NAFDAC seizes ₦300m worth of counterfeit drugs in Lagos

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered counterfeit medicines worth ₦300m during a raid at Tyre Village within the Trade Fair Complex, Lagos State.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, NAFDAC revealed that the operation led to the confiscation of fake pharmaceuticals, including Amoxicillin 500 mg, Ampicloxa capsules 500 mg, and packaging materials for Augmentin capsules 625 mg.

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“These counterfeit medicines pose serious health risks, such as treatment failure, organ damage, and potential carcinogenic effects due to their unknown compositions,” the statement warned.

The facility has been sealed, and a suspect linked to the illegal operation has been invited for questioning as investigations continue.

NAFDAC seizes ₦300m worth of counterfeit drugs in Lagos

Apologise publicly to Endbadgovernance protesters, Amnesty Int’l tells FG

Amnesty International wants the federal government to publicly apologise to all protesters who were killed, injured or traumatised by security agents during the August 1–10 #EndBadGovernance protests.

A briefing published by the global organisation focused on human rights on Thursday stated that at least 24 protesters were killed and 1,200 were arrested during the nationwide August protest.

The 24 recorded killings occurred in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Niger, Borno and Kaduna states. 12 people were killed in Kano, three in Jigawa, one in Katsina, three in Niger, three in Borno and two in Kaduna.

The briefing also revealed that the deceased were aged between 5 and 63.

“In all cases, the victims were shot by the police, firing live ammunition at close range often at the head or torso, suggesting that officers were shooting to kill. Two survivors suffered injuries after being shot by police in the arm and legs, others were suffocated by the indiscriminate use of tear gas,” Amnesty International stated.

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According to the organisation, the killing and arrest of protesters by the Nigerian authorities as well as the brutality meted out to them reflect the failure to respect and facilitate the right to freedom of expression.

Amnesty International also asked the government to “drop all charges against protesters solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and unconditionally release those facing such charges”.

Some of the other demands to the government include granting detainees access to lawyers of their choice, families and independent medical care; the immediate release of those detained solely for peacefully exercising their human rights during the hunger protests; ensuring that detainees are tried under international standards for fair trials; and developing more robust engagement between the youths and the government.

Provide specific training for law enforcement officials on crowd facilitation during protests

In its recommendations to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Amnesty International called for the training of officers on crowd facilitation and management during protests and international human rights standards.

The group also recommended the implementation of ammunition registration, control system and communications records system to monitor operational orders; promotion of visible markings to identify officers who participate in public law enforcement operations; promotion of opportunities for dialogue with protest organisers and the establishment of administrative sanctions for law enforcement personnel involved in abuses or acts of violence.

Apologise publicly to Endbadgovernance protesters, Amnesty Int’l tells FG

Amnesty International releases EndBadGovernance report, says 24 killed during protests

Amnesty International says no fewer than 24 protesters were killed during the EndBadGovernance protests which occurred between August 1 and August 10,2024.

The figures were disclosed by the organization while launching its report on the protests at a press conference addressed by its Country Director,Isa Sanusi,in Kano on Thursday.

Sanusi said the killings took place in Kano,Borno, Kaduna,Katsina,Jigawa and Niger States, while the protests lasted.

Those killed during the uprising,he said,included 20 young people,an elderly person and two children, alleging that the police used excessive force against the protesters.

“In all cases, the victims were shot by the police, firing live ammunition at close range,often at the head or torso, suggesting that officers were shooting to kill.

“Two survivors suffered injuries after being shot by the police in the arm and legs,others were suffocated by the indiscriminate use of tear gas,” the country director further alleged.

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He said Eyewitnesses told Amnesty International in Kano,Dutse, Katsina and Minna that the protests were largely peaceful when they began in the morning of August 1, but that the mood abruptly changed when police allegedly attacked the protesters by firing live ammunition and tear gas.

“The excessive use of force by the police against the protesters contravenes International Human Rights Standards, including the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.

“Those who expressed support for the protests on social media were attacked and many more were arbitrarily arrested either by the police or the Department of State Services (DSS),” the organization alleged.

It said despite the overwhelming evidences, including eyewitness accounts, videos, medical records,testimonies of the parents of victims and survivors and photographs, the police denied involvement in the killings, dismissing them as “fake news” and attributed them to “unknown gunmen.”

“As international human rights standards make it clear in the dispersal of assemblies that are unlawful but non-violent,law enforcement officials shall avoid the use of force or, where that it is not practicable,shall restrict such force to the minimum extent necessary,”it added.

Amnesty International releases EndBadGovernance report, says 24 killed during protests