Nigeria Roundup: Cholera cases, Hajj deaths, sale of presidential jets

Hajj heatwave kills Nigerian politician

A Nigerian party leader has died in the Hajj heatwave, along with over 1,000 other pilgrims. The veteran politician, Alhaja Ramota Bankole, was a respected member of the ruling All Progressives Congress party. Her death has sparked grief and condolences from top Nigerian officials. The Hajj pilgrimage has seen over 1,000 deaths this year, with some countries reporting fatalities. The pilgrimage is increasingly affected by climate change, with rising temperatures leading to heat-related illnesses, The New Arab reports.

Sale of old presidential jets

The Nigerian government has appointed a US broker to sell ageing presidential jets to purchase new ones. Debate over the purchase of new planes triggered by concerns over safety and economic hardship. Officials aim to use proceeds from sales to fund new aircraft, The Cable reports.

British Airways encounters technical fault

British Airways grounded its aircraft in Lagos due to a technical fault but apologised to passengers. The airline will cover accommodation and meal costs for affected passengers and re-accommodated most on other flights. According to Premium Times, some passengers were endorsed by other carriers. The flight was rescheduled and later cancelled due to technical issues.

Poor prison conditions

Nigeria's government has denied poor prison conditions for Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, emphasising his access to healthcare and legal proceedings. US lawmakers have called for his release, citing his background in fighting money laundering, according to the Cointelegraph. US enforcement agencies are cracking down on crypto-related crime.

Rising cholera cases

Lagos has seen an increase in cholera cases, with 423 suspected cases and 24 deaths. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 40 cholera-related deaths. Punch reports that the government is actively engaged in contact tracing, sample testing, and treatment. Ogun and Kano states have also reported outbreaks. Cholera is highly contagious and spreads through contaminated food and water. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.