Health National News August 20, 2026 FG releases emergency medical numbers, urges Nigerians to dial 112

The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to dial 112 during emergencies requiring urgent medical assistance, while releasing state emergency call centre numbers.

The National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), in an update on Wednesday, said 112 serves as a central contact for emergency medical assistance.

It said several states also had dedicated emergency call centre numbers to support faster responses to medical emergencies.

According to NEMSAS, the emergency response system provides fast response, professional care and life-saving services, with first responders available 24 hours daily.

The agency released emergency call centre numbers covering 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with most states using 112 alongside dedicated numbers.

For Abia, the listed emergency numbers are 112 and 08000000800, while Adamawa residents can call 112, 1755 or 07011111443.

Akwa Ibom residents can call 112, 08000022322 or 08000022422, while Anambra residents can use 112, 5111, 0800 220 0008 or 112.

For Bauchi, the listed numbers are 112 and 07038636433, while Bayelsa residents can call 112 or 0800 220 0223.

NEMSAS listed Benue’s emergency call centre as “Not Operational,” while Borno residents can call 112 or 08000000033.

Cross River has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Delta residents can call 112, 07041008130 or 07041008131.

For Ebonyi, the listed numbers are 112, 08086446891 and 08086445736, while Edo residents can call 112, 739 or 09037999871.

Ekiti residents can call 112, 08000606606, 08111111-22, -33, -44 or -55, while Enugu residents can use 112, 09074996090 or 07066466429.

Gombe residents can call 112 or 07033825646, while NEMSAS listed Imo’s emergency call centre as “Not Operational.”

Jigawa has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Kaduna residents can call 112 or 08064111599.

For Kano, the listed numbers are 112, 09019999920 and 09049999914, while Katsina and Kebbi each have 112 listed.

Kogi also has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Kwara residents can call 112, 09062010001 or 09062010002.

Lagos residents can call 112 or 767, while Nasarawa residents can use 112 or 08144911269 for emergency assistance.

For Niger, the listed numbers are 112, 0802 242 2953 and 0815 557 7513, while Osun residents can call 112, 08111110532 or 08111110561.

Ogun residents can call 112 or 08112000033, while Ondo residents can use 112 or 08055300300.

For Oyo, the listed emergency numbers are 112 and 615, while Plateau residents can call 112 or 09136982496.

Rivers residents can call 112, 09040222281, 09040222283 or 09040222285, while Sokoto residents can use 112, 07045963318 or 07071765080.

For Taraba, the listed numbers are 112, 07041122777 and 07041100777, while Yobe residents can call 112, 09169981792 or 08000090009.

Zamfara has 112 as its listed emergency number, while residents of the FCT can call 112, 09157892931 or 09157892932.

NEMSAS advised members of the public to save the emergency numbers and use them whenever urgent medical assistance was required.

The agency said its first responders were ready to provide quick response and professional care to help save lives during emergencies.

It urged Nigerians to dial 112 during emergencies, describing the service as available 24 hours daily, seven days weekly. (NAN)

News Security August 20, 2026 Tinubu orders 5-year national security threat assessment, defence plan

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate development of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan to strengthen Nigeria’s response to emerging security challenges.

The directive, according to a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, is aimed at improving coordination among the country’s defence, intelligence and security agencies and ensuring that national security operations are guided by clear, unified priorities.

Tinubu gave the order during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, where he stressed the need for a coherent national framework to identify security threats, set operational objectives and determine the capabilities required to tackle them.

An 11-member committee has been constituted to prepare the strategic plan, with the President’s Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Famadewa, serving as coordinator and providing secretariat support.

Other members of the committee include the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; and Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu.

Also on the committee are the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Ajayi; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Muhammed Muhammed.

The President said recent security successes, including the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, demonstrated the importance of intelligence sharing and effective inter-agency collaboration.

“The operation demonstrated what can be achieved when our agencies work together with a clear objective and the necessary intelligence. We must build on such successes by strengthening coordination and ensuring that all our security capabilities are directed towards clearly defined national objectives,” Tinubu said.

