Three people reported killed and dozens wounded near aid site in Gaza, medics say

Israeli fire killed at least three Palestinians and wounded dozens of others near an aid distribution site operated by the U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, local health authorities said on Monday.

The Israeli military said it was aware of reports of casualties and the incident was being thoroughly looked into.

It said in a statement that troops operating overnight in Rafah, which is under full Israeli military control, in the southern Gaza Strip, had fired warning shots "to prevent several suspects approaching them", adding the incident took place about 1 km (0.6 miles) away from the aid distribution site.

The GHF, a private group sponsored by the United States and endorsed by Israel, said there had been no fatalities or injuries at its distribution site or the surrounding area.

Reuters could not independently verify what took place.

The reported incident was the latest in a series underscoring the volatile security situation that has complicated aid delivery to Gaza, following the easing last month of an almost three-month Israeli blockade.

On Sunday, Palestinian and international officials said at least 31 people were killed and dozens wounded near the same site, one of four operated by the GHF in Rafah.

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Monday he was appalled by reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza on Sunday, and called for an independent investigation.

The Israeli military denied firing at people gathering to collect aid, and the GHF said Sunday's distribution was carried out without incident, describing reports of deaths as fabricated by Hamas.

In a separate statement, the Israeli military said that in the past day its forces expanded ground operations in the Gaza Strip, killed gunmen, and dismantled weapons storage facilities and military infrastructure above and under the ground.

Meanwhile, the Gaza health ministry said Israeli strikes across the enclave had killed 51 people and wounded 500 others in the past 24 hours. Local health authorities said at least 16 of those were killed at a house in Jabalia, in northern Gaza, earlier on Monday.

RISK OF FAMINE

The GHF said Monday's deliveries raised the number of meals it has distributed since it began operations to nearly 6 million.

The United Nations has said most of Gaza's 2 million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid entering the strip.

The GHF launched its first distribution sites last week and said it would launch more.

Its aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the U.N. and humanitarian organisations, which say the GHF does not follow humanitarian principles.

The Palestinian NGOs Network urged a boycott of what it called the "U.S.-Israeli aid mechanism" in protest over the killings on Sunday.

At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, relatives of Hussam Wafi, a 37-year-old father-of-six, who was killed near the aid site on Sunday, arrived to pay their last respects before burial. Wafi's brother Ali said the victims were driven by hunger.

“The U.S. and Israel, what do they tell us? Go and get your food and water, and the aid. When the aid arrives, they hit us. Is this fair?" Wafi told Reuters.

"They were going peacefully, they were killed. They went to get food and water for their children, to get a can of hummus or fava beans, a box or whatever is available, and they got shot, they died,” Wafi's neighbour, Abu Youssef, told Reuters.

CEASEFIRE TALKS TO RESUME

Israel and Hamas, meanwhile, traded blame for the faltering of a new Arab and U.S. mediation bid to secure a temporary ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails.

On Monday, a Palestinian official close to the mediation effort said Hamas leaders were in constant contact with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo and Doha.

Israel says it accepts a temporary truce to release hostages, but that war can only end once Hamas is driven out of Gaza.

Israel began its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies, and saw 251 taken as hostages into Gaza.

Israel's campaign has devastated much of Gaza, killing more than 54,000 Palestinians and destroying most buildings. Much of the population now lives in shelters in makeshift camps.

Reuters

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Russian and Ukrainian chief negotiators held secret private meeting

Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Russia’s diplomatic delegation at the Istanbul talks, held a private bilateral meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, which played an “important role” in preparing the general session of negotiations on Monday.

The second round of direct talks between Moscow and Kiev concluded on Monday after more than an hour. Prior to the formal session, Medinsky and Umerov held an unannounced meeting that helped facilitate the broader negotiations.

“There was a meeting. It played an important role in the preparation of the general session,”Medinsky told reporters, without offering further details. A source who requested anonymity told RT that the private conversation lasted around two and a half hours.

During the talks in Istanbul, both sides exchanged memorandums outlining their respective proposals for resolving the conflict. Kiev’s delegation took Russia’s draft document for review and is expected to issue a formal response at a later date, Medinsky said following the session.

