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MSF joins noma survivors in celebrating inclusion in WHO neglected tropical diseases list
MSF joins noma survivors in celebrating inclusion in WHO neglected tropical diseases list
By: Michael Mike
Three years into its campaign to have noma recognised as a see tropical disease (NTD), international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) welcomes the decision by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), to include noma in the WHO’s official list of NTDs.
Following a meeting in Geneva on 12 October 2023, the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG-NTD) concluded that noma fits all the criteria for inclusion on the WHO’s official list. The group shared this recommendation with the WHO director-general, who has now ratified it.
“We welcome the WHO director-general’s decision, which confirms what MSF and the medical community have insisted on for years: that noma is a neglected tropical disease and deserves all the attention and resources that this implies,” says Mark Sherlock, MSF health programmes manager. “We hope that this decision will shine a spotlight on the disease, facilitating the integration of noma prevention and treatment activities into existing public health programmes, and encouraging the allocation of much-needed resources to help tackle the disease.”
Noma is a completely preventable disease and is easy to treat if addressed in time. Untreated, it destroys the skin and bones of the face in just a few weeks, leading to death for around 90 per cent of those infected. The 10 per cent who survive face a future of pain, disfigurement, and social stigma. The disease most commonly affects children who are malnourished or whose immune systems are otherwise compromised.
The lead sponsor country for the request to have noma recognised as an NTD is Nigeria. In January 2023, the Nigerian Ministry of Health submitted a package to the WHO which included an official request letter, letters of endorsement from 31 countries, and a dossier of evidence demonstrating that noma fits the criteria for inclusion. MSF supported Nigeria in providing the medical evidence, based on years of research, and drawing on MSF’s experience treating survivors of noma, in the hope that NTD listing will bring increased attention, earlier diagnosis and stronger research.
MSF has supported the Nigerian Ministry of Health’s Sokoto noma hospital, in northwest Nigeria, since 2014, where its teams provide reconstructive surgery, nutritional support, mental health support and outreach activities. Since 2014, MSF’s surgical teams in Sokoto have carried out 1,203 surgeries on 837 patients.
“Inclusion in the WHO’s list of NTDs is an important step, but not the final one,” says Sherlock. “We plan to shift towards mobilising resources and strategic alliances within the global health community to facilitate programming and research to raise awareness of noma, reduce mortality and improve the patients and survivors’ life conditions.”
MSF plans to focus on research, expanding its collaboration with academic institutes around the world to discover more about the causes of noma. Another key step will be to integrate noma surveillance systems into MSF’s medical work. “In endemic countries, MSF plans to introduce screening for noma into existing MSF programmes, such as malnutrition screening and vaccination campaigns, with the aim of early detection and prompt treatment,” says Sherlock.
Finally, MSF will continue its advocacy efforts around noma. Its three-year campaign has received strong support from survivors of the disease, who have contributed their voices to get across the simple but important message: that noma is a preventable and treatable disease which should no longer exist.
MSF joins noma survivors in celebrating inclusion in WHO neglected tropical diseases list
NDLEA Secures 974 Drug Convictions in Three Months, 11 Kingpins Bag 254 Years in Prison
By: Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its anti-narcotics campaign, securing 974 convictions across the country within the first quarter of 2026, including 11 high-profile drug traffickers who collectively received 254 years in prison sentences.
Data released by the agency showed that between January and March 2026, a total of 974 offenders were convicted and sentenced for drug-related offences. Of this figure, 899 were male and 75 female convicts. Monthly breakdown indicates 265 convictions in January, 316 in February, and 393 in March, reflecting a steady escalation in enforcement outcomes.
Among those convicted are 11 identified drug kingpins whose cases were prosecuted across various divisions of the Federal High Court nationwide, following NDLEA operations targeting trafficking networks and illicit drug distribution chains.
One of the most prominent convictions involved Italy-based businessman, Adegbite Solomon, also known as “Obama,” who was sentenced by the Federal High Court in Lagos to a cumulative 130 years in prison after being found guilty on a 15-count charge. The court also ordered the revocation of his pharmacy licence, forfeiture of two pharmacy outlets, and the seizure of funds in multiple bank accounts to the Federal Government.
In another case, 32-year-old Ridwan Animashaun was handed a 25-year sentence by the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State. The convict had previously been jailed for a related drug offence in 2022, marking him as a repeat offender.
Similarly, two traffickers, Rauf Asogba and Seun Olaniyi, received 17-year prison terms each from the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, after being convicted for trafficking 1,779 kilograms of cannabis (skunk).
Other notable convictions include Jonathan Nuhu, also known as “Doctor,” sentenced to 15 years in Kano, and Idris Yusuf, who received a 15-year term in Damaturu, Yobe State, alongside an additional eight-year sentence from a related case.
Several others across different jurisdictions were handed seven-year sentences for various drug trafficking offences, underscoring what authorities describe as an intensified nationwide crackdown.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the outcome as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing war against illicit drugs.
He said the conviction of nearly 1,000 offenders within three months sends a strong warning to drug cartels and traffickers operating in the country.
“Securing 974 convictions in just three months reflects the determination of our officers and the declining tolerance of the Nigerian state for drug merchants. The combined 254-year sentences handed to these kingpins show clearly that impunity in the drug trade is no longer sustainable,” Marwa stated.
He commended the judiciary for what he described as swift and decisive adjudication of drug cases, stressing that timely justice remains a key deterrent to organised criminal networks.
Marwa also praised NDLEA operatives for their operational courage and professionalism, pledging continued investment in their welfare and operational capacity.
He further called on Nigerians to support ongoing efforts by providing credible intelligence, noting that community cooperation remains vital in dismantling drug trafficking networks.
The agency reiterated its commitment to sustaining pressure on drug cartels through arrests, prosecution, and asset forfeiture, as part of a broader national strategy to curb substance abuse and protect vulnerable populations.
NDLEA Secures 974 Drug Convictions in Three Months, 11 Kingpins Bag 254 Years in Prison
Troops arrest suspected cattle rustler in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested a suspected cattle rustler in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources said the suspect was apprehended at about 4:20 p.m. on April 15, 2026, at Anule community.
According to the sources, troops of Sector 1 OPWS deployed in the area arrested the suspect during ongoing security operations.
The suspect is currently in custody, while further investigation is underway to determine possible links to cattle rustling activities in the area.
Troops arrest suspected cattle rustler in Benue
Troops arrest suspected terrorist, recover motorcycle in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested a suspected terrorist during an operation in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 5:19 p.m. on April 15, 2026, following intelligence on the presence of a suspected criminal hiding in Tse Atu community.
According to the sources, troops of Sector 1 OPWS deployed at Anguhah and Umbagbo swiftly responded and conducted a targeted operation in the area.
During the operation, one suspect was apprehended, while a motorcycle believed to be linked to the suspect was also recovered.
The suspect and the recovered item are currently in custody, while further investigation is ongoing to ascertain the suspect’s involvement in criminal activities.
Troops arrest suspected terrorist, recover motorcycle in Benue
NDLEA Secures 974 Drug Convictions in Three Months, 11 Kingpins Bag 254 Years in Prison
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