He noted that security and operational requirements had often been addressed individually without adequate reference to a common national threat assessment or a unified medium-term strategy.

According to him, such an approach could undermine coordination, weaken long-term planning and affect the efficient deployment of resources across the country’s various security theatres.

Tinubu directed that the National Threat Assessment should clearly identify the major threats confronting Nigeria, determine their level of urgency and establish specific operational objectives for addressing them.

He said the five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan would convert the assessment into actionable priorities, outlining the forces and capabilities required in different theatres, existing gaps, equipment and support needs, as well as timelines for implementation.

The committee was also authorised to consult or co-opt representatives of other ministries, departments and agencies where necessary.

Tinubu directed the committee to begin work immediately and submit the completed National Threat Assessment and Strategic Defence Operations Plan within 90 days for his consideration and approval.

“Once approved, the plan will serve as the principal framework for coordinating military and defence operations over the medium term,” the President said.

“It will also provide the basis for a corresponding multi-year defence expenditure and procurement plan, ensuring that resources are directed towards agreed operational priorities and critical national security requirements.”

The President further directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser to take immediate steps to implement the directives.

(NAN)

Crime News August 20, 2026 Osogbo Gunfire: Davido was target of attack on Adeleke’s convoy — Police

The Osun State Police Command has said Afrobeat star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was the intended target of an attack that disrupted the convoy of Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The incident occurred as Governor Adeleke visited the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo shortly after receiving his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Davido, a prominent supporter of his uncle during the election campaign, had accompanied the governor and other family members to the INEC office and later to the monarch’s palace.

However, the visit was disrupted after suspected thugs allegedly attempted to gain access to the music star, leading to a confrontation with his security team.

Osun Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said preliminary investigations revealed that one Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as “Small Rugged,” allegedly tried to reach Davido but was prevented by members of the singer’s security team.

According to the police, the suspect is an ex-convict and alleged member of the Eye Confraternity.

“The ensuing confrontation reportedly attracted other suspected gang members in the vicinity, who temporarily blocked the entrance to the palace and obstructed the movement of the convoy of the Governor,” Ojelabi said.

The violence later turned deadly after a 60-year-old man, identified as Tajudeen Yusuf, was reportedly shot by the fleeing suspects.

“Shortly afterwards, the suspected gang members reportedly departed the vicinity; however, on their way, they allegedly shot Tajudeen Yusuf at Itaolokan area of Osogbo,” the police spokesperson said.

He said police operatives were immediately deployed to the scene, where the victim was found in a pool of blood and rushed to the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

“Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead by the doctors on duty,” Ojelabi added.

The police said a full-scale investigation had been launched to identify and arrest all those involved in the incident.

The Commissioner of Police (Election), Osun State Command, CP Samuel Etaifo, condemned the attack and assured residents that all available resources would be deployed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The command also appealed to members of the public with useful information to assist the investigation to contact the nearest police station or reach the police through its official channels.

Ojelabi urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands, assuring that updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.

(NAN)

News August 20, 2026 FG moves to decriminalise attempted suicide, shifts focus to care and support

The Federal Government has taken steps to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria, following the approval of an amendment to the National Mental Health Act by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The proposed amendment, approved on Wednesday, will be transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment. It seeks to replace punishment with care, protection and support for people who attempt to take their own lives.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

Pate said the move was necessary because provisions in the Criminal Code Act and Penal Code, inherited from the colonial era, still criminalise attempted suicide despite the National Mental Health Act 2021 adopting a more supportive approach to people at risk of self-harm.

According to him, the existing law has created a contradiction in Nigeria’s legal and mental health framework and may discourage vulnerable persons from seeking help.

“The idea is that attempted suicide is not a crime. This legal approach discourages help-seeking behaviours and also conflicts with our national mental health policy and the National Mental Health Act 2021,” Pate said.

He described suicide as a major public health concern, citing World Health Organisation estimates of more than 7,000 suicide-related deaths annually and about 300,000 attempts across Nigeria each year.