The two sides also agreed to their largest prisoner-of-war exchange to date, according to Medinsky. The swap will involve all sick and severely wounded POWs, as well as all prisoners under the age of 25, and “will include at least 1,000 people from each side, possibly more,”the presidential aide noted.

In addition, Moscow will unilaterally return the remains of 6,000 Ukrainian service members to Kiev next week to allow for a proper “Christian burial,” he added. Russia has also proposed a multi-day ceasefire in several frontline areas to facilitate the recovery of fallen soldiers’ bodies and prevent potential disease outbreaks as temperatures rise with the onset of summer.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Ukrainian strikes cut power to Russian-held areas, officials say

Ukrainian shelling and drone attacks triggered power cuts over swathes of Russian-controlled territory in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in the south of Ukraine, Russia-installed officials said early on Tuesday.

Officials said there was no effect on operations at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station - Europe's largest nuclear facility which was seized by Russia in the weeks after Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Russian officials running the plant said radiation levels were normal at the facility, which operates in shutdown mode and produces no power at the moment.

Russia-installed governors in the two regions said the Ukrainian attacks prompted authorities to introduce emergency measures and switch key sites to reserve power sources.

Power was knocked out to all parts of Zaporizhzhia under Russian control, Russia-installed Governor Yevgeny Belitsky wrote on Telegram.

"As a result of shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, high-voltage equipment was damaged in the northwestern part of the Zaporizhzhia region," Belitsky wrote.

"There is no electricity throughout the region. The Energy Ministry of Zaporizhzhia region has been instructed to develop reserve sources of power. Health care sites have been transferred to reserve power sources."

In adjacent Kherson region, farther west, Russia-appointed Governor Vladimir Saldo said debris from fallen drones had damaged two substations, knocking out power to more than 100,000 residents of 150 towns and villages in Russian-held areas. Emergency crews working to restore power quickly, he said.

For many long months in the winter, it was Ukrainian towns and villages that endured repeated electricity cuts as Russian attacks focused strikes on generating capacity.

Each side has repeatedly accused the other of launching attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and running the risk of a nuclear accident.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said last week in response to a Ukrainian complaint that it saw no sign that Russia was preparing to restart the Zaporizhzhia plant and connect it to the Russian grid.

The IAEA has stationed monitors permanently at Zaporizhzhia and Ukraine's other nuclear power stations.

As President Bola Tinubu marks his second year in office—having assumed power in 2023—his anniversary speech paints a picture of progress and optimism. However, a critical examination of his administration’s policies and their impact on Nigerians reveals a stark contrast between his words and the daily realities of 2025.

Economic Woes

The President’s address highlighted accomplishments such as a narrowed fiscal deficit, increased revenue generation, and an improved tax-to-GDP ratio. Yet these gains have failed to translate into better living standards for ordinary Nigerians.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), inflation stood at 28.5% in January 2025, with food inflation climbing to 32.1%. This has severely eroded purchasing power, making it difficult for many Nigerians to afford basic necessities.

The Naira has also depreciated significantly—by over 60% against the US dollar since early 2023. As of February 2025, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) pegged the official exchange rate at ₦800 to the dollar, while parallel market rates were notably higher. This gap has made access to foreign exchange difficult for businesses, leading to shortages of imported machinery and exacerbating inflationary pressures.

Poverty and Insecurity

Despite the President’s claims of progress, poverty and insecurity remain widespread. The World Bank projects that 42% of Nigerians—over 92 million people—will live in poverty in 2025. This grim reality starkly contrasts with the administration’s narrative of economic progress.

Security has also deteriorated. Banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism continue to plague large parts of the country. According to the Global Terrorism Index, Nigeria ranked 12th out of 163 countries in 2024 in terms of terrorist impact. Kidnappings have surged, leaving many citizens in constant fear.

When the Tinubu administration assumed office on May 29, 2023, it pledged to tackle insecurity swiftly. However, by September 2024, a report by Beacon Consulting documented a disturbing rise in violence: 13,346 people killed and 9,207 abducted.

