The Enugu State Government says it has achieved about 50 per cent coverage in its ongoing measles–rubella vaccination campaign aimed at protecting children across the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, disclosed this on Monday, noting that more than one million children had already been reached within the first four days of the exercise, which began on February 4.

She explained that the campaign targets children between nine months and 14 years, a group considered capable of developing strong immunity against both measles and rubella.

According to her, the state plans to vaccinate over two million children and is on course to meet that target, as the exercise forms part of efforts to integrate the measles–rubella vaccine into routine immunisation programmes nationwide.

Ani-Osheku noted that the initiative is particularly important for Enugu due to the high incidence of measles in the state, adding that the combined vaccine provides protection against both diseases with a single injection.

She said the approach reduces the need for multiple shots and encourages acceptance among parents and caregivers.

Also speaking, the State Immunisation Officer, Chime Chinyere, said health authorities adopted a mix of fixed vaccination posts at health facilities and mobile outreach teams to expand coverage.

She explained that the mobile teams visit schools, churches, markets and other public places to reach children who may not have access to healthcare centres.

Chinyere attributed the growing participation to sustained advocacy, community engagement, and collaboration with stakeholders, including education officials and local media organisations.

While acknowledging challenges such as limited vaccination personnel and occasional resistance, she said continued engagement with community leaders and government officials had helped improve acceptance.

The measles–rubella vaccination campaign was introduced nationally in October 2025, with Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, describing it as one of the largest public health interventions on the continent.

Health authorities say measles remains one of the most contagious viral diseases affecting children globally, while rubella is a major cause of preventable birth defects, especially when infection occurs during pregnancy.

At least nine worshippers have been kidnapped by suspected bandits during a night vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ojije, Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area, Benue State.

The incident reportedly occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday while the church was observing a vigil as part of an ongoing 30-day spiritual programme.

Local sources said the attackers stormed the church and whisked away the victims, who included women and young people, causing panic within the community.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association, Jude Onwe, confirmed the development, noting that the worshippers were taken during the early hours of the vigil.

The Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, Sunday Oche, also verified the abduction and expressed concern that organisers of the vigil did not notify security agencies beforehand, despite repeated warnings.

He said security operatives had been mobilised to respond to the situation and urged residents to always involve law enforcement in night-time gatherings.

According to him, communities have been advised to inform the police whenever activities such as vigils, weddings, burials, or festivals extend beyond 9 pm., stressing that failure to do so exposes participants to danger.

Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, said tactical teams had been deployed to the area and efforts were ongoing to track down the perpetrators and rescue the abducted worshippers.

The abduction adds to growing security concerns in Benue State, which has witnessed a series of violent attacks in recent times, including the June 2025 Yelwata massacre that claimed about 200 lives and drew widespread condemnation.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a sales representative of Prince OJ Global Services Limited, along with a Point of Sale (POS) operator, over allegations of diverting company funds for personal use.

According to the EFCC, the sales representative, Ibekwe Izuchukwu Emmanuel, is accused of misappropriating ₦70,030,450 during the course of his duties, with part of the funds reportedly used to purchase a parcel of land in Enugu State.

The POS operator, Miracle Onyekachi Nnaji, allegedly provided his account details to facilitate the alleged diversion.

The anti-graft agency said the company discovered the irregularities in 2023 and petitioned the EFCC after millions of naira were found unaccounted for.

An external auditor engaged by the company reportedly uncovered that Emmanuel had redirected the funds for personal purposes.

During interrogation, Emmanuel admitted to using some of the diverted money for the land purchase and stated that he refunded approximately ₦15,000,000 in mid-2025 after the discrepancies were identified.

The EFCC confirmed that both suspects will be charged to court upon the completion of investigations, as the agency continues to probe the full extent of the alleged financial misconduct.