British scientists have identified a gene that doubles the risk of dying from Covid-19, providing new insights into why some people are more susceptible to the disease than others, while opening up possibilities for targeted medicine.

Around 60% of people with South Asian ancestry carry the high-risk gene, researchers at Oxford University said on Friday, adding the discovery partly explains the high number of deaths seen in some British communities, and the effect of Covid-19 in the Indian subcontinent.

The scientists found that the increased risk is not because of a difference in genetic coding of the proteins, but because of differences in the DNA that makes a kind of "switch" to turn a gene on.

That genetic signal is likely to affect cells in the lung, while a higher risk version of the identified gene, called LZTFL1, possibly prevents the cells lining airways and the lungs from responding to the virus properly.

However, the higher risk version gene does not affect the body’s immune system that makes antibodies to fight off infections, researchers said, adding that those people carrying this version of the gene should respond normally to vaccines.

“(The study) shows that the way in which the lung responds to the infection is critical. This is important because most treatments have focussed on changing the way in which the immune system reacts to the virus,” said James Davies, co-lead of the study.

The findings were published in the Nature Genetics journal.

Reuters

There was pandemonium on Command Road, Meiran, Lagos State, as a clash between men of the state police command and tricycle operators in the area left no fewer than three persons dead.

Trouble started when a yet-to-be-identified traffic warden allegedly stabbed a tricycle operator, identified only as Eleyele, to death for refusing his demand for N100.

Angered by the development, the victim’s colleagues ran after the policeman, who fled the scene.

After the cop escaped, the protesting crowd carried the victim’s remains to the front of the Meiran Police Division, where it was deposited.

The tricycle operators were said to be protesting the death when they attacked the police station with bottles and stones.

The mob reportedly attempted to set the police station ablaze, but the policemen allegedly dispersed them with bullets and tear gas canisters.

A resident, who gave his name only as Yusuf, said the traffic policeman stabbed the victim in the chest, adding that the attack was unprovoked.

He said, “The incident happened around 9am. The tricyclist was going to a destination when the traffic policeman stopped him and demanded N100. He told the policeman that he just started work and did not have the money. We don’t know if they had an argument, but the policeman suddenly brought out a knife and stabbed the operator in the chest. The man died on the spot.

“Immediately, we attempted to apprehend the policeman, but it was the same knife he used in attacking us till he escaped.

“So, we carried the victim’s corpse to the police station, but the policemen fired bullets and tear gas at us.

“Two months ago, a tricycle operator was killed, but we will not accept this one. The police have arrested a lot of us protesting Eleyele’s death. They put some of the arrested victims in Black Maria and patrol vehicles. The tricycle leader in our area, known as Istijaba, intervened and told us to settle the matter and we agreed. But the police suddenly opened fire on us again.”

Another eyewitness, who identified himself only as Segun, said a roadside vulcaniser was hit by a stray bullet.

He said, “The vulcaniser should be about 17 years old; it was when the policemen were trying to disperse us that he was killed by a stray bullet. The bullet hit him in the back and all his intestines came out of his stomach.

“The boy’s mother is blind, and two months ago, she lost one of her children. Now, her son is dead again. We also took his corpse to the Meiran Police Station, but the police kept firing tear gas and live bullets at us and other victims suffered bullet wounds. In all, three people were killed and some others are in hospitals getting treatment.”

Our correspondent observed as the police fired tear gas at the mob, who were armed with bottles and stones.

The mob, while protesting the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the victims, paralysed business activities in the area.

Motorists, motorcyclists and tricyclists were prevented from operating in the area.

Bonfires were also set on the Command Road, as broken bottles littered some sections of the expressway.

Residents and business owners in the area were seen running helter-skelter to escape being caught in the unrest that enveloped the community.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, said, “The Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has dispatched adequate police patrol teams to maintain law and order there. No cause for alarm.”