Despite allocating a staggering ₦6.11 trillion in the 2025 budget to address insecurity, results have been minimal. The situation has worsened, especially in Plateau and Benue states, which remain among the hardest hit. Armed groups operate with impunity, and the military—once a symbol of national strength—now struggles to contain the crisis. Alarming reports suggest sabotage from within, with allegations of insurgents acquiring weapons from military sources.

At this point, for the government to give itself high marks is not only insensitive—it’s dangerous. Many citizens have abandoned their farms, forests lie deserted, and daily survival is uncertain. A government that cannot be honest with itself has already failed its first test—and cannot hope to find meaningful solutions.

Disconnection from Reality

The President’s speech reflects a troubling disconnect from the lived experiences of ordinary Nigerians. The narrative of progress and achievement does not align with the widespread struggle for food, healthcare, and education. The government’s repeated self-appraisal—claiming success while ignoring widespread hardship—underscores this disconnect.

Meanwhile, actions by the administration seem more focused on consolidating power than serving the people. The coercion of political figures and the destabilization of opposition parties undermine democratic institutions and erode public trust.

Insincere Promises

While the President promises a brighter future, the evidence on the ground suggests otherwise. Policy choices so far have deepened poverty, and survival has become a daily challenge for many Nigerians. A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report shows a decline in Nigeria’s Human Development Index (HDI), a key measure of national well-being.

How can a family of five survive when a bag of rice costs ₦65,000, while their combined income is meager? The President’s talk of growth sounds hollow to the millions who can’t afford three meals a day and must trek long distances to work.

The NBS reports Nigeria’s unemployment rate at 35% in Q4 2024, leaving many without access to decent work or a pathway out of poverty.

A Call to Action

Now is the time for bold, concrete actions—not just lofty promises. The President’s speech should serve not only as a reflection but as a call to tangible reform.

To address the economic crisis, the government must prioritize policies that encourage economic diversification, foster a business-friendly environment, and invest in human capital. This includes promoting agriculture to boost food security, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through access to finance and training, and reforming regulatory frameworks to attract investment.

To tackle insecurity, the government should focus on strengthening security institutions through better training, equipment, and morale, while improving intelligence capabilities. Root causes such as poverty, unemployment, and social inequality must also be addressed.

Conclusion

President Tinubu’s second-year speech may have sounded hopeful—but Nigerians are living a different story. The gap between policy rhetoric and reality is wide and painful. Nigerians are enduring hardship, economic distress, and growing insecurity. It is time for leadership to rise to the moment—not with words, but with action. Anything less is a betrayal of the trust Nigerians placed in this government.

** Dayo DaSilva, a media professional and newspaper publisher, wrote from Abeokuta, Ogun State.

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We have taken note of recent public statements made by Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), who was removed from office. In her comments, she accused BUA Group and our Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, of breaching a concession agreement and distorting facts. These claims were made in response to our Chairman’s interview and article, “Two Years of President Tinubu: A Business Perspective” (watch at https://bit.ly/pbatbua), which celebrated Nigeria’s reform trajectory and referenced prior instances of arbitrary disruptions to business operations, without naming anyone – a situation that has now been curtailed by President Tinubu’s no-nonsense approach to bringing sanity and stability to the business environment in Nigeria.

Ordinarily, we would not engage, but the distortions in her response necessitate this factual clarification, especially as they relate to her actions during her tenure as MD of the NPA.

THE CONTRACT AND WHAT SHE OMITTED

BUA entered into a valid long lease agreement in 2006 with the NPA to rehabilitate and operate Terminal B at Rivers Port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Long before Ms. Usman’s appointment, BUA had begun formal engagement with the NPA to address outstanding remedial works and infrastructural deficiencies. These discussions were near conclusion when she assumed office.

Rather than build on that process, Ms. Usman ignored BUA’s requests and obligations under the agreement. In 2016, BUA wrote to the NPA under Article 8.4 of the lease, mandating concessionaires to report environmental and safety concerns and to seek approval for remedial works. Rather than act constructively, Ms. Usman used that letter as a pretext to issue a termination notice and summarily shut down the terminal, without providing any prior warning, consultation, or invoking the dispute resolution clause.

