News
USAID, SON Partner to Reduce Lead Poisoning and Protect Nigerian Children

USAID, SON Partner to Reduce Lead Poisoning and Protect Nigerian Children
By: Michael Mike
The United States Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Nigeria, through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), have agreed to collaborate on mitigating lead poisoning in the country.
By this arrangement, they plan to enhance surveillance, regulation, and enforcement of standards related to consumer goods and paints in Nigeria.
Lead can affect individuals of any age, but children are particularly vulnerable due to their behavioral patterns and susceptibility to toxicity at lower exposure levels.
Globally, an estimated one-third of children have blood lead concentrations that impair cognitive development and contribute to learning disabilities and attention deficits. A 2011 survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that unsafe mining and ore processing are the leading causes of lead poisoning in Nigeria.
USAID/Nigeria Mission Director, Melissa Jones in a meeting with SON Director General Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, said: “USAID is committed to leading the Government of Nigeria’s mitigation efforts to save Nigerian children from further risk of lead exposure.”
A statement on Thursday said USAID will provide technical assistance to SON to raise awareness about the safe use of products that contain lead, support Nigeria in joining the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (Lead Paint Alliance), and aid SON in enacting legislation to identify lead-containing products and its manufacturers. SON will lead engagement with other federal agencies working on lead removal in high-risk communities.
SON Director-General Dr. Okeke said that to limit lead in consumer goods and paints, SON adopted global and regional standards prohibiting the production and importation of paint products with lead concentration beyond 90 parts per million.
In April 2024, SON will participate in the United States and Nigeria Bi-National Commission meeting, contributing to technical discussions on policy framework, regulation, and sensitization on lead mitigation in Nigeria.
USAID, SON Partner to Reduce Lead Poisoning and Protect Nigerian Children
News
Soldier killed, two injured as bandits ambush military vehicle in Katsina

Soldier killed, two injured as bandits ambush military vehicle in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits on Wednesday ambushed a military Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) in Yadi forest, near Machika village in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing one soldier and critically injuring two others.
It was gathered that the APC had developed a mechanical fault while on patrol before it was attacked at about 2:32 p.m.
Sources said hat the heavily armed bandits seized the opportunity to launch a coordinated assault on the stranded vehicle.
“In the course of the attack, one soldier was fatally shot while two others sustained life-threatening injuries. The injured personnel were immediately evacuated for medical attention,” the report noted.
Following the incident, a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet was deployed to the area for aerial support, while troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA cordoned off the forest in search of the attackers.
Security operations in the area are ongoing to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the deadly ambush.
Soldier killed, two injured as bandits ambush military vehicle in Katsina
News
Mob kills suspected motorcycle thief in Gombe, police arrest four

Mob kills suspected motorcycle thief in Gombe, police arrest four
By: Zagazola Makama
The Gombe State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a 22-year-old man by a mob in Kumo, Akko Local Government Area, over allegations of motorcycle theft.
Sources said the incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, when the victim, identified as Daudu Ahmed of Sarkin Yaki Quarters, was attacked with machetes to the head and stomach by a group of youths accusing him of being a serial motorcycle thief.
The matter was reported to the Akko Divisional Police Station by the victim’s elder brother, Dahiru Ahmed, at about 10:15 a.m.
The Divisional Police Officer and his team responded swiftly and rushed the victim to the General Hospital, Kumo, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
Four suspects were identified and two Babayo Musa and Zaidu Sani both of Jauro Musa Quarters were arrested. The others, identified only as Sulaiman and Usama, remain at large alongside other fleeing suspects.
During interrogation, the arrested suspects reportedly confessed that the deceased had been involved in motorcycle snatching and was a known threat in the area. Machetes used in the attack were recovered as evidence.
Sources said that case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.
Mob kills suspected motorcycle thief in Gombe, police arrest four
News
Gunmen abduct two in Kwara Fulani camp, injure one

Gunmen abduct two in Kwara Fulani camp, injure one
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men have abducted two residents and injured another during an attack on Baba Ramo Fulani Camp near Isanlu Isin in Kwara State, the police have confirmed.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, when the gunmen stormed the camp, shooting sporadically before whisking away two men identified as Ibrahim Nuhu and Musa Umar.
Sources said during the attack, one Opeyemi Ibrahim sustained a gunshot wound to his right thigh and was rushed to Adeyemi Hospital in Omu-Aran for urgent medical attention.
Following the incident, local hunters and vigilantes immediately launched a bush combing operation in an attempt to rescue the abductees.
During the search, the team recovered eight empty AK-47 bullet shells, a severed human thumb, a flashlight, and a blue Bajaj motorcycle with registration number KMA 185 VD. About 50 cows believed to have been abandoned by the attackers were also recovered.
All recovered items have been handed over to the police, and an investigation is currently ongoing to track down the abductors and secure the release of the victims.
Gunmen abduct two in Kwara Fulani camp, injure one
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