful to intensify grassroots mobilisation, strengthen collective efforts and work in unison to secure victory for the APC at all levels.

Governor Yusuf further insisted that the party will focus on issues, achievements and plans rather than personal attacks in its campaign ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to him, the party would explain its achievements to voters, present its plans for the future and listen to the needs of the people.

‘We are going to campaign based on what the APC leaders have done, not campaign full of insults,’ he added.

He further stated that members of the campaign council were selected based on their capacity to carry out the responsibilities assigned to them, urging them to work hard to ensure that the APC secured more votes in Kano than in any other state during the 2027 elections.

‘Kano should garner a lot of votes for President Tinubu. The number of votes the APC gets in Kano should be the highest in the country. This is possible if you go out and campaign as required.

‘The members of this council are APC soldiers, and I urge you to carry out your responsibilities with commitment and work towards the party’s victory,’ he added.

Governor Yusuf urged members of the campaign council to remain resilient and avoid intimidation from the opposition, or allow fear to affect their campaign activities, insisting that the APC has rooted itself in Kano state.

He, however, appealed to party members and supporters whose names were not included in the initial campaign council list not to feel disappointed, explaining that additional lists and subcommittees would be announced.

He called on party members to remain committed and work together to mobilise support for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

Among the key appointments are Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo who was named Director-General of the campaign council, while Hon. Bala Muhammad Gwagwarwa will serve as First Deputy Director-General.

Dr. Yunusa Adamu Dangwani was appointed Deputy Director-General for Kano South, while Dr. Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda and Senator Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura will serve as Deputy Directors-General for Kano North and Kano Central, respectively.

Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure was also named Assistant Director-General for Women Affairs, while Hon. Garba Yusuf Abubakar will serve as Assistant Director-General for Operations, among other appointments.

Stakeholders present at the event included the Deputy Senate President, Dr. Barau I. Jibrin; Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo; Senator Abdulraman Kawu Sumaila, Senator Ibrahim Kabiru Gaya, among others.

The Federal Government has reported signs of recovery in Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola patient, while assuring the public that there is currently no evidence of community transmission of the virus.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare disclosed this in an update issued on Friday, as health authorities continued contact tracing, quarantine and monitoring to contain the infection.

The ministry said national coordination, preparedness in health facilities and other public health measures had been strengthened as part of efforts to prevent further transmission.

Nigeria confirmed the Ebola case on October 20 following laboratory tests on a woman who had recently travelled from Uganda and received treatment at a private hospital in Abuja.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the patient’s infection was identified as Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease. Her symptoms began on October 7, four days after her arrival in Nigeria, and she sought medical attention at a private health facility on October 11.

The confirmation prompted the activation of emergency public health measures, including the identification and monitoring of people who might have been exposed to the patient.

The Federal Ministry of Health previously reported that 44 close contacts had been identified following confirmation of the infection.

The contacts include people who may have encountered the patient or been exposed during her treatment. Health officials are monitoring those identified as part of efforts to detect possible secondary infections and limit further transmission.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated its incident management system to coordinate the response, while the WHO is supporting Nigerian authorities with case investigation, contact tracing and infection prevention measures.

Health facilities have also been urged to strengthen infection prevention and control, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, and report them to public health authorities.

The latest update did not provide a revised number of contacts or disclose whether any additional infections had been confirmed.

The circumstances surrounding the patient’s infection remain under investigation, including her travel history and possible exposure before she became ill.

Reports by international and Nigerian media have identified the patient as a Ugandan-born woman married to a Swiss diplomat based in Abuja.

Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said she was believed to have contracted the virus during a visit to Uganda.

However, accounts of her movements before arriving in Nigeria have differed. Ugandan authorities suggested she had travelled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the current outbreak began, but the WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said they had not received verified information confirming that journey.

Health authorities are working to reconstruct her movements and establish the likely source of infection.

The patient’s husband, who reportedly travelled with her, was placed in isolation, according to reports citing Swiss authorities. He had not developed symptoms at the time of those reports.

Nigeria’s case comes amid a wider outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease, which was declared in the DRC in May 2026. The outbreak has also affected other African countries, including Kenya.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported on October 22 that Kenya had recorded nine cases, including one death, as authorities continued investigating transmission and monitoring contacts.

The Bundibugyo virus belongs to the group of viruses that cause Ebola disease. According to public health authorities, the infection can spread through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, or through contaminated materials.

There is currently no licensed vaccine specifically approved for the Bundibugyo strain, making early detection, isolation, contact tracing and infection prevention central to controlling its spread.

The Federal Ministry of Health has urged Nigerians to follow recommended precautions, obtain information from recognised health authorities and avoid circulating unverified reports about the case.