She forgot or failed to disclose in her response that the NPA, under her leadership, was itself in material breach of core obligations including failing to hand over critical portions of the port, leaving derelict iron ore on the berths, failing to dredge or repair quay walls, and neglecting to provide mandatory security. These lapses were significant impediments to BUA’s operations and, as a result, led to disputes between the parties.

ILLEGALITY, CONTEMPT, AND DISREGARD FOR CONTRACTUAL MECHANISMS

After the unlawful termination, BUA approached the Federal High Court, which promptly granted an injunction restraining the NPA from proceeding with termination. The NPA itself then referred the dispute to arbitration, as stipulated in Section 17.3 of the agreement, which clearly states:

“Any dispute, controversy or claim… shall be exclusively and finally settled pursuant to the dispute resolution process prescribed in this Article.”

Despite this, Ms. Usman, against the advice of her agency, unilaterally decommissioned the berths, thereby violating both the agreement and a court injunction. To be clear, the concession agreement granted her no such power to decommission. If she believes otherwise, we invite her to publicly cite the specific clause that authorizes this action.

To further compound the illegality, BUA—after providing the guarantees and indemnities requested by the NPA—was permitted to resume operations briefly. Merely three weeks later, the terminal was again shut down, this time by Ms. Usman’s instruction. This left no doubt that her actions were motivated not by due process, but by personal animosity and abuse of office.

BUA subsequently filed contempt proceedings and was looking at estimated losses in excess of $10 million. These proceedings were only withdrawn out of respect for national interest and following the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians within and outside the government.

PRESIDENT BUHARI WAS NOT MISINFORMED—HE ACTED ON FACTS AND LAW

Ms. Usman’s claim that former President Muhammadu Buhari was “misinformed” when he reversed her actions is false, disrespectful, and disingenuous.

Following a meeting that our Chairman had the privilege of holding with Buhari in 2018, he presented the matter to the President, who then directed the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to conduct a thorough legal review and investigate the situation. The AGF invited all parties, including Ms. Usman, to several meetings. We never saw her at any of them. Nevertheless, the AGF proceeded to undertake a comprehensive review of the contract, the litigation, the arbitration clause, and all correspondence and actions by BUA and NPA. The legal advice (attached herewith) found that the termination was unlawful, the decommissioning was without any legal basis, and that BUA’s rights should be reinstated. It was on this basis that Buhari ordered the reversal of her unlawful actions. His intervention preserved the sanctity of the contract, saved over 4,000 jobs, and BUA’s $500 million integrated investment cluster involving flour, pasta, and sugar processing facilities which were all dependent on terminal access. For this, we remain deeply grateful to former President Buhari.

As our Chairman said in his interview, imagine if he wasn’t privileged to have access. Nonetheless, this culture of impunity has been significantly curtailed under President Tinubu’s leadership, as many are aware they could be dismissed or imprisoned if they abuse their positions.

POST-HADIZA: DUE PROCESS RESTORED, INVESTMENT RESUMED

Following Ms. Usman’s removal from office, the NPA, under new leadership, implemented the AGF’s position. In 2022, BUA was granted formal approval to resume reconstruction works. The contract was awarded to TREVI, and BUA has since invested over $65 million—entirely self-funded and with no recourse to public funds or subsidies. Work is ongoing and completion is expected in the first quarter of 2026.

THE REAL DANGER: INVESTOR CONFIDENCE AND RULE OF LAW

We must state clearly that this matter goes beyond BUA. Had Ms. Usman’s actions been allowed to stand, it would have sent a disastrous signal that contracts in Nigeria are worthless, court orders are optional, and public institutions or individuals can act unilaterally without consequence. We must never return to that era. Nigeria’s reform success today is rooted in respecting contracts, due process, and investor confidence—principles being restored under President Tinubu’s administration, under which BUA has committed over $1 billion in new investments across energy, food processing, manufacturing, infrastructure and social interventions.

We wish to emphasise that Ms. Usman is entitled to her opinions, irrespective of how distorted they may be. However, she is not entitled to distort the facts or rewrite history. We do not seek a public spat and would like her to concentrate on fulfilling her duties in her new role under the strong leadership of President Tinubu. We therefore simply restate the facts that Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman had no authority to decommission Terminal B unilaterally. She also acted in defiance of a court injunction and contractual procedure and her actions caused significant economic loss of over USD10 million, reputational risk to BUA, and investor concern for Nigeria.