Pate said the amendment was the outcome of consultations involving the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare and Justice, the Office of the Attorney-General, mental health advocates, a special task force and the National Assembly.

He said the task force was established following a resolution of the House of Representatives, which supported efforts to amend the law and align it with the country’s mental health policy.

FEC approves major health infrastructure projects

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council also approved a series of major investments aimed at upgrading Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.

Among the approvals was the National Centre for Oral Health Establishment Bill 2026, which will also be forwarded to the National Assembly.

The proposed centre is expected to serve as a national referral, research and training institution while providing a stronger legal and institutional framework for tackling oral diseases and related conditions.

FEC also approved several projects for the National Hospital, Abuja, including an administrative block valued at N18.74 million, modular clinics and a theatre complex estimated at N64.92 billion, a high-end wing costing N103 billion and a Neuroscience Institute valued at N69 billion.

Pate said the proposed Neuroscience Institute would provide specialised services in neurosurgery, radiology, intervention and rehabilitation for patients with conditions such as stroke, brain tumours and other neurological disorders.

The Council further approved N302.3 billion for the design, construction, furnishing, equipment, supervision and commissioning of a National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) Centre.

The cancer research and treatment centre is expected to be completed within 36 months and will serve as a major institution for cancer treatment, research, innovation and capacity building.

Pate noted that three upgraded cancer centres in Katsina, Benin and Enugu had already been completed and inaugurated.

According to the minister, the investments are part of the Federal Government’s broader plan to modernise the health sector, improve access to specialised care and reduce the need for Nigerians to travel long distances—or abroad—for treatment.

He added that the projects followed due process and competitive procurement procedures, with necessary clearances obtained from the Bureau of Public Procurement.

“Ultimately, quality healthcare is not cheap,” Pate said, stressing that Nigeria must continue to invest in its health system to deliver the level of care required by its growing population.

The minister also expressed optimism that improved healthcare facilities and working conditions would help retain more Nigerian health professionals and reduce the pressure driving medical workers to seek opportunities outside the country.

NAN

News Politics August 20, 2026 Obi/Kwankwaso ticket offers Nigerians new direction, says Kwankwaso

As the 2027 presidential campaign officially gets underway, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has called on Nigerians to reject divisive politics and rally behind the Obi/Kwankwaso ticket of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), saying the election offers the country an opportunity to choose a new direction.

Kwankwaso , in a message to Nigerians marking the commencement of the campaign, said the country is at a critical crossroads, with millions of citizens grappling with rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and deteriorating social infrastructure.

He said the increasing cost of food and essential commodities had placed enormous pressure on families, while businesses are struggling with high operating costs and an uncertain economic environment.

According to him, millions of young Nigerians are searching for meaningful employment and opportunities, stressing that the country urgently needs leadership capable of responding to the economic challenges confronting citizens.

The NDC bigwig also expressed concern over persistent insecurity, noting that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violence had claimed lives, displaced families and destroyed livelihoods across the country.

“Our farmers need security to return to their farms, our children need safe schools, and every Nigerian deserves to live without fear,” he said.

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso further called for urgent investment in education and healthcare, improved infrastructure, stronger institutions and greater transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

Despite the challenges, he said Nigeria remained a country of enormous potential, with the human and natural resources needed to build a prosperous and secure nation.

“What we need is leadership with the competence, courage and commitment to put the interests of Nigerians first,” he said.

Explaining his decision to support the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, Kwankwaso said the partnership is not driven by regional, religious or personal interests but by a shared commitment to rebuilding Nigeria.

“This is why I have chosen to work with His Excellency, Peter Obi, on the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket,” he said.

“Our partnership is not about region, religion or personal ambition. It is about Nigeria.”

He said the coalition believes in a country where the government serves the people, hard work is rewarded, young Nigerians can build successful futures at home, and that every citizen has a fair opportunity to prosper.

Senator Kwankwaso urged young people, women, workers, farmers, entrepreneurs and professionals to join the political movement and demand accountability, competence and measurable results from public office holders.