Punch

Kingsley Kanu, younger brother of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, yesterday, alleged that the defence filed by Government of Kenya to his earlier suit in the country on behalf of his brother, has confirmed that Kanu’s rendition did not follow the extradition proceedings.

Following the IPOB leader’s extraordinary rendition in June this year, the Kenyan Government had publicly issued series of statements, denying its complicity in the illegal act.

According to Kanu, Kenya in its defense filed in Court on November 2, not only persisted in its denials, but “it went further to confirm that my brother was denied the benefit of the due process of extradition in Kenya or even a lawful arrest.

“In particular, the defense the Kenyan Government filed in court stated in major part “That there are no extradition proceedings to justify that the Government of Kenya is responsible for the subject’s extradition.”

It further stated: “That there is no OB record from any of the Police station within the Country to indicate that the subject in issue was lawfully arrested and detained for purposes of commencing extradition proceedings.”

He emphasized that the above admissions has officially confirmed their long-held position that Nnamdi Kanu’s transfer from Kenya to Nigeria was unlawful, that is not lawful as was claimed by the Nigerian government.

“This latest revelation, officially made in open Court by Kenya, further solidifies our abiding position that the Nigerian Government cannot benefit from its own wrong by subjecting my brother to trial.

“As the next hearing date unfolds to 7th December 2021, more legal processes will be in view. Our immediate goal is to secure the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu from detention,” he stated.

Sun

Lauretta Fagbohun, Ogun

The chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area, Wale Adedayo on Thursday flawed the demolition of structures and enclaves erected in forest reserves in the Council area by the Ministry of Forestry headed by Tunji Akinosi, describing the exercise as "arson and destructions" against his people.

Nigerian Newstrack learnt that the state government had  commenced what it called, the demolition of “illegal structures and enclaves” erected in its forest reserves.

While Akinosi insisted that the demolition was meant to remove illegal shanties and enclaves in the forest reserves, Adedayo described the exercise as “arson and destructions” by the state government.

Akinosi explained that  the demolition started last week in Area J1 Forest Reserve and that similar exercise was also carried out in Area J3 both in Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state.

He said the exercise would be continuous, stressing that it was aimed at ridding the forest reserves of illegal occupants and loggers, as it was not peculiar to Ijebu East J3 alone.

In his words, he said “we were at J1 reserve on Thursday last week and it will be continuous as the government is desirous of cleaning up all our reserves.”  

But Adedayo faulted the exercise saying, “Government has schools in these so-called shanties. We went there to campaign for votes in the last election. They pay land rent to the ministry. And, those shanties house majority of our cocoa farmers. It’s just giving them a bad name to nail them".

"We confirmed the ministry was at work, and we felt such a level of horrendous destruction of properties should not happen. We were not informed. And, we are being besieged by these people right now, for things we were never part of.”

“We cannot continue like this in Ijebu East Local Government. These are the poorest of the poor being dehumanised by destroying their farms and houses. Great Awo will never allow some of us to rest if we allow this to continue.” 

On his Facebook page, the Chairman condemned those behind the demolition, raining curses on them.

The Chairman revealed that “arson and other destructions have been happening in J3, near Ogbere, since four days ago.”

Sharing photos of structures demolished, Adedayo added in Yoruba language that, “Sugbon, ki awon eeyan wa pada sile. Omo Oba kankan ko gbodo ja ogun bi eru. Isese ni ki e pada si o! Ti won o ba pada, e je ki a be awon aye lowe won. “Ki Omo won saisi. Ki awon paapa beere si ri irikuri. Ile ni ki e pada si o! E je ki a pada so odo awon Baba wa! Ile ya o!!!

Meaning, “But, let our people go back home. A prince doesn’t fight like a slave. Go back to tradition. If they don’t return, let’s seek spiritual intervention. May their children die. May they themselves begin to see bad things. Go back home. Let’s return to our fathers. It’s time to go home.”

Reacting, Hon. Akinosi described Adedayo’s comment as dramatic, saying “This is a drama.”

He asked the local government boss to contact the ministry if he has any question or needs any clarification.