Our core message remains the same: public office should be viewed as a position of trust rather than a platform for personal biases. Those granted public power need to resist the temptation to let prejudice, ego, and vendetta influence their actions.

If Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman believes she acted lawfully, we challenge her to cite the specific clause or clauses that guided her unlawful actions. If not, let the facts remain where they belong — in the public record.

In its latest statement, entitled: “Flouting Contractual Obligations, Defying Court Orders and Disregarding Arbitration: The Facts Behind Hadiza Bala Usman’s Abuse of Office as NPA MD,” the BUA Group accused the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) of disobeying court orders and violating the terms of the agreement with the company. Again, this statement peddles half-truths and outright falsehoods.

The first point to note is that contrary to the company Chairman’s claim in his article that “One day, we woke up to a letter stating that the concession had been revoked…there was no warning, no issue, no conflict,” Ms Bala Usman has provided evidence that the BUA received a series of default notices and warnings before the notice of termination was served on the company. This clearly shows that the Chairman lied when he said, “…There is no issue, no warning and no conflict.”

Instead of apologising to the public and to Ms Usman for the false statement he made, his organisation brought forth another statement brandishing a new set of lies and misleading information regarding their breach of contractual obligation to the NPA.

BUA’s latest statement claimed that the NPA failed in its obligation but the Authority was not required to rebuild the berths. On the contrary, this was part of the concessionaires’ obligations.

It is also curious that the company’s claim to lack security did not prevent it and all other concessionaires from making full commercial use of the facility at any time.

The claim that the Authority disobeyed the order of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, which granted an injunction to BUA, is also untrue!

The NPA obeyed the court order and allowed BUA access and continued use of the facility from January 2018, when BUA secured the injunction, until June 2019, when it was decommissioned due to safety concerns raised by the company itself.

In the 18 months between January 2018, when the company secured the court injunction and June 2019, BUA berthed 117 vessels comprising liquid and dry bulk cargos. This data refutes the claim that the NPA flouted court orders.

The total number of vessels BUA berthed also indicates that it made full commercial use of the terminal despite the poor quay walls and low draft.

However, on 16 May 2019, BUA Ports and Terminals Limited wrote to the NPA informing it that the “jetty is in a state of total dilapidation and urgent need of repair or reconstruction…. The company further stated in the letter that “our engineers have advised us that the jetty is liable to collapse at any moment…”

Upon receiving this letter, the former Managing Director sought the advice of the Engineering Department of the NPA.

The Department advised her office that the situation described in BUA’s letter raised serious safety concerns. It went further to recommend that the Authority should decommission the jetty pending the submission and approval of the reconstruction details. We took this action to prevent accidents, especially since any incident would affect the adjoining quays and facilities of other concessionaires.

The NPA has a duty to ensure the safety of lives and properties on its facilities, and this was what it did with the decommissioning of the jetty based on the professional advice of the Engineering Department.

Contrary to BUA’s claim that the former MD, “against the advice of her agency, unilaterally decommissioned the berths…,” at no point did the management take any decision without the advice of the relevant department. For the records, even the termination notice issued to the company emanated from recommendations of the Legal Department of the NPA.

Ms Bala Usman also reiterates that BUA’s access to former President Muhammadu Buhari and his subsequent intervention was based on the manipulation of facts and misinformation. How do you factually justify the continued refusal to comply with a contractual obligation which was due to commence in 90 days for 10 years?

It is also false that the NPA did not attend the mediation meetings called by the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. Staffers of the Legal Department of the Authority represented the Authority at the meeting.

It is interesting to note that BUA states with pride that it commenced a contractual obligation it was required to fulfil in 2006, in 2022, which is 16 years after the obligation was due!

For the records, the NPA diligently pursued the arbitration process (which it initiated despite the delay by BUA) with BUA at every material time. It is, therefore, unfortunate that the company would accuse this same management of disregarding the process.

