A journalist in Kebbi State has been detained after releasing a video exposing poor conditions at a government hospital, sparking outrage among activists and renewed calls for press freedom.

The journalist, identified as Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa, was reportedly arrested on the orders of the state government following the circulation of the footage filmed at Kangiwa General Hospital.

The video, which went viral on social media, showed an elderly patient lying on a bare metal bed frame without a mattress.

The footage triggered widespread criticism, with many accusing state officials of targeting the messenger instead of addressing what they described as rot in the healthcare system.

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Opposition activist Omoyele Sowore condemned the arrest, describing it as an act of “tyranny.” He accused the state government of suppressing free speech, saying: “A fake comrade who detains journalists for exposing government failures should not be tolerated.”

The Take It Back Movement, a pro-democracy group, also criticised the detention, demanding Kangiwa’s immediate release.

In a statement, the group said: “This is sheer tyranny. Instead of fixing hospitals, Kebbi authorities are arresting journalists.”

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On social media, the hashtag #FreeHassanKangiwaNow trended as Nigerians reshared the video and condemned the state government’s action. One user wrote: “Rather than fixing the hospital, you arrest the journalist exposing the truth.”

As of Wednesday, neither the state government nor the police in Birnin Kebbi had issued an official statement regarding Kangiwa’s arrest or possible charges.

Rights groups have since been tagged in online campaigns calling for Kangiwa’s release.

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, Area II Command, Onne, Rivers State, have seized 20 containers filled with illicit drugs worth N13.5 billion in duty paid value.

The outgoing Controller of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, made the disclosure while presenting the seized items to journalists in Onne on Wednesday.

Shortly afterward, he handed over leadership of the command to his successor, Comptroller Aliyu Alkali.

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According to Babandede, the intercepted containers contained 1,195,400 bottles of codeine syrup, 3,200,000 tablets of extra Diclofenac, 3,500,000 tablets of benzhexol, 1,633 cartons of laboratory equipment, and 2,612,400 Analgin injections, alongside several other pharmaceuticals.

He revealed that the products, which were imported from India, had been disguised as regular imports such as chilly cutters, ceiling fans, plumbing materials, used clothes, and vegetable oil, among other items.

According to DAILY POST, the outgoing controller explained that the influx of counterfeit and substandard medicines had long posed a danger to public health.

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He said, “Exactly six weeks ago, the Comptroller-General of Customs and Director General of NAFDAC were here, where some containers of illicit medicine were intercepted and handed over to NAFDAC… In furtherance of this commitment to public health and safety, I am pleased to share a recent significant breakthrough in our ongoing efforts to combat illicit trade in medicine.”

He added that the seizure was achieved through the dedication and vigilance of the officers of the command.

The interception was announced barely a day after the Onne Command disclosed that it had generated N859 billion in revenue between May 2024 and July 2025.

The Police Command in Delta has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said that the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on Aug. 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said that the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

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“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

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“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis,” DAILY POST quoted him

The police spokesman said that investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.