Lauretta Fagbohun, Ogun

Miners and dredgers operating in Ogun State, have been cautioned to be responsible in their activities to avert incidences of flood and other dangers usually caused by gully erosion.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment , Ola Oresanya who gave this warning during a visit to gully erosion sites in Sango-Ota in Ado Odo local government area of the state, said miners and dredgers who engage in arbitrary and irresponsible activities would now face sanctions.

According to him, the state government has found out that a lot of irresponsible extractions have been done in several parts of the state especially in the southern part which has sedimentary basins thus leading to gully erosion.

"Gully erosion will continue if we continue to have irresponsible mining and dredging.The state government will no longer tolerate it, whether they are lincensed by the federal government or not since mining and dredging are on the exlusive list.Ours is to protect the lives and property of our people in Ogun State and make sure our people are not expose to danger through irresponsible mining"

"They cannot extract almost at vertical strip and have people's houses falling into gouge.We will not tolerate it" Oresanya warned.

He therefore directed the miners and the dredgers to do Environmental Impact Assessment before operations and register with the Ministry of Environment for proper monitoring of their activities.

The Special Adviser also directed them to have dust-control devices-especially for those sculping seriously and maintain the roads they destroy while they operate adding that the cost of restoring the degradation they do to the environment is more than the money they pay to the federal government for their licenses.

While stating that the federal government did not give them lincenses to destroy the state, Oresanya said the state government is ready to work with the central government to ensure total compliance with mining standards and ensure strict adherence to environmental regulations and standards.

..33 males, 3 females brought out dead from the rubbles after over 72 hours

After over 72 hours under the rubble of the collapsed 21-storey building in Lagos, rescue workers have finally exhumed the body of the developer, Femi Osibona.

The highrise building was reportedly owned and constructed by the late Osibona’s company Fourscore Heights Limited.

Nigerian Newstrack confirmed from sources at the site that Osibona’s body was exhumed this evening and taken to a morgue in Yaba.

Some people are still believed to be trapped in the rubble, including a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ola Ogunfuwa, and 22 of his workers.

The pastor, who is in charge of the Living Water Parish in Ibafo, Ogun State, was allegedly working as a contractor on the project but has not been heard from or been identified among those rescued or brought out dead.

The South-West Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, today confirmed that 33 males and three females have been brought out dead from the rubble.

Farinloye added that nine people which included one female and eight males were rescued alive.

Meanwhile, a vehicle belonging to one of the trapped victims was removed from the scene on Thursday evening by rescue team.

The details of the vehicle that was removed from the scene is YAB655AZ, Toyota Highlander, dark colour.

The owner of the vehicle was said to be one of the sub contractors who owned an aluminium fabrication company working on the site. He was said to have come to the building site with some of his workers.

Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) says the country sells electricity to neighbouring countries for strategic reasons.

Nnaemeka Ewelukwa, managing director, NBET, spoke on Tuesday when he appeared before the house of representatives committee on finance.

Ewelukwa was responding to questions of why Nigeria sells electricity to other nations when the country does not have enough for its populace.

“Nigeria sells electricity to Niger Republic and Benin Republic. Those transactions of recent have been more driven by specific generation companies like NDPHC,” he said.

“At the heart of the transactions is the issue of the damming of the river. We have dammed the river and if we don’t provide electricity to countries that are upstream on the river, they can also build their dams which will create a major crisis for the country.

“So there is a strategic reason. If they are able to dam the river upstream, we are in trouble.”

Ewelukwa said about six percent of the electricity generated in the country is sold to neighbouring countries.

He said the federal government is working on structures that will enhance power distribution in the country.

“Most of the power generation companies are located within the south-south and south-west largely because of gas with one in the south-east, of course, we have the hydros in Niger state,” he said.

“The issue of evacuation is something that is at the heart of the priority of the government. At the moment, the contracted capacity is about 14,000 megawatts; out of that 14,000 megawatts, what is available in terms of what the generation companies are capable of producing is around 7,600 megawatts.

