Health

Group hails IG as mother accused Hospital of stealing Placenta

The Inspector General of Police, (IG) Kayode Egbetokun has received praises for the prompt arrest of suspects accused of stealing the placenta of a new born baby in privated hospital located in Kwara State. The suspects were taken from Ilofa to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Thursday.
In a statement signed by NHRC’s official, Mr Taiwo Adeleye said the arrest of the suspects was an important step towards securing justice for the families of Mr Rotimi Williams whose wife accused health officials at a private hospital of stealing the placenta of her new born baby.
The Nigerian Human Rights Community, (NHRC),a coalition of 130 civil society groups spread across Nigeria on Thursday expressed delight at the arrest of the suspects by the police.
The group said it was aware of plots by some powerful individuals to clog the wheel of justice but was delighted that the IG has brought hope to the despairing family. It called for full investigation that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of all culprits.
Few days ago, Mrs Williams accused the management of Cottage hospital, Ilofa, Kwara State of failing to account for the placenta of her new born baby. In complaints lodged with the NHRC, Mrs Williams said a nurse, Mrs Alabi took the delivery, one nurse Adeloye cleaned up the baby while one Mrs Toyin, a ward attendant claimed she mistakenly threw away the placenta.
“In Nigerian agelong tradition, the placenta is linked to the spiritual and physical wellbeing of a new born baby. There is a customary and agelong way of burying placenta of which every medical staff is aware.The disappearance of a baby’s placenta is a source of eternal trauma for the parents and a prelude to impugn the future of the child based on timeless tradition and beliefs,” the NHRC said.
The Coalition said the placenta could be stolen for rituals, adding that stealing a placenta is like killing the child or using the child for ritual by other means The group said it would follow-up the case “day and night” to ensure justice is done. The NHRC said Mrs Toyin brought out the mother’s bags from the labour room but failed to take the placenta along.
The rights group said one Mrs Ayoni Awolusi in the course of the delivery, claimed she was to be on duty but was absent. The medical personnel expected to be on dury was Dr. Ajibola. NHRC said Mrs Williams put to bed around 7pm on Sunday May 12 but discovered the missing placenta very early on Monday 13th, May.
The group called on the IG to intensify the probe and ensure every one connected with the gory episode is brought to justice

Health

Lassa fever affects 21 states cases increase in Nigeria

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, says Lassa fever has claimed 168 lives across 21 states in 2025.

The agency in its situation report for epidemiological week 38, disclosed a total of 4,543 suspected cases, of which 897 were confirmed positive, with a case fatality rate of 18.7 per cent.

It stated that four states, Ondo, Edo, Taraba, and Bauchi, remain the epicentres of the outbreak, accounting for 67 per cent of all confirmed cases. Ondo alone has recorded the highest burden, followed by Edo and Bauchi.

According to the agency, other affected states include Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, Gombe, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Enugu, Delta, Anambra, Rivers, Borno, Oyo, Ogun, the Federal Capital Territory, and Lagos.

The report also highlighted that most of the confirmed cases were among people aged 21 to 40, with both men and women affected.

The NCDC said this age group is the most socially and economically active, making them more exposed to the rodent-borne disease.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected rats.

Health

NAFDAC orders removal of 101 products, warns against sale, use

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered the withdrawal, suspension and cancellation of 101 products from circulation in Nigeria.

The agency gave the order in a post on its official X handle yesterday, stating that the affected products must no longer be manufactured, imported, exported, distributed, advertised, sold or used in the country.

“This is to inform the general public that the following products are approved for withdrawal, suspension and cancellation by NAFDAC. They are therefore no longer permitted for manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use within Nigeria,” the statement read.

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According to NAFDAC, a product is considered withdrawn when its registration is discontinued at the request of the market authorisation holder, suspended when licensing conditions are no longer met, and cancelled when the agency revokes the registration licence completely.

The list encompasses a wide range of medicines and health products, including antibiotics, diabetes medications, cardiovascular drugs, and insulin injectables.

The agency urged healthcare providers, importers, distributors, retailers and the general public to consult the full list of affected products on its website and ensure strict compliance with the directive

Health

Ebola Virus: NCDC Declares Index Suspects Negative

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has declared that there was no case of Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), after the index patient suspected of having the virus that causes haemorrhagic fever tested negative for Ebola and Marburg disease.

In a statement on his X handle on Friday, the Centre, however, noted that further tests for other VHFs like Lassa and Dengue are ongoing.

“Thanks to early reporting by a traveller and the swift action of vigilant health workers, the risk to the public was minimised.”

It advised the public to seek medical help immediately if they felt unwell, especially after travelling.

The NCDC also advised the public to shun rumours.

“If you feel unwell, especially after travel, seek medical care immediately. Wash hands regularly & practise good hygiene. Avoid contact with anyone showing unexplained fever, bleeding, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

“Rely only on official NCDC updates. Say no to rumours,” the Centre wrote.

The Centre’s update came after the suspect passengers aboard the Rwanda Air to Abuja were thought to have exhibited Ebola-related symptoms.

Similarly, a statement signed by the Director General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, said: “We wish to inform the public that two recent suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever in Abuja both tested negative for Ebola and Marburg viruses.

“We are currently testing samples for other viral hemorrhagic fevers like Lassa Fever and Dengue Fever.
“The most recent case involved a traveller who, after returning to Nigeria from Kigali, responsibly presented himself immediately to a hospital in Abuja when he felt unwell.

“His decision to report early, combined with the vigilance of the attending clinician and hospital team, ensured that our public health system was promptly activated and that the risk to the public was minimised.

“This responsible action is highly commendable and a good practice all Nigerians are urged to emulate; when you feel unwell, especially after travel, seek care early. Doing so protects you, your family, and your community.”