Connect with us

CRIME

COVID -19: FG Begins Investigation of Pharmacies Over Drug Price Hike

Published

on

Share

By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Tuesday said it was investigating what it described as “unwholesome acts” by pharmacies in most parts of the country for selling medications perceived as efficacious therapy in addressing COVID-19 at a very high price, warning that they would be prosecuted accordingly.

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, Mr Babatunde Irukera in a statement he personally signed, said “It is unconscionable, exploitative and predatory to take opportunistic advantage of citizens on account of a pandemic and consumer apprehension.

Irukera said that the investigation of pharmacies was in furtherance of continuing oversight and in response to multiple social media posts about what appeared to be excessive and unconscionable pricing of potentially vital medication used for the coronavirus.

According to him, in some of the targets of this investigation, the Commission discovered what appeared to be inconsistent pricing of other products that are considered relevant to managing COVID -19 with most being sold at margins between 66% and 89%.

Specifically, he noted that there had been a rash of posts representing Hydroxychloroquine to costing between N50,000.00 and N75,000.00.  

According to him, one of the posts showed the medicine and a price tag of N50,000.00 of Ebus Pharmacy in Port-Harcourt.

The Commission has also become aware of price display of N75,000.00 by HealthPlus Limited, he said.

“Between 10.00A.M. and 6.00P.M. today, the Commission conducted simultaneous on-site investigations on Ebus and Avis Pharmacy, both in Port-Harcourt; multiple locations of Health Plus Limited in Lagos and Abuja, Tonia Pharmacy, H-Medix and New Health Pharmacies, all in Abuja.  

“Although investigations are progressing, preliminary findings show that HealthPlus Limited indeed has carried at least two brands of Hydroxychloroquine with internal control documents showing sale prices of N33,000.00 and N75,000.00. Ebus admits the veracity of the posts showing its price at N50,000.00. There is evidence that New Health Pharmacy has sold Hydroxychloroquine between N50,000.00 and N65,000.00,” he stated.

The Commission added that the investigation was at early stages and the it has not made any final findings. 

“However unreasonable, unjust and irrational prices or margins are a criminal offence under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act and the Commission is currently prosecuting some pharmacies and supermarkets for this,” he said.

The Commission reiterated its previous advisories and admonitions while reinstating its commitment, desire and will to enforce the law.

CRIME

We Say No to killings of Christians in Nigeria – Group

Published

on

Share

By David Torough, Abuja

The Future Platform, a Nigeria-based organization headquartered in the United States, has expressed deep concern over the increasing attacks and killings of Christians in various parts of Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its President, Mr.

Austine Dafe, the group condemned the ongoing violence and called on the Nigerian government to take decisive steps to ensure the safety of all citizens.

The organization cited recent incidents in Plateau, Benue, Kwara, Jigawa, Anambra, and Kaduna States, where Christian communities have come under repeated attacks, leading to loss of lives, destruction of properties, and displacement of families.

It described the situation as deeply troubling and urged authorities to act swiftly to bring perpetrators to justice.

“The government must address the root causes of these violent attacks and prioritize the protection of human life,” the statement said. “Every Nigerian, irrespective of religion, deserves to live in peace and worship freely without fear.”

The group further noted that the persistent killings have drawn international attention, with calls from the United States and Canada for urgent intervention to halt the violence.

The Future Platform appealed to Federal and State Governments, as well as religious and community leaders, to speak out against hate and intolerance while working together to promote peace, unity, and justice.

“This is a time for leadership and moral courage,” Mr. Dafe stated. “The killings must stop, and the lives of innocent Nigerians must be protected.”

Continue Reading

CRIME

Police Arrest Seven Suspects Linked to Murder of IBBUL Student

Published

on

Share

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Following the killing of a 300 level Student of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), Abdulwahab Jafar that led to a massive protest, the State Police Command has arrested seven persons linked to the crime.

The Niger State Police Command in a Statement on Tuesday by the police public Relations officer, Wasiu Abiodun said a total of 19 persons  were initially arrested,  but after screening 7 were detained.

He said the breakthrough is coming almost four months after the 23yrs old was killed from wounds he sustained while been stabbed at his lodge.

“It could be recalled that on June 23, 2025 at about 3am, there was a report of an unfortunate attack on a student of the IBBUL identified as Abdulwahab Jafar 23yrs of Paiko at his lodge in the school, among other attacks leading to loss of life of the said student”

He recalled that, the incident led to other crises in Lapai community and Police tactical teams were deployed to the town through which normalcy was restored.

“However, in a follow up investigative effort of the Command, jointly carried out by TST and FID STS, a total of 19 persons were arrested in Lapai and other locations in the State based on intelligence and other information at the disposal of the Police Command

“The investigation activities were narrowed down to seven suspects for criminal conspiracy, robbery, unlawful society, internet fraud, having in possession of dangerous weapons and suspected culpable homicide “

The Command  named the seven suspects  as ; Idris Hamza 27yrs of Maikunkele, Suleiman Damilare 27yrs of Maikunkele, Abdulsemiu Bashir 23yrs of Lapai,Bawa Aliyu 27yrs of Suleja and Yakubu Musa – Pypa 24yrs of Maikunkele .