“Because of the different constraints within the system at either transmission or distribution level, that 7,600 is not fully available. What you have available on a given day is about 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts.

“To address this gap between what is available and what the system can currently carry; there are a number of intervention projects that the government is currently pursuing, that include the presidential power initiatives in partnership with Siemens.

“Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is currently supporting the funding of interface projects between transmission and distribution companies.

“To increase power generation, what we need is to increase the corridor for the power to move. There are a number of interface issues between the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and distribution companies that are critical to enhancing power distribution and CBN are currently providing funding to address those interface bottleneck.

“NDPHC is also dealing with transmission and distribution projects. As these interface projects are addressed, there will be enhanced space for the megawatt to move. The government is keen to expedite the time within which this is made available.

“The sector regulator, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has also concluded performance improvement plans for each of the distribution companies. This plan basically lays out the different infrastructure upgrade the distribution companies are supposed to implement in other to be able to provide more electricity to the citizens.

“The fact that we have the available capacity that is currently not being made fully available to the citizens is something that troubles us. But we are also confident that the different actions being performed by government agencies — NDPHC, TCN, MBET, the central bank in the mix — we are confident that we are heading in the right direction.”

Ewelukwa said the structure towards achieving a constant power distribution in the country will be achieved within the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Cable

There was palpable tension in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, yesterday, after soldiers mounted security checkpoints on strategic locations following reports of planned invasion of the city by bandits and terrorists.

It was gathered that security reports obtained by the military, late Tuesday night, revealed that the attackers fleeing from the heavy military onslaught in the northwestern part of the country were planning to enter the FCT, through the Abuja-Keffi Expressway and other entry points.

Consequently, soldiers and the various security agencies have been placed on red alert to counter the invasion of criminals into the city.

Already the Guards Brigade Nigerian army has deployed its soldiers to strategic locations where they mounted security checkpoints to monitor and arrest the attackers. Similarly, the army headquarters garrisons have also deployed its soldiers to strategic spots to give the attackers the battle of their lives.

The operation, which started at midnight Tuesday, is said to have led to the arrest of some suspects who are now helping the security operatives with useful information.

Motorists, especially those who live along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, including Kugbo, Karu, Jikwoyi, Orozo, Karshi, Nyanya, Mararaba, one man village and Masaka, among other satellite towns, are finding it difficult passing through the road as a result of the road block mounted by soldiers of Guards Brigade, who are responsible for the security of the president, his immediate family, Very Important Personalities (VIP), as well as the FCT and its environs.

A military source, who did not want to be mentioned in print, said similar checkpoints have been mounted around the Abaji, Zuba and Bwari areas to arrest the suspects before they gain access into the city.

The source further revealed that the joint task force had commenced the raid of all black spots in the FCT, and that some suspects have been arrested. The source said further that intelligence gathered in the last few days revealed the planned attack and an influx of motorcycle riders into the FCT, on a daily basis, a development said to be giving the military and other security agencies concerns as kidnapping and attacks on villages in the FCT become a daily affair.

The source said that the invasion of the university of Abuja, early Tuesday morning, by bandits who abducted some staff members and their families, may not be unconnected with the security alert even as soldiers are in hot pursuit to apprehend the criminals.

Sources alleged that some villagers may have connived with the criminals who attacked the university staff quarters as it took sometime before they could alert the police who, in turn, alerted soldiers of 176 Guards Battalion, located around Gwagwalada. Unfortunately, by the time they got there, the criminals had escaped. It was also gathered that the non fencing of the university premises and location of the staff quarters, said to be right inside the bush, made it very easy for the criminals to have easy access into the premises.

While the soldiers alongside operatives of the police anti kidnapping units were said to be in hot pursuit of the attackers, the kidnappers were yet to make contacts with families of the kidnapped victims.