The foregoing facts impugn BUA’s serial attempts to mislead the public and present itself as a victim in the media, while in reality, it operates with the air of a conglomerate that considers itself above the laws of the land.

Ms Hadiza Bala Usman’s tenure as managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) was driven solely by a commitment to Nigeria’s best interests. Guided by this principle, she insisted on the strict enforcement of all contractual agreements — standards to which she and her management team held the NPA itself accountable.

The actions of an organisation that blatantly refused to honour its obligations while exploiting access to higher authorities reflect the impunity with which many Big Companies operate in Nigeria. Such conduct not only undermines the rule of law but also reeks of vindictiveness — an attempt to smear the reputation of individuals who serve the nation with integrity and diligence.

** Niran Adedokun is the media and communications adviser to Ms Hadiza Bala Usman.

Growing up, kids always called me “scary.” Not because I was intimidating, but because I was too anxious to do a lot of things they did, especially hard things. I admit, it’s a big reason why I still don’t know how to swim at the age of 25.
I still feel terrible about dropping my hobby of playing the viola because learning sheet music was difficult. Especially because embracing challenges in life can make you successful and may be what ultimately fulfills you most, according to Lisa Su, CEO of $190 billion chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices.
The best piece of career advice she ever received was to “run towards the hardest problems,” Su, 55, said during a commencement speech at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on May 10. “That’s where you find the biggest opportunities, where you learn the most, where you set yourself apart, and most importantly, where you grow.”
The advice, which came from IBM executive John Kelly, is what drew her to AMD, Su said. “When I joined, it was clear the company had a mixed track record. But I saw the potential, the people, the vision and the opportunity to help lead a company that mattered. ... It was actually my dream job.”
“Hard problems stretch you. They demand focus, creativity and determination. ... They give you confidence, they give you growth and they give you impact,” she added. “When you choose the hardest challenges, you choose the fastest path to growth and the greatest chance to make a difference.”
Su doesn’t advocate pursuing something solely because it’s hard. Instead, look for opportunities to learn new skills that interest you and allow you to “make an impact,” she said.
I had a mentor give me similar advice in college and in my early career. It’s why I changed my major at the end of my junior year, even though graduating on time while taking all my necessary course work would be difficult. (I did it, though!) 
It’s why I moved across the country by myself to chase my journalism dreams — and why I raised my hand to host a TV show last year though I had no hosting experience. (I did that too! Stream CNBC’s “Millennial Money” on Peacock!)
Some of the most rewarding accomplishments in my life have come from embracing challenges and doing the hard things. I don’t think I’d be nearly as successful had I not pushed past my risk-averse nature.

Your turn: What hard problem will you take on?

CNBC

A highly contagious new COVID-19 strain, NB.1.8.1, which has triggered a surge in hospitalizations in China and is rapidly spreading across multiple continents, has been detected in the United States, exposing Nigeria's dangerous lack of preparedness as federal health authorities remain conspicuously silent on protective measures.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the variant was first detected in America between late March and early April 2025 through airport surveillance testing among international travelers arriving in major cities including New York and Washington.

"CDC is aware of reported cases of COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 in China and is in regular contact with international partners," a CDC spokesperson stated, highlighting the coordinated international response that Nigeria appears to be missing.

While the CDC acknowledges limited reported cases prevent full national estimates, experts have warned that NB.1.8.1 spreads significantly faster than other recent virus strains, raising urgent questions about Nigeria's readiness to detect and contain potential outbreaks.

Alarming Global Spread

NB.1.8.1 is a subvariant of Omicron JN.1 and is considered highly infectious. The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated it a "variant under monitoring" due to its increasing global prevalence and potential to evade immunity from previous infections or vaccinations.

Recent WHO data reveals the variant accounted for 10.7 percent of sequenced COVID-19 cases globally between April 21-27, a dramatic increase from just 2.5 percent the previous month—a surge that should alarm any responsible health system.

While early findings suggest the variant doesn't cause more severe illness than others, health authorities worldwide are intensifying monitoring efforts. Reported symptoms include sore throat, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, nasal congestion, and gastrointestinal issues in some cases.

