The Federal Government has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to carry out necessary procedures for the assessment of a plant-based cough mixture as a possible alternative treatment for coronavirus.
This directive was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mashi Abdullahi, in a memo addressed to the director-general of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye.
The memo, titled ‘Formulation of a Phyto-Medicine-Based Cough Mixture/Syrup for the Management of COVID-19 Patients by Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Department of the Ministry said Nigeria is blessed with medicinal plants which could be exploited.
The Permanent Secretary stated that the formulation is a Cov-herbal cough mixture whose ingredients are medicinal plants, widely used as food materials and medicines.
According to him ‘these medicinal plants have documented scientific evidence of long use for the management of cough and other respiratory infections, with medicinal properties of mucolytic, antitussive, expectorant, soothing, demulcent, anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects.
“It is heartwarming to note that the Department of TCAM has taken the pains to research into scientific materials to come up with a formulation intended for the management of cough in COVID-19 and other cough-related infections.”
“The ministry is determined to walk the talk in the promotion and integration of herbal medicine into the health care delivery system.
“In view of the foregoing and the desire of the ministry to showcase to the public a product that is 100 per cent sourced locally, you are requested to carry out the necessary procedures for listing.
“The ministry will contract the packaging of the product to some identified pharmaceutical companies.”
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News
Four gunmen killed as NSCDC operatives engage armed bandits in gun duel
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Four gunmen killed as NSCDC operatives engage armed bandits in gun duel
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Katsina Command has killed four suspected terrorists in Dutsinma Local Government Area of the state.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SC Buhari Hamisu, confirmed this in a statement on Monday. He said two separate attacks were repelled.
According to him, operatives repelled an attack by suspected armed bandits who stormed the permanent site of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) on Feb. 21.
“The gallant men of NSCDC attached to the university successfully neutralised three criminals, including the notorious Ayuba Buzaru, who stormed the institution as their route,” he said.
The team also rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered some rustled goats, the NSCDC spokesman revealed.
He added that NSCDC personnel, in a joint operation with the police, repelled another attack on Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Federal Government Special Grains Reserve (Silo) in Darawa.
Hamisu stated, “The valiant operatives overpowered the criminals, neutralising one suspected armed bandit, while others fled with gunshot wounds.”
He confirmed that the body of the suspected criminal had been deposited at General Hospital Dutsinma.
“The armed bandits have been attempting to attack the Silo, which stores grains distributed to people in Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto,” he added.
The Corps personnel also dispersed another group of suspected armed bandits at Gago Village, near Isah Kaita College of Education in Dutsinma.
“The Command remains dedicated to promoting safety and security for the people of the state and Nigeria as a whole, while protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure,” he said. (NAN)
Crime
Housewife arrested for stabbing Husband to death during domestic argument
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Housewife arrested for stabbing Husband to death during domestic argument
The Police command in Bauchi State has arrested a 25-year-old resident of Nadabo village in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.
She is accused of killing her husband after a domestic dispute.
CSP Ahmed Wakil, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed this to journalists in Bauchi on Monday.
He said preliminary investigations suggest the couple had been struggling with marital issues, mainly concerning the custody of Salamatu’s six-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.
“Although initial discussions with Salamatu’s family seemed to support bringing the child into their home, the husband’s subsequent refusal reportedly heightened tensions within the household,” Wakil stated.
The situation escalated fatally when, during a heated argument, the wife allegedly grabbed a knife from their bedroom.
According to Wakil, this led to the tragic incident.
Detectives from the Bununu Police Divisional Headquarters responded swiftly to a distress call. They evacuated the victim to the Cottage Hospital in Bununu for urgent medical attention.
“Despite the efforts of medical personnel, the husband was pronounced dead due to the injuries sustained,” Wakil added.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Musa, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough and discreet investigation. Legal action will follow based on the findings.(NAN)
News
At Senior officers Conference, IGP orders CPs AIGs others to reduce crime rates by 50%
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At Senior officers Conference, IGP orders CPs AIGs others to reduce crime rates by 50%
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed all commands of the Force to implement a comprehensive plan to reduce crime rates by 50 per cent in 2025.
He gave the directive at the 5th Edition of the Annual Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Abeokuta on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is with the theme ‘Improving Nigeria’s Internal Security and Economic Prosperity Through Inclusive Policing.’
Over 1,000 senior police officers are attending the three-day conference, which runs from Feb. 24 to 26.
Egbetokun noted that the theme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s security vision and reinforces the commitment to tackling insecurity.
“The theme highlights the President’s plan to build a professionally competent, intelligence-driven police force capable of addressing emerging threats proactively,” he said.
According to him, intensified operations and cooperation with the military and other security agencies are yielding significant results in the fight against organised crime.
Also speaking, Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr Chiedu Ebie, urged the Federal Government to conduct periodic evaluations and vetting of police officers.
“A regular and comprehensive health check, including psychiatric assessments, must not be overlooked,” he said.
He also commended the police for their efforts to improve security in the country.
“However, Nigerians do not always appreciate the police force enough.
“As it stands, only 370,000 officers are responsible for the security of over 230 million people,” he stressed.
He promised that the commission would support the police in all capacities.
A senior police officer, speaking anonymously to NAN, said many commands are implementing the directive to reduce crime by 50 per cent.
“This is why the country is witnessing a higher rate of prosecutions in the courts,” he said. (NAN)
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