When contacted the Commander, Guards Brigade, confirmed the security checkpoints by the soldiers. He, however, did not state why they mounted the security checkpoints even though soldiers have been in that particular spot for sometime now.

Meanwhile, barely 24 hours after the kidnap of members of staff of the University of Abuja, their abductors are demanding N300 million ransom for their release. This proves that reports of the release of the victims published yesterday were false.

Sun

Rescuers on Wednesday were racing to find survivors on the third day after a high-rise building under construction collapsed and trapped scores of people in the commercial capital Lagos, as the death toll rose to 22, officials said.

As hope turned to despair, anxious family members and large crowds gathered near the site of the incident hoping to hear news on the fate of those still trapped under chunks of masonry and mangled steel where the building once stood.

One man, choking with tears, said a relative of his travelled from United States for a wedding in Abuja and had then been invited to Lagos by the developer to look at the building project. He has not been heard from since Monday.

Phone numbers for the project owner, main contractor, project manager, structural engineers and architects listed near the collapsed building, were switched off when Reuters called on Wednesday, suggesting some of them may have gone underground.

Lagos State commissioner for information, Gbenga Omotoso said a six member independent panel of engineers, architects and town planers had been appointed to "ascertain what went wrong and recommend measures to forestall further occurrence."

The panel has a month to present its findings.

The collapsed building, in the affluent neighbourhood of Ikoyi, was one of three blocks that had been planned to be high-end apartments.

At least 22 people have died while nine people have been found alive and treated at hospital, officials said.

Building collapses are frequent in Africa's most populous country, where regulations are poorly enforced and construction materials often substandard.

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said there was no manifest of who and how many were working when the building collapsed.

"Unfortunately it has also been difficult for us to identify anyone, or anyone to come forward as the project manager, or a staff of the developer or contractor," he said during a visit to the site.

Authorities have said there had been some building infractions during construction earlier this year but did not say whether these had been rectified.

Reuters

Business activities in some parts of the Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos State, were grounded following a gas leakage in front of the Awolowo House, a complex in the area.

It was gathered that businessmen and women were operating around 7am on Wednesday when an underground gas pipeline was ruptured.

Gas fumes was said to have permeated the environment as people fled in panic.

Emergency responders were said to have arrived at the scene and sprayed chemicals to neutralise the gas which had pervaded the community.

It was reported that the company in charge of the pipeline, Gaslink, was contacted to shut down supply along the pipeline route.

A trader, who identified himself only as Segun, said task force officials in the market ordered all business persons to switch off their generators and close their shops.

He said, “When I got the information that gas was leaking, I observed that the place had been cordoned off as something like smoke was coming out of the ground. The market leaders told all shop owners to go home.

“We were told not to switch on our generators; even the commercial buses operating around the premises of the gas leakage were told to leave.”

Another trader, who identified himself only as Pastor, said the pipeline was mistakenly punctured by road construction workers in the area.

He said, “Due to the extension of the road and the bridge they are constructing, they have been demolishing buildings close to the bridge; the buildings affected are on Kodesho and Awolowo roads.

“It appears that some of the diggers who took part in the demolition punctured the pipeline. So, maybe the leakage worsened and we started smelling gas today. Emergency responders were alerted and when they came, they poured chemicals everywhere to quell the odour.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, said there was no cause for alarm, adding that the situation had been brought under control.

Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Magaret Adeseye, said the danger had been averted.

She said, “On arrival at the scene, it was discovered that a gas pipeline belonging to Gaslink was accidentally punctured and gas started gushing out. In a bid to forestall any secondary incident, the fumes emanating from the leakage were blanketed with a chemical foam compound, just as the area was swiftly cordoned off and traffic diverted, while inhabitants were sensitised not to make naked fire.”

Meanwhile, some shops were gutted by fire opposite Owode Onirin Market, on the Ikorodu Road, Lagos State.

Confirming the incident, Adeseye said while putting out the fire, officials of the fire service were attacked by yet-to-be-identified persons.

She, however, stated that the situation was eventually brought under control.

Punch