By Patrick Idowu

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), FCT chapter, has condemned the attack on a nurse at Wuse General Hospital by suspected “one-chance” criminals.

The nurse, who stayed after her shift to assist a colleague in the ICU, was allegedly beaten and left seriously wounded. She is receiving treatment.

The union said attacks on healthcare workers in the FCT are becoming frequent, with nurses now living in fear during early mornings and late evenings. It urged the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and security agencies to strengthen patrols around hospitals and vulnerable bus stops.

“No healthcare worker should risk their life simply for serving humanity,” the statement said. “Bus stops around hospitals have become death traps. We demand immediate and sustained action to protect all nurses.”

The attack follows earlier incidents, including the killing of nurses Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem and Princess Ochigbo in January, allegedly by one-chance gangs.

Analysts link the crimes to gaps in organised public transport, forcing reliance on unregistered taxis and private vehicles during off-peak hours.

The association had previously called on authorities to improve hospital security and provide safe transport for healthcare workers.

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The Federal Government has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to immediately suspend enforcement actions linked to the ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products, citing economic and national security concerns.

The directive, issued jointly by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), warned that continued enforcement without a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy could worsen unemployment and trigger avoidable security challenges.

In a statement by the SGF’s Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Terrence Kuanum, the government said the National Alcohol Policy has been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health under President Bola Tinubu’s directive, but NAFDAC must not seal factories or warehouses until the policy is fully operational.

The government said the ongoing “de facto banning” of sachet alcohol products was already disrupting employment, supply chains and informal distribution networks nationwide.

It added that any enforcement action carried out by NAFDAC without clearance from the OSGF would be considered invalid.

The directive followed a letter from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control dated November 13, 2025, referencing National Assembly resolutions cautioning against the ban.

The FG said it is reviewing legislative, public health and economic considerations and promised a final decision in due course.

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has refuted claims circulating on social media that it has banned the antibiotic Amoxicillin in Nigeria.

In a public notice posted on its official X handle on Monday, the agency described the report as false and misleading, stressing that there is no blanket or secret ban on the drug.

“NAFDAC has not banned Amoxicillin in Nigeria, either secretly or openly. As a responsible regulatory authority, the agency publicly notifies Nigerians of any regulatory actions through official channels,” it stated.

NAFDAC explained that it only issues targeted safety alerts, recalls and blacklists for specific substandard or affected batches of medicines, not entire drug categories.

It noted that such notices always include product details such as batch numbers, manufacturers and recommended actions.

The agency cited recent examples involving specific Amoxicillin products. In August 2025, it recalled Amoxivue 500mg capsules over low active pharmaceutical ingredient content.

In October 2025, it also issued alerts on substandard batches of Astamocil, Astamentin, Annmox and Jawamox suspensions.

NAFDAC urged the public and healthcare professionals to rely on verified information from its official channels to avoid misinformation.