The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Sunday said it uncovered a warehouse stocked with banned, substandard, and unregistered cosmetic products in Lagos.

In a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) page, NAFDAC disclosed that the products, valued at over ₦3 billion, were discovered at the APT Trade Fair Complex.

The agency said the facility was concealed within an uncompleted building.

“NAFDAC has uncovered a warehouse stocked with banned, fake, and unregistered cosmetic products valued at over ₦3 billion at the APT Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State.

“Items recovered include 728 cartons of Crusader soap, 718 cartons of E45 soap, and Extract Gold whitening soaps, which are products banned by the Federal Government,” the statement read.

The agency further stated that additional items, including assorted perfumes, body oils, and cooking oils, were also found and placed on hold for further regulatory assessment.

It added that all seized products had been evacuated to prevent distribution, while the warehouse manager has been invited for further investigation as enforcement actions continue.

NAFDAC warned that the sale and use of such products pose serious health risks.

“Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office,” the agency added.

Thirty-one people have died from Lassa fever within five weeks, according to the latest data released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

In its situation report released on Monday, the agency disclosed that over 754 suspected cases were recorded, out of which 165 were confirmed.

Among those affected were nine health workers.

“Cumulatively, as of Week Five, 2026, 31 deaths have been reported, with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.8 per cent, which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2025 (19.6 per cent).

“In total for 2026, nine states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 33 local government areas,” the report stated.

“Ninety-two per cent of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from five states — Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Plateau — while eight per cent were reported from four other states with confirmed cases.

“Of the 92 per cent of confirmed cases, Bauchi accounted for 47 per cent, Ondo 18 per cent, Taraba 14 per cent, Edo eight per cent, and Plateau five per cent.

“The predominant age group affected is 21–30 years (range: 1 to 74 years; median age: 28 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.

“The number of suspected and confirmed cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period in 2025,” it added.

According to the agency, 135 cases are currently being managed at treatment centres, with at least 110 suspected cases undergoing contact tracing and follow-up.

The NCDC also highlighted its response efforts, stating that it had conducted a high-level field mission to Bauchi State; activated the Incident Management System of the National Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre; analysed samples across its laboratory network to guide prompt diagnosis and treatment; and advocated for a dedicated budget line to support field activities for Lassa fever prevention and control.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family.

It is an animal-borne acute viral illness spread by the common African rat, also known as the Mastomys rat species.

The disease is endemic in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.

Humans typically become infected through exposure to food or household items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to fully implement outstanding agreements on salaries, allowances, and welfare, even as it extended the suspension of its Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS).

The decision was taken at the end of the Association’s January National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and Scientific Conference, held from January 25 to 29, 2026, in Jos, Plateau State.

In a communiqué jointly signed by the NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr Abdulmajid Ibrahim, the Association expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and other key stakeholders for their roles in ongoing engagements.

NARD said the extension of the strike suspension for another four weeks was a “goodwill gesture” in recognition of what it described as progress made by the Federal Government.

“In recognition of the progress made by the Federal Government towards addressing the legitimate demands of Nigerian resident doctors, the NEC has resolved to extend the suspension of the Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike for a further period of four weeks,” the communiqué stated.

The Association held its January NEC meeting—its first statutory gathering for the year—alongside a scientific conference on January 27 at the Eliel Centre, Gold and Base, Jos, Plateau State.

The conference, themed “Innovating for Equity: Technology as a Bridge between Poverty and Health,” was delivered by Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman, who was represented by Dr Peace Longdet.

The event was chaired by the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Piwuna Christopher, and attracted several dignitaries, including the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, His Royal Majesty Jacob Gyang, who was represented.

Leaders of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and chief medical directors of major health institutions were also in attendance.

After extensive deliberations, the NEC acknowledged the reinstatement of disengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and commended the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) on the outstanding 25 and 35 per cent CONMESS and accoutrement allowance arrears.

IPPIS assured the Association that efforts were ongoing to clear the arrears within two weeks.

NARD also noted that promotion and salary arrears had been forwarded to relevant authorities, with assurances from the Minister of Finance that payments would be expedited.

However, the Association expressed concern over delays in circulating the directive affirming CONMESS 3 as the approved entry level for medical doctors.

It also decried the non-payment of the Professional Allowance provided for in the 2026 Appropriation Act, as well as persistent salary arrears across several health institutions.

The Association further warned of worsening industrial relations at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and demanded urgent intervention, alongside calls for improved welfare, timely release of training funds, and renewed investment in health infrastructure nationwide.