By Suleiman Yakubu

The Niger State House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging the executive arm of the government to address the critical shortage of medical doctors at Kontagora General Hospital.
During a plenary session, Hon. Sani Umar presented a motion highlighting the urgent need for additional qualified medical personnel at the hospital. He revealed that the hospital currently operates with only two medical doctors, which is grossly inadequate for a facility that serves not only Kontagora but also neighboring local governments such as Mariga, Magama, and Rijau, which lack general hospitals.
The motion emphasized that the scarcity of medical doctors has led to inadequate healthcare service delivery and, tragically, loss of lives, as patients are often attended to by inexperienced medical interns. Hon. Sani Umar proposed engaging retired doctors on a contract basis to help alleviate the shortage, a suggestion that was accepted and passed by the House.
During the debate, it was disclosed that the government had approved the recruitment of 1,000 medical personnel, including 100 medical doctors. However, only 13 individuals responded to receive their appointment letters, highlighting a significant challenge in recruiting and retaining medical professionals in the state.
Members of the assembly expressed concerns about the factors contributing to the reluctance of medical professionals to work in Niger, including poor welfare and salary packages. Hon. Sani Umar, in justifying the motion, emphasized the impact of the doctor shortage on constituents' access to healthcare and advocated for similar support to address healthcare challenges in other parts of the state.

By Suleiman Yakubu

Nigeria Police operatives from the Tudun Wada Division of the Niger State Police Command have arrested 16 suspects for thuggery, disturbing public peace, and possession of dangerous weapons and cannabis.
This operation was part of the police high command's efforts to address the recent surge in phone snatching and attacks on unsuspecting members of the public within Minna metropolis.
According to a press release by the State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abidoun, the arrests were made following a tip-off about miscreants and thugs spotted along Eastern Bye-Pass, near the PDP Secretariat in Minna. Police operatives from Tudun Wada Division were dispatched to the area for surveillance and monitoring.
During the operation, 16 suspects were found in a hotel room in the vicinity and were arrested. The police recovered two cutlasses, two knives, cannabis, shushi, and injection substances as exhibits.
The arrested suspects include Hafis Yakubu (24), Alhassan Aliyu (15), Abubakar Aminu (15), Badamasi Abdulmunini (16), Hassan Sani (14), Fahad Idris (14), and Abubakar Yusuf (15).
The suspects claimed they were at the hotel to celebrate Hafis Yakubu's birthday and that the dangerous weapons were for their protection against Kafintella youths, with whom they have had ongoing conflicts.
All suspects are currently under investigation at the Tudun Wada Division of the Nigeria Police, Niger State Command, and will be prosecuted in court following the investigation.