Amy Edwards, a pediatric infectious disease expert at Case Western Reserve University, told CBS News there is laboratory evidence that this variant binds more tightly to human cells, making transmission easier.

Edwards noted that although the variant doesn't appear more dangerous regarding severity, "what they're seeing in China, Hong Kong and some other areas where this variant has surged is an increase in hospitalizations"—a warning that should prompt immediate Nigerian action.

International Detection and Response

Beyond China and the US, NB.1.8.1 has been detected in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, France, Spain, and the Netherlands, demonstrating the variant's rapid global spread.

In Australia, genomic sequencing showed the variant now accounts for over 40 percent of COVID-19 cases in Victoria and has become the dominant strain in wastewater samples in Perth.

These developments have prompted renewed surveillance efforts across multiple countries. South Korean officials announced Friday that their government is closely monitoring COVID-19 cases in China and Hong Kong, showcasing the proactive approach Nigeria lacks.

Despite the surge, WHO stated that NB.1.8.1 is not currently considered a greater public health risk than previously circulating variants. However, its rapid transmission ability remains a significant concern that demands immediate attention.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in late 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has continued evolving, producing multiple variants including the original strain, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron, each with different severity levels, transmissibility, and vaccine resistance.

NB.1.8.1 represents the latest evolution from the Omicron lineage, which first appeared in late 2021 and became globally dominant due to its rapid spread capability.

Nigeria's Dangerous Silence

Most alarmingly, Nigerian health authorities have issued no formal guidelines or updates concerning NB.1.8.1 as of this report.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has not publicly acknowledged the variant's existence or provided guidance on travel protocols, testing procedures, or potential local surveillance measures—a shocking abdication of responsibility.

The NCDC's silence becomes even more concerning given that the agency has been providing fewer COVID-19 updates since global cases and deaths declined, suggesting a dangerous complacency that could leave millions of Nigerians vulnerable.

This lack of preparation and communication represents a critical failure in protecting Nigerian citizens against a variant already spreading rapidly across multiple continents and triggering increased hospitalizations wherever it appears.

With international travelers constantly arriving in Nigeria's major cities, the absence of enhanced surveillance, testing protocols, or public health advisories leaves the country dangerously exposed to another potential COVID-19 surge.

Nigeria witnessed two separate but deadly attacks over the weekend, underscoring the persistent insecurity plaguing the nation’s roads and rural communities.

In Borno State, at least nine passengers were killed on Saturday by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Mairari village, Guzamala Local Government Area. The explosives detonated at a local bus stop, injuring several others who were waiting to board commercial vehicles. The injured victims were rushed to hospitals in Monguno and Maiduguri for treatment.

Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, confirmed the incident and condemned the attack as “inhumane.” He appealed to the Nigerian military to intensify operations and reclaim Guzamala LGA, which remains largely under Boko Haram control. Lawan lamented the repeated displacement of residents from communities like Gudumbali and Mairari, which have faced continued insurgent violence despite previous resettlement efforts.

“Unfortunately, some terrorists who have been monitoring the movement of displaced farmers planted IEDs at the local bus stop. This tragedy has left families devastated,” he said, urging the newly deployed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, to prioritize reclaiming Guzamala.

Meanwhile, in Benue State, nine people, including the driver of a state-owned transport bus, were abducted Saturday evening by armed men along the Owukpa–Orokam road in Ogbadibo LGA. The bus was returning from Orba market in Enugu State when it was ambushed around 7 p.m. Gunmen opened fire, injuring the driver and a passenger, and caused the vehicle to veer off the road. The attackers then kidnapped the remaining passengers.

Grace Ogwuche, a resident who witnessed the incident, said one of the wounded passengers was abandoned at the scene due to heavy bleeding and is now receiving intensive care at St. Mary’s Hospital in Okpoga, Okpokwu LGA.

Local vigilante leader Amos Agada confirmed the abduction and noted that no contact had yet been made by the kidnappers. He said efforts were underway to locate and rescue the victims.

These incidents highlight the ongoing threats posed by both insurgency in the North-East and armed criminal gangs in the North-Central, raising fresh concerns over the safety of public transportation and rural communities in Nigeria.