The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a warning to Nigerians about the circulation of counterfeit Phesgo cancer treatment drugs.

The alert follows a report from a doctor at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), who raised concerns about the authenticity of a batch of the drug.

NAFDAC informed healthcare providers of the suspected counterfeit Phesgo 600mg/600mg, labeled with batch number C5290S20.

The marketing authorization holder, Roche, was also notified of the issue after the doctor reported the drug but did not return any physical samples for investigation.

Instead, images of parts of the product, including a vial and a 10ml folding box, were shared with Roche for comparison.

NAFDAC emphasized that the counterfeit batch resembles a previously reported fraudulent batch, C3809C51, which could pose serious risks to patients.

The agency urged healthcare professionals and the public to remain vigilant and avoid administering or purchasing the affected drug until further investigation is complete.

The Acting Chairman of the Katsina State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Surajo Rufa’i, has been killed in an attack by suspected bandits in Mai-Rana village, Kusada Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The deadly assault occurred late on Saturday night at 11:30 p.m. at Rufa’i’s residence.

Sources report that two other individuals were also killed during the attack, while several others sustained injuries.

The attackers also kidnapped Rufa’i’s two wives and his daughter, an undergraduate student. However, Rufa’i’s first wife was later released by the assailants.

The police confirmed the incident, with spokesperson Abubakar Sadiq noting that the bandits were tracked to Kofa village, where a gunfight ensued.

The bandits, outgunned by police forces, fled the scene, but two more individuals were fatally shot during their escape.

The remains of Rufa’i and the other victims were buried on Sunday morning in accordance with Islamic rites. Efforts to arrest the fleeing assailants are ongoing.

Rufa’i had recently taken over as the acting chairman of MACBAN’s Katsina chapter following the mysterious disappearance of Mannir Atiku Lamido, the previous chairman and national vice president of the association.

Lamido vanished without a trace in June 2024 while traveling to Kaduna, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

A gas explosion in the Big Tree area of Orazi, Port Harcourt, on Sunday afternoon has left over 20 people, including children, severely burned.

Many of the victims are currently receiving urgent medical treatment at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

Eyewitnesses reported a sudden blast in the area, which was quickly followed by a fire. Firefighters responded to the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze, but not before numerous individuals were injured.

The cause of the explosion is yet to be confirmed, though an anonymous relative of some victims revealed that the gas retailer at the site had been conducting welding activities, which may have contributed to the blast.

One relative shared their distress, explaining that their in-law and her family were among those affected by the explosion.

“I received the news of the incident with shock, as my family members were just passing by when the explosion occurred. The gas shop owner had been welding without following proper safety protocols, which led to this disaster,” the relative lamented.

Though several victims were severely burned, none have been reported dead at the time of writing.

The explosion also primarily affected passersby in the area. All injured persons were quickly taken to the hospital for emergency care.

In another incident, a tragic auto crash on Friday night in the Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt claimed two lives.

Three victims were rushed to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, where two were confirmed dead, and one woman is currently in critical condition in the ICU.

The accident occurred when the car collided with a stationary truck late at night.

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, announced the cessation of the illegal sit-at-home orders in the Southeast, stating that the people of Enugu no longer comply with directives from non-state actors.

Governor Mbah made the declaration during President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to Enugu on Saturday.

He highlighted the efforts of his administration in ensuring security and restoring normalcy, emphasizing that the days of observing the sit-at-home order, enforced by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in solidarity with their detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, were over in Enugu.

The governor expressed his vision for a prosperous Enugu, stressing that it could only be achieved with guaranteed security, access to quality education, and affordable healthcare for all citizens.

He also acknowledged the President’s bold economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange rate, which have opened up opportunities for completing both physical and social infrastructure projects across the state.

“We no longer observe sit-at-home in Enugu. Our people go to work every day of the week, and we no longer take orders from non-state actors,” Mbah affirmed.

A deadly fuel tanker explosion occurred on Sunday afternoon in Agbor, Delta State, claiming the lives of at least four people and causing extensive damage to nearby structures, including First Bank and Access Bank.

The explosion took place along the old Lagos-Asaba Road when a petrol-laden tanker lost control, igniting a massive fire.

While the state government confirmed four fatalities, an eyewitness reported that five people were killed, and the police confirmed two deaths.

The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the tanker and several nearby buildings.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as people fled in all directions to escape the flames, with viral videos capturing residents scrambling for safety.

In the aftermath, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori expressed his sorrow over the tragic incident, confirming that three others were injured.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, the governor extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

“This tragic incident is deeply saddening. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones at this difficult time,” the governor said.

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested a bride for allegedly poisoning food served at her wedding reception in the Jahun Local Government Area, resulting in the death of one guest and the hospitalization of others.

The incident occurred when the groom fell critically ill, and one guest tragically lost their life after consuming the poisoned food.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Shi’isu Adam, confirmed that the bride and her friend, both suspects in the case, have been taken into custody. Their identities have not been disclosed.

Adam stated that both suspects are currently under interrogation by the Criminal Investigation Department, and efforts will be made to ensure justice is served.

He added that the wedding guests who consumed the poisoned food have been discharged from the hospital, except for the deceased.

The investigation into the matter continues.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully apprehended Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye, widely known as ‘Iya Ruka,’ a 61-year-old notorious drug queen and Lagos socialite.

The arrest occurred on Wednesday, January 1, at her residence in the Okota area of Lagos after her employee, 41-year-old Abideen Adio, was intercepted while transporting a truckload of illicit drugs.

According to an NDLEA statement from spokesman Femi Babafemi, the truck, which was loaded with 1,540 kilograms of imported cannabis concealed in 44 jumbo sacks, was intercepted on the same day.

Iya Ruka, a known fabric and shoe importer, had long been on the run for allegedly leading a drug cartel operating out of Mushin, Lagos.

In a separate operation, NDLEA officers in Kwara State arrested 24-year-old Khadijat Abdulraheem and 20-year-old Ayomide Morakinyo, both of whom were found to be producing and distributing drug-laced cupcakes.

Forty-two of these cupcakes were seized from their apartment near the University of Ilorin.

Additionally, the NDLEA’s MMIA Strategic Command rearrested ex-convict Sodade Sunday Eniola, involved in passport racketeering.

Eniola, previously convicted for drug trafficking in June 2024, was caught in a syndicate attempting to smuggle 52 passports hidden in shipments bound for Canada, Russia, and other countries.

Further operations also led to significant drug seizures, including 316,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex and 149,090 pills of tramadol and exol-5 from a local dealer in Kano.

NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised the agency’s nationwide efforts, highlighting the balanced approach in tackling both the supply and demand of drugs through ongoing sensitization campaigns in communities and institutions.