Others are Samson Abbah, Small 28yrs Rafin /Yanshi, Solomon Musa – Cabella 28yrs of Maitumbi.

Acvording to SP Wasiu Abiodun, based on credible intelligence, Idris Hamza and Suleiman Damilare were arrested on June 27 at Fadikpe with cannabis, charms, and local black soaps with a Toyota Corolla vehicle at one Abdullahi Ahmed a.k.a catch-up residence.

The suspects confessed to members of Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM) and further confessed to having carried out a series of cultist activities in IBBUL such as initiation of members’ e.g Jolijoli and other members.

“Their confessions led to the arrest of Abdulsemiu Basir, who is reasonably suspected to be a rival member of the group known as VIKINGS.”

He explained that, upon his arrest in Lapai at a motor park on June 29, a spot search was carried out on him, he was found in possession of 16 SIM cards, POS machine and sum of seventy-seven thousand naira.

“He claimed that he bought the SIM cards from one Audu, another member of VIKINGS presently at large, and the SIM cards were confirmed to be from stolen/robbed phones of victims”.

Bawa Aliyu, before his arrest, was said  to have admitted  that he was a butcher with axe in NBM Lapai while Yakubu Musa a.k.a PYPA (protect your peace) was arrested on August 14, also a member of NBM, they confirmed to have carried out several attacks and robberies in students lodges to finance their dues, with internet fraud.

Samson Abbah a.k.a Small of Rafin-Yanshi was a student of Federal Polytechnic Bida, graduated in 2017, but joined NBM in 2015, he was also mentioned as the group Admin officer of their WhatsApp platform for Minna zone.

The platform was named as “Men that matters” before he changed it to “Football News”, where they discussed their nefarious activities. Solomon Musa known as Cabella, a close friend of Bawa and Yakubu, the three of them with others attempted to attack another student in the school in August, but met his absence and destroyed the student’s apartment over an alleged rude attitude of the student to them as they claimed.

The Command said investigation is still ongoing and effort to identify either VIKINGS or NBM members responsible for the attack of the deceased is intensified, as it was established that the attack was cultists related.

Continue Reading

CRIME

FCT Police confirms suspected suicide in Abuja

Published

on

Share

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, at the weekend confirmed suspected suicide of one Ik Ojo (male, 30) who was found hanging in his residence at Kagini, Dei-Dei area of the FCT.

This was contained in a statement issued by FCT Police command and signed by SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer,FCT Police Command,Abuja.

.

She said the command  received a distress call on the 5th of August , 2025 reporting the suspected suicide of one Ik Ojo (male, 30).

The statement reads, “Responding promptly, police operatives from Dei-Dei Division visited the scene and evacuated the victim to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

The body has since been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, has ordered a thorough and discreet investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further details will be communicated as the investigation progresses”.

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction
Continue Reading

Advertisement

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

POLITICS21 minutes ago

Group Backs Tinubu, Urges Sule to Run for Senate

ShareFrom Abel Zwanke, Lafia The Chief Executive Officer of the Community Initiative for Character Moulding and Entrepreneurship Development (CiCMED) and...

NEWS56 minutes ago

Ooni Installs Oluremi Tinubu as Yeye Asiwaju Ile Oodua

ShareFrom Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo The Permanent Chairman, Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and Ooni of...

NEWS1 hour ago

NYSC Presidential Honor Award Winner Returns to Benue, Shows Appreciations

ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi An ex- corps member and a recipient of Presidential Honour Award, Udokpo Abasi, at the weekend...

NEWS2 hours ago

NGO Launches Climate Project Steering Committee in Benue

ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi A global Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), International Alert has inaugurated Climate Project Steering Committee in Benue State,...

OPINION2 hours ago

A silent Emergency: Soaring Costs of Diabetes Care Spark Alarm

ShareBy Folasade Akpan For Mrs Schola Effiong, a 58-year-old confidential secretary in Calabar, managing diabetes in today’s economy feels like...

Health3 hours ago

World Bank, Partners Record Progress Toward 1.5bn Healthcare Goal

ShareThe World Bank Group, global partners and countries on Saturday announced continued progress toward the goal of delivering affordable and...

Health3 hours ago

UN Commits to Strengthening Nigeria’s Policy Framework, Enhancing Digital Safety

ShareThe UN Women has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening policy frameworks, enhancing digital safety, and promoting accountability for online harms...

Foreign News3 hours ago

Nightclub Fire in India’s Goa Kills 25 People

ShareA fire at a popular nightclub in India’s coastal region of Goa has killed 25 people, local officials say. Police...

Foreign News5 hours ago

Hong Kong votes in Election as City Mourns Deadly Fire

ShareHongkongers are voting in an election seen as a test of public sentiment following a deadly fire that angered some...

NEWS5 hours ago

PDP Crisis: Wike Camp Moves to Conduct Fresh Congresses, Convention

ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja The factional Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Nyesom Wike tendency in the Peoples Democratic Party...