Ebola: Ogun Tracks 111 Travellers as FAAN Tightens Airport Surveillance

The Ogun State Government has stepped up surveillance and emergency preparedness, while the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has intensified health monitoring across airport operations following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in the Federal Capital Territory.

Ogun said it had identified and monitored 111 persons of interest linked to travel from high-risk countries, while assuring residents that no Ebola case had been recorded in the state as of October 21, 2026.

The parallel measures by the state government and FAAN underscore growing efforts to strengthen surveillance, improve early detection and prevent the spread of the potentially deadly disease following the reported case in Abuja.

Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, disclosed the state’s response in a statement on Wednesday, saying the government had been on heightened alert since Ebola was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in March 2026.

According to her, the 111 persons identified for monitoring had completed the required surveillance period and were subsequently discharged from follow-up.

Coker said the state’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre was coordinating preparedness and response activities to ensure the prompt identification, reporting and management of suspected cases.

She added that the government had strengthened the capacity of Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers, port health officers, health educators, clinicians and community informants through training on appropriate response procedures.

Relevant national guidelines and protocols had also been adapted and deployed, while public sensitisation and infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities were being intensified.

The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant, observe preventive measures and avoid panic or spreading unverified information.

She explained that Ebola is a serious viral disease capable of causing severe illness and death, with early symptoms that may resemble those of other common illnesses.

The symptoms include fever, severe weakness, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Unexplained bleeding or bruising may also occur in some cases.

According to Coker, symptoms can develop between two and 21 days after exposure. However, she cautioned that experiencing these symptoms does not automatically mean a person has Ebola, stressing the importance of prompt professional medical assessment, particularly where there has been possible exposure or travel to a high-risk area.

She said the virus spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, the body of someone who has died from the disease, or materials contaminated with such fluids.

Meanwhile, FAAN said it had heightened health surveillance across airport operations in response to the confirmed case in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, the authority said it was working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Port Health Services, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant agencies to support ongoing containment efforts.

FAAN noted that the early identification of the case and the commencement of contact tracing highlighted the importance of effective surveillance, established public health protocols and inter-agency collaboration in responding to potential health threats.

The authority said it would maintain heightened vigilance across airport operations and continue to coordinate with public health authorities to implement additional guidance and measures considered necessary to protect passengers, airport personnel and the wider public.

It also urged passengers, airport users, airlines and other stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with health officials.

Both the Ogun government and FAAN advised the public to rely on verified information from official health authorities and avoid circulating unconfirmed reports.

The developments highlight the importance of coordinated surveillance, timely reporting and public cooperation in containing potential outbreaks, particularly at points of entry and in communities with links to international travel.

Atiku: US Lobbying Firm Raises Alarm Over Alleged Assassination Plot

A United States-based lobbying and policy advisory firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has reportedly expressed concern over allegations of a possible threat to the life of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, according to reports attributed to the firm.

The allegation, which has emerged amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, was reportedly raised by Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who has called on US President Donald Trump and other international leaders to pay attention to concerns over Atiku’s safety.

Frank has alleged that the former vice-president could face threats to his life and political freedom. However, the claim remains an allegation and has not been independently substantiated by publicly available evidence.

According to the reports, Von Batten-Montague-York, a lobbying firm reportedly engaged by Atiku for government affairs and strategic advisory services in the United States, intends to bring the concerns to the attention of US officials, including members of Congress and the Trump administration.

The reported move does not, in itself, establish that an assassination plot exists or that US authorities have confirmed the allegations. No independently verified evidence presented in the reports establishes that President Bola Tinubu or his administration is involved in any plan to harm Atiku.

The APC Presidential Campaign Council has rejected the allegation, insisting that Tinubu and the council have no involvement in any plot to assassinate Atiku or any other opposition figure.

The council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, reportedly challenged Frank to provide evidence to support his claims, maintaining that such a serious allegation should not be treated as established fact without credible proof.

The council also called for any information concerning a genuine threat to be brought before the appropriate security agencies for investigation. It reportedly disputed claims that security personnel attached to Atiku had been withdrawn and maintained that the former vice-president remained under the protection of the relevant authorities.

According to statements attributed to the council, Tinubu had directed security agencies to strengthen protection for political candidates ahead of the 2027 elections. These assurances, however, do not independently resolve the specific allegations raised by Frank.

Frank’s appeal has renewed debate over the security of opposition politicians as preparations for the next general election gather momentum. He has urged international leaders and institutions to engage with the Nigerian government and seek assurances regarding the safety of opposition figures.

The lobbying firm’s reported intention to raise the matter with US officials has also drawn attention to the possibility of international scrutiny of concerns about political security in Nigeria. However, there is no independently confirmed information establishing that US authorities have opened a formal investigation into the alleged plot.

The claims and counterclaims have yet to establish that an assassination plot exists or identify any verified perpetrators. Any credible evidence of a threat to Atiku’s life would need to be assessed by the appropriate security agencies, while allegations of responsibility should be supported by verifiable evidence.

Atiku, a former vice-president and prominent opposition politician, remains a significant figure in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. The controversy highlights the need for transparent investigation of credible security threats and careful distinction between allegations, official responses and independently established facts.

Atiku: US Lobbying Firm Raises Alarm Over Alleged Assassination Plot

‘We Don’t Know What Else to Do’ — Mother Begs for Release of Abducted Children

A distraught mother in Kaduna State, Dominic Tina, has appealed to Nigerians and security agencies to help secure the release of her two children, who were reportedly abducted in Rimi Kamazou about seven weeks ago.

Tina made the emotional appeal in a social media post, saying her family desperately needed assistance to secure the children’s safe return.

According to a report published by Linda Ikeji’s Blog on October 19, 2026, the mother shared photographs of her children, including an image she said was sent to the family by their abductors.

The photograph reportedly raised fresh concerns about the children’s situation as their family continued to seek help to bring them home.

In her appeal, Tina expressed frustration over the prolonged ordeal, saying her family no longer knew what else to do.

She wrote: “My family don’t know what to do again, please help me reshare. We desperately need assistance.”

The children’s abduction has left their mother and other family members in distress, with the appeal aimed at attracting public attention and possible assistance from relevant authorities.

However, details surrounding the abduction, including the identities of the suspected kidnappers, their possible demands and the latest condition of the children, could not be independently verified from the information available.

It was also unclear whether security agencies had made any breakthrough in efforts to secure the children’s release.

The case underscores the anguish experienced by families whose loved ones remain in captivity for extended periods and the urgent need for coordinated efforts to locate abducted persons.

Tina’s appeal has called attention to her family’s desperate search for a resolution, as hopes remain that the children will be reunited with their loved ones.

The relevant security authorities are urged to investigate the reported abduction and take appropriate steps to facilitate the children’s safe return.

EDITORIAL NOTE: Newstrends.ng could not independently verify the latest status of the case before publication. Further confirmation should be sought from the family or the Kaduna State Police Command.

‘We Don’t Know What Else to Do’ — Mother Begs for Release of Abducted Children