Five residents of Malam Matari community, on the outskirts of Damaturu, are receiving medical treatment after being bitten by a dog confirmed to have rabies, in an incident that has raised fresh concerns over public health and animal disease control in Yobe State.

The attack also affected livestock, prompting the Yobe State Pilot Livestock Development Programme to deploy its Rapid Response Team to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the virus.

The Programme Manager, Dr Bulama Maina Yaro, who supervised the emergency operation, said the five victims were responding well to treatment and had commenced the recommended five-dose post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) vaccination.

He added that the swift response helped contain the situation before it escalated.

“The situation is under control. The affected persons are receiving appropriate medical care, while the infected animals have been safely buried to prevent further spread of the virus,” Dr Yaro said.

According to him, two goats attacked by the rabid dog were safely disposed of and buried in line with veterinary public health guidelines to eliminate the risk of further transmission.

As part of the intervention, veterinary officials conducted a public awareness campaign in Malam Matari to educate residents on the dangers of rabies, how to identify symptoms in animals, what to do after a dog bite, and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention.

The sensitisation exercise was led by Veterinary Officer Dr Yau Buba Wakil.

The Lagos State Police Command has appealed to members of the public for assistance in locating the family of an 83-year-old man, Mr Oriowo Gabriel, who is currently in police protective custody.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the command said the elderly man was found by a compassionate member of the public and taken to the Ipaja Police Division, where he has since been receiving care and protection.

According to the police, efforts to trace his relatives using the residential addresses he provided have so far proved unsuccessful.

Officers reportedly visited the locations, but no one was able to identify him or provide information that could lead to his family.

The command has therefore called on anyone who knows Mr Oriowo Gabriel or has information about his relatives or loved ones to come forward.

Individuals with relevant information are urged to contact the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Ipaja Division, on +234 803 799 3827 to assist in reuniting the elderly man with his family.

Operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics, SWAT, Unit of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested 43 more suspects as part of the ongoing Operation Kosaye (no chance).

The suspects were arrested during a coordinated raid on a notorious criminal hideout, leading to the recovery of hard drugs,10 mobile phones and other incriminating exhibits.

Recall that in June, the Command during its joint operation and bush combing exercise carried out across Ogun, Lagos and up to the boundary of Oyo State, arrested no fewer than 84 suspects.

A statement released on Sunday by the Ogun Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said another operation conducted at about 11: 00 p.m. on Tuesday, 7th July, resulted in the arrest of 43 suspects, comprising 28 males and 15 females.

Babaseyi disclosed that the arrest followed credible intelligence that a notorious black spot located around Isheri-Olofin, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway opposite Kara Cattle Market, had become a haven for criminal elements involved in cult-related activities, drug abuse, prostitution and other crimes.

“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the Commander, SWAT, CSP Murphy, deployed operatives to execute a coordinated raid on the location.

“The latest success further underscores the effectiveness of the intelligence-led and proactive policing strategies being implemented by the Ogun State Police Command under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, to dismantle criminal networks, eliminate criminal hideouts, and enhance public safety across Ogun State,” he added.

The police spokesman noted that during a thorough search of the premises, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, ‘Loud’, and other hard drugs, 10 mobile phones, four power banks, one rechargeable hand fan, one cross-body bag containing two ATM cards and one National Identity Card, alongside other exhibits were recovered.

Babaseyi quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, to have commended the professionalism, discipline, resilience, and operational effectiveness of the SWAT operatives, describing the operation as another significant milestone in the sustained implementation of Operation KOSAYE.

The CP reaffirmed that Ogun State will remain a hostile terrain for criminals and warned that criminal hideouts, drug joints and brothels used as covers for criminal activities, cult enclaves and other black spots will continue to be identified, raided, and dismantled.

Meanwhile, he urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting the police with timely, credible and actionable information, assuring that the command will sustain intelligence-led policing, robust tactical operations and strategic community partnerships to protect lives, secure property and preserve public peace and order.