Evening recap: FG approves Ebola stipend, Tope Alabi threatens lawsuit, other top stories

NCDC DG, Dr. Jide Idris. | Photo credit: Nigeria Health Watch

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s response to the confirmed Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory, including a N100,000 weekly payment for people placed in isolation or quarantine, is among the major stories making headlines.

Also in the news are gospel singer Tope Alabi’s threat of legal action over claims linking her to the death of gospel minister Toluwanisings, a freed Benue graduate’s account of how an AI-generated photograph allegedly influenced a N4m ransom demand, and the NCDC’s monitoring of 53 contacts linked to the Ebola case.

Meanwhile, the political futures of former Communications Minister Isa Ali Pantami, Ogun State PDP governorship candidate Oladipupo Adebutu and Kano politician Aminu Gwarzo remain uncertain following the expiration of INEC’s deadline for complaints over omitted candidates from its final list for the 2027 elections.

Read the top stories below:

Ebola: NCDC approves N100,000 weekly payment for contacts

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has approved an emergency payment of N100,000 per person weekly for people placed in isolation or quarantine following the confirmed Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory. NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said the payment was introduced to help contacts cope with feeding, accommodation and other expenses while undergoing monitoring.

Read here: https://punchng.com/breaking-ebola-ncdc-approves-n100000-weekly-payment-for-contacts/

Tope Alabi threatens legal action over Toluwanisings’ death claims

Gospel singer Tope Alabi has threatened legal action against a Canada-based pastor, Tayo Kumuyi, also known as Pastor Tayo Ministries, over allegations linking her to the death of gospel minister Toluwanisings and other ministers. Her lawyers demanded the removal of the publications, a retraction and an apology within 24 hours, warning that failure to comply could lead to court action.

Read here: https://punchng.com/tope-alabi-threatens-legal-action-over-toluwanisings-death-claims/

• Police arrest Delta school bus driver over minor’s kidnapping, assault
• [BREAKING] Ebola: NCDC approves N100,000 weekly payment for contacts
• Police arrest wanted suspect over robbery, kidnapping in Anambra

How AI-generated photo cost kidnap victim N4m ransom

A freed Benue State University graduate, Ibi Phillip, has recounted his nine-day ordeal after he and 11 other travellers were abducted in Edo State while travelling to an NYSC orientation camp in Akure. He revealed that one of the victims paid N4m in ransom after kidnappers believed an AI-generated photograph showing him dressed as a doctor meant he was a medical practitioner.

Read here: https://punchng.com/how-ai-generated-photo-cost-kidnap-victim-n4m-ransom-freed-benue-graduate/

NCDC monitoring 53 contacts over confirmed Ebola case

The NCDC has increased the number of primary contacts being monitored over Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola case to 53, including 44 people linked to the health facility where the patient was treated. The agency said it had also begun tracing people who attended to the patient at an emergency room she visited before the infection was confirmed.

Read here: https://punchng.com/ncdc-monitoring-53-contacts-over-confirmed-ebola-case/

2027: Pantami, Adebutu, Gwarzo’s fates uncertain

The political ambitions of former Communications Minister Isa Ali Pantami, Ogun State PDP governorship candidate Oladipupo Adebutu and Kano politician Aminu Gwarzo remain uncertain following the expiration of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s deadline for complaints over the omission of candidates from its final list for the 2027 elections. The affected parties say they met the relevant requirements and are seeking to have the omissions addressed.

Read here: https://punchng.com/2027-pantami-adebutu-gwarzos-fates-uncertain/