He also appealed to Nigerians to move beyond politics of division and focus on issues affecting their daily lives.

“The 2027 election presents Nigerians with an opportunity to choose a new direction,” he said.

He,therefore, called on Nigerians to support the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket and candidates of the NDC, urging them to participate actively in the effort to rebuild the country.

Kwankwaso also appealed to political parties, candidates and supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and responsibly, with the national interest placed above personal and sectional considerations.

“Together, we can build a stronger nation and Nigeria will be OK,” he said.

Crime News August 20, 2026 JUST IN: Gov Adeleke escapes death as hoodlums attack convoy in Osogbo

Suspected thugs on Wednesday attacked the convoy of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, shortly after his visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, triggering an exchange of gunfire with the governor’s security personnel.

The shooting, which lasted for about 12 to 15 minutes, occurred shortly after Adeleke left the palace hall where he had met with the monarch.

Adeleke had arrived at the Ataoja’s palace at about 3:15 pm in a motorcade of about 20 vehicles after leaving the Osun State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Osogbo, where he received his Certificate of Return following his re-election.

An eyewitness, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said Adeleke and his entourage were received by Oyetunji, where the governor reportedly presented his Certificate of Return to the monarch.

The eyewitness said trouble started as the meeting was winding down after the monarch had offered prayers.

According to her, Adeleke had already left the hall through an exit reserved for the monarch and his wives when the shooting started.

She said, “He was already in the bus that brought him and his close aides to the palace when we started hearing heavy gunshots. Those that attacked had come in an “The shooting lasted for about 12 to 15 minutes before the governor’s convoy eventually left the palace. The governor’s security men and those hoodlums exchanged gunshots. Those hoodlums later fled the scene.” Sienna space bus through the Ita Olokan area of Osogbo.

A trader near the palace, identified simply as Munirat, said the assailants might have learnt of Adeleke’s visit and waited for his arrival.

She said, “We suspected that those hoodlums heard about Adeleke’s visit and had been waiting for him. They came in a Sienna space bus. They even damaged the main gate to the palace. They shot at the palace main gate, but the security men pushed them back.

“We all ran away and left our wares. They also engaged the governor near the Osogbo Central Mosque before they fled towards Ita Olokan along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road.”

The incident caused panic in the area as traders and other residents reportedly fled their businesses and sought safety during the shooting.

When contacted, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the attack.

Alimi said the governor’s security personnel successfully repelled the assailants and that no casualty was recorded.

“They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security repelled them. They attacked the governor’s convoy at Ataoja’s palace. No casualty,” he said.

As of 4:45 pm, when our correspondent left the scene, sporadic gunshots were still being heard around the area, while several business owners had hurriedly shut their shops for fear of being caught in the violence.

THE PUNCH

Crime News August 20, 2026 JUST IN:Tinubu direct EFCC to channelled reovered funds to NELFUND

President Bola Tinubu has directed that all funds recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) be channelled to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Tunji Alausa, minister of education, spoke on Wednesday during a press briefing at the State House shortly after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting.

Alausa said FEC also approved that all other unclaimed dividends in the Capital Market Trust Fund and Dormant Account Trust Fund be channelled to the student loan scheme in a bid to expand the reach of the fund and strengthen its efficiency.

“The president, in his benevolence, has now directed that all funds recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission be diverted to NELFUND to continue to support its funding,” Alausa said.

“This was also approved by FEC: that all unclaimed dividends from the Capital Market Trust Fund and the Dormant Account Trust Fund should also be directed to NELFUND, so that NELFUND will be financially buoyant to meet its growing obligations today.

“Note, and the President was very clear, not ceased properties, or recovered looted funds, but liquid funds, from the EFCC will now be transferred to NELFUND.“

NELFUND was established in 2024 after Tinubu signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act into law to provide interest-free loans to eligible students in tertiary institutions.

As of August 8, the fund said it had paid out over N322 billion for institutional fees and upkeep allowances to over 1.6 million students nationwide.

THECABLE