Nigeria News (Standard)
Ex-DSS Director Dennis Amachree Dismisses Claims Abacha Was Poisoned, Attributes Death to Heart Attack
Former DSS official says investigation found no evidence of poisoning, as 28-year-old rumours around Abacha’s death persist
Former DSS official says investigation found no evidence of poisoning, as 28-year-old rumours around Abacha’s death persist
Former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dennis Amachree, has dismissed long-standing claims that former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, was poisoned, stating that official investigations indicated he died from a heart attack. Amachree made this revelation in Lagos during an interview on Wednesday while discussing his newly released book.
According to Amachree, security investigations conducted at the time of Abacha’s sudden death in Abuja on June 8, 1998 relied on the testimony of a woman who was reportedly with the late military ruler shortly before he died. He said her account—collected through extensive interrogation by DSS officers—remained consistent and did not support any allegations of assassination or poisoning. “The girl who was with him when he died was later brought to me for questioning. When she entered my office, the first thing she said was, ‘I did not kill him.’ She was very direct about it,” Amachree recounted.
General Sani Abacha’s death at age 54 has remained one of Nigeria’s most debated political mysteries, fuelling widespread speculation due to the absence of public autopsy results and secrecy surrounding the incident. Over the years, different versions circulated—including claims that he ate a poisoned apple supplied by foreign agents or political adversaries—but these have not been substantiated by any official findings.
Amachree insisted that all available evidence pointed towards a natural cause: “From everything she told me and from what I gathered during the investigation, I strongly believe it was a heart attack,” he said. He maintained that security agencies found no proof supporting theories of deliberate poisoning or conspiracy against the former leader.
Abacha ruled Nigeria from November 1993 until his death in June 1998. His tenure was marked by allegations of human rights abuses and corruption but also credited by some supporters for maintaining economic stability and boosting foreign reserves. The former DSS director’s comments add new perspective to ongoing debates but are unlikely to fully resolve public interest in one of Nigeria’s most contentious political deaths.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ondo Police Arrest Suspect After 18-Month-Old Beheaded in Idanre Farm Attack
Father of slain child urges Ondo State Government and security agencies to ensure justice as police confirm arrest
Father of slain child urges Ondo State Government and security agencies to ensure justice as police confirm arrest
An 18-month-old toddler was killed and beheaded by an unidentified assailant at Agoti farm settlement in Idanre Local Council Area of Ondo State, with the incident reported a few days ago. The attack, which also left the child’s mother injured, occurred when the suspect invaded the family’s residence within the farm community.
According to local accounts, the father of the victim, Bright Kalu—a peasant farmer from Abia State—was working on a separate farmland at the time of the incident. Upon returning, he discovered that his daughter had been abducted and later found dead with her head severed. The mother was reportedly attacked during the ordeal but survived with injuries.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents and heightened concerns about security in rural settlements across Ondo State. Cases of violent attacks targeting farming communities have been a persistent issue in parts of South-West Nigeria, prompting calls for enhanced security measures from stakeholders and local leaders.
Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspect linked to the gruesome killing. Police authorities stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack and whether others may be involved. Meanwhile, Bright Kalu has appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and relevant security agencies to ensure those responsible are brought to justice, urging human rights organisations to intervene on behalf of bereaved families like his.
The police assured residents that patrols would be increased around farm settlements in Idanre LGA while investigations continue. The state government is expected to meet with community leaders in coming days to address rising concerns about rural safety.
Nigeria News (Standard)
NDLEA Alerts on Rising Drug Shipments Through Motor Parks in Kwara, Lagos and Abuja
Kwara NDLEA Commander urges corporate bodies to join anti-drug efforts as traffickers exploit commercial buses and SUVs
Kwara NDLEA Commander urges corporate bodies to join anti-drug efforts as traffickers exploit commercial buses and SUVs
The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kwara State Command, has raised alarm over the increasing use of motor parks in Lagos, Oyo, Abuja, and other cities as major points for drug shipments into Kwara State. Commander Fatima Abiola Popoola made this disclosure on Tuesday in Ilorin during the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) stakeholder conference with the theme: “the world Drug problem: persisting issues, new challenges, innovative responses.”
Popoola stated that most illicit drug dealers operating in Kwara obtain their supplies from Lagos, Oyo, Abuja and other locations by using commercial bus operators. She explained that tracking these illegal shipments is often difficult because some drivers are allegedly financially induced and deliberately avoid security checkpoints. “Some of these drivers, after collecting money from traffickers, will go out of their way to dodge our checks,” Popoola said at the event.
According to the NDLEA commander, the situation has become more complex as some peddlers have started using tinted SUV vehicles to transport banned substances across state lines. She noted that the ongoing challenges underscore the need for a multi-sectoral response involving both public institutions and private sector partners.
Popoola commended the MTN Foundation for its support of anti-drug initiatives and called on other corporate organisations to emulate this commitment. “Unless more companies join hands with us like MTN Foundation is doing now, Nigeria may not come out of this problem,” she added.
The NDLEA’s warning comes as stakeholders at the conference discussed innovative ways to tackle substance abuse among Nigerian youths. The agency reiterated its commitment to clamp down on drug trafficking networks but stressed that community involvement and corporate participation remain key to lasting progress.
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/motor-parks-now-points-of-drug-shipments-ndlea/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Health Experts Recommend Bananas to Ease Menstrual Pain, Cite Research on Nutrient Benefits
Nutritionists say potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6 in bananas may help women manage period cramps and mood swings
Nutritionists say potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6 in bananas may help women manage period cramps and mood swings
Medical professionals in Lagos have advised women experiencing mild to moderate menstrual pain to consider adding bananas to their diet, following recent research highlighting the fruit’s beneficial nutrients. The recommendation was made on Monday after studies found that potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6 found in bananas could help ease common period symptoms.
According to experts, period pain—medically known as dysmenorrhea—affects a significant number of women in Nigeria, often interfering with their daily routines. While severe cases require medical intervention, nutritionists say natural remedies like bananas may provide relief for less intense cramps. “Bananas are rich in potassium and magnesium, which help relax uterine muscles and reduce the severity of painful contractions during menstruation,” said Dr. Adesuwa Oke, a consultant nutritionist based in Lagos.
Research indicates that vitamin B6 present in bananas also plays a role in regulating mood by supporting the production of serotonin—a neurotransmitter responsible for emotional stability. This is particularly relevant as hormonal changes during menstruation can trigger irritability and mood swings. Additionally, the soluble fibre in bananas helps regulate digestion, addressing complaints such as bloating and constipation that are common during periods.
Dr. Oke emphasised that while dietary changes can help manage symptoms, women experiencing severe or persistent menstrual pain should consult healthcare providers for further assessment. “Bananas are not a cure for all types of period pain but can be an effective part of a balanced diet during menstruation,” she added during a phone interview.
Nutritionists recommend practical ways to include bananas in meals—such as blending them into smoothies, pairing with oatmeal or consuming as snacks—to harness their health benefits throughout the menstrual cycle.
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