metro
Omicron: Canada lifts ban on travel from Nigeria, says ‘measure has served its purpose’
The Canadian government has lifted the ban imposed on travel from 10 African countries — including Nigeria.
Jean-Yves Duclos, minister of health in Canada, announced the decision at a media briefing on Friday.
The development comes almost three weeks after the Canadian government banned 10 African countries — including Nigeria — over concerns relating to the Omicron COVID variant.
Omicron has been designated as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Aside from Nigeria, other countries affected by the Canada travel ban are Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
In a statement issued on November 30, the Canadian government had said the decision to ban the countries was to “reduce the risk of the importation and transmission of COVID-19 and its variants in Canada related to international travel”.
READ ALSO:
- As road, security situations worsen, domestic airlines gain more passengers
- Lagos indebted to retirees by over N30b, says pensioners’ chair
- Police killed my only remaining son, threatened to shoot me, too – Agony of a visually impaired woman
The ban had, however, elicited criticism with stakeholders insisting that other measures aside from locking out countries should be considered in the interest of maintaining a united front in the global fight against the COVID pandemic.
Speaking on the reversal of the ban on Friday, the Canadian health minister said the new development will take effect from December 18.
“With the evolving situation and overwhelming evidence of community transmission of Omicron in most countries around the world, we have taken the decision to lift the specific measures for travellers returning from the 10 countries initially listed,” he said.
“This will be in effect as of December 18, 11:59pm.
“While we recognise the controversial nature of such a prohibition, we believe it was a necessary measure to slow the arrival of Omicron in Canada and buy us some time.
“Given the current situation, this measure has served its purpose and is no longer needed.”
The Cable
metro
Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars
Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars
Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a fake Inspector who engages in armed robbery and car snatching, among other crimes.
This was disclosed by the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Olatunji Dosu while parading the suspect among other suspected criminals on Wednesday.
According to the Dosu, Monday Igbali, the fake inspector, was a former sergeant who was dismissed after being charged in a kidnapping case in 2021.
He noted that three fancy cars were recovered from Igbali, who runs a gang of five criminals.
Dosu states, “The command commenced an investigation in response to a report filed on August 11, 2023, by one Fibika Kingsley that his Lexus EX330 had been stolen at gunpoint along Agip Road by five gunmen.’’
READ ALSO:
- Binance Executive drags NSA, EFCC to court, demands public apology
- 6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP
- FG shuts KFC outlet that ‘humiliated’ Gbenga Daniel’s wheelchair-bound son
“The investigations led to the arrest of one Monday Igbali, aged 43, a native of Okwuzi in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State.
“He is a former police sergeant who was dismissed after being indicted in a kidnapping case in 2021.
“Since his dismissal, he has continued to parade himself as a police officer, even claiming to be an Inspector of Police, a rank he did not attain before his dismissal.
“He works with a gang of five, with four gang members still at large.
“He has robbed a total of nine cars and sold them for between N1.3m and N2.5m each. He was arrested on March 8, 2024, at his home in Chokocho, Etche, after the police conducted due surveillance following investigations.
“We have recovered three cars from him: a Lexus 330, a Lexus IS250, and a Toyota Highlander.”
Police nab fake inspector, recover stolen cars
metro
Breaking: Military releases FirstNews editor, Segun Olatunji
Breaking: Military releases FirstNews editor, Segun Olatunji
The military has finally released Segun Olatunji, editor of FirstNews, who has been in their custody since March 15.
Olatunji was released on Thursday to Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) General Secretary Iyobosa Uwugiaren and The Nation Deputy Editor Yomi Odunuga under a bridge in Asokoro, Abuja.
It was also learnt that the documents for his release were signed inside a security vehicle with heavily armed operatives.
The security agents were said to be masked and the number plates of their vehicles covered up.
The editor was abducted by armed men in his home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos, on March 15.
His family members were kept in the dark on his whereabouts and why he was arrested.
Several groups, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors, almost daily mounted pressure on the government for Olatunji’s release.
On Wednesday, the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute said the journalist was in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
metro
BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists
BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists
A Federal High Court in Borno State has ordered the release of at least 313 suspected terrorists detained by the military.
The court ordered their release due to a lack of evidence to charge the suspects after the investigation.
Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, the Director of Defence Media Operations, announced this during the operational briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
READ ALSO:
- Drama as INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention
- Google blocks 5.5bn adverts, suspends 12.7m accounts
- How Mali army killed 13 civilians in drone strikes – Amnesty
He said, “The court ordered the release for want of evidence after the conclusion of investigation and other ancillary matters.
“Accordingly, they would be handed over to the Borno State Government for further action.”
BREAKING: Court orders military to release 313 suspected terrorists
-
metro6 days ago
DHQ declares Simon Ekpa, 96 other suspected terrorists wanted
-
Auto7 days ago
Toyota Nigeria presents nine schoolchildren for global dream car art contest + photos
-
metro6 days ago
3 students die in stampede as Nasarawa students loot state govt rice
-
News7 days ago
New minimum wage implementation begins April – NLC
-
News5 days ago
Supreme Council for Shari’ah expresses concern over threat to Nigeria’s participation in 2024 Hajj
-
News7 days ago
Thousands may miss Ramadan Umrah as S/Arabia fails to issue visas
-
Health7 days ago
Fresh diphtheria outbreak kills four in Kano
-
Business7 days ago
CBN’s ‘action’ yields result as Naira appreciates to N1,382 per dollar