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NARD sets 24-hour call duty limit for doctors

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has directed its members to stop engaging in more than 24 hours of continuous call duty from today, October 1, 2025.

NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday, saying the move is aimed at protecting doctors’ health and ensuring safer care for patients.

“For too long, resident doctors in Nigeria have been overstretched with marathon call hours that take a toll on their health and compromise service delivery.

“From today, Wednesday, October 1, our members will no longer engage in more than 24 consecutive hours of call duty. Marathon call rosters are not tenable because doctors will make mistakes, collapse, or even die. Twenty-four hours are the maximum after, which rest is necessary.

“NARD is charging members to reject rosters that schedule back-to-back 24-hour calls,” Suleiman said.

He explained that the association had repeatedly raised concerns about excessive call schedules, which he described as unsafe and unsustainable.

“Any call roster that comes out, a doctor is only allowed to be on a straight 24-hour call once. After those 24 hours, he should go get rest. Then, the next day or the day after, you can put him on call. But to take a 24-hour call, at the end of that, continue another 24-hour call, continue another for a whole week, for a whole month, is no longer acceptable.

“That is why we are calling on the Federal Government, especially the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, to bring out clear guidelines, clear, healthy call roster guidelines, so that this will not happen,” he said.

The NARD president clarified that the directive was not about refusing call duty, but about ensuring limits.

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“We are not saying we are not taking calls. We are taking calls. This is our job. We are delighted to do it, but we will not take it beyond 24 hours. After 24 hours, one needs to go and rest, eat, see their loved ones, refresh, watch a movie, or read a book. Then you now continue the other,” he said.

Suleiman recalled a tragic incident involving a young doctor in Rivers State.

According to him, the doctor had reportedly been on call for three days consecutively before being found dead in the call room.

“Some stories will tell you he had malaria, and he was on some medications. Some will tell you they don’t know what happened, but he was with his colleagues at the end of the three-day call, and then he said, ‘Let me go and rest in the call room,’ and he was no more.

“Even if that is not the direct cause of death, it is a remote contributing factor. You really cannot say that excess workload or burnout is not real. And that is why we are taking this stand,” he emphasized.

He further stated that long call hours were compounded by doctors’ other responsibilities.

“It is not just the call we are taking; we still have regular work that we do. We have patients that are already in the ward, medications that need to be served, and clinics that need to be run. It is not as if you are on call; you are now saying stop all other work,” he stated.

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Ramadan: Adamawa gov relaxes night-time restriction on tricycles

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The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has approved a review of the existing restriction on the operations of commercial tricycles, known as Keke NAPEP, in parts of the state for the 2026 Ramadan period.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Friday.

The statement said the restriction, which previously ran from 10pm to 5am would now commence an hour later.

“Under the revised directive, the restriction which previously ran from 10pm to 5am will now commence from 11p to 5am daily throughout the 2026 Ramadan period.

“The review takes immediate effect,” the statement read.

The government explained that the adjustment was introduced to ease movement for Muslim faithful during the holy month.

“The adjustment is intended to allow Muslim faithful attend late-night tafsir sessions with ease during the holy month,” it added.

The statement recalled that the Adamawa State Government had, in February 2021, imposed restrictions on the movement of tricycles and motorcycles through the Adamawa State Restriction of Movement of Tricycles/Motorcycles Executive Order No. 1 of 2021, as part of measures to strengthen public safety and security.

It noted that the latest review reflects the administration’s effort to balance religious observance with security considerations.

“The present review is therefore informed by the Government’s commitment to supporting religious observance, while maintaining the gains recorded in peace and security across the state,” the statement said.

Fintiri also directed security agencies to intensify patrols across the affected local government areas.

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“Governor Fintiri has accordingly directed security agencies to intensify patrols, particularly within Yola North, Yola South and Girei, through the deployment of additional personnel to safeguard lives and property.

“He warned that any breach of the law will be dealt with decisively,” the statement added.

The governor further appealed to residents to act responsibly and avoid actions that could undermine the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the state.

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DSS to arraign El-Rufai Feb 25 over alleged cybercrime, security breach

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The Department of State Services (DSS) will on February 25 arraign former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on alleged cybercrime and breach of national security

LIB had earlier reported that the DSS on Monday, February 16, filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the court papers, El-Rufai was alleged to have, on Feb. 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, “admitted during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.”

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

In count two, the ex-governor was alleged to have, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, stated during the interview that he knew and related with a certain individual who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Count three alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety and national security and instilled reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications.

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The DSS said the ex-governor by his own comment during the live interview committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”

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Mob besieges Benin FRSC office

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The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Malam Shehu Mohammed, has praised the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Force for their swift and decisive response during the recent attack on the Benin Toll Gate Unit Command Office.

The attack occurred on Thursday at the RS5.12 Benin Toll Gate Unit on the Benin–Lagos Expressway, following a crash involving two trucks, the statement said.

One truck driver died in the accident, while FRSC personnel sustained critical injuries, with one officer later succumbing despite urgent medical attention.

“In the aftermath of the crash, an angry mob besieged and vandalised the Unit Command formation. However, the prompt response by security agencies helped to restore order and prevent further escalation,” Mohammed said in a statement issued on Friday by the FRSC spokesman, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in Abuja.

The Corps Marshal condemned the attack on FRSC personnel and facilities as “deeply regrettable and unacceptable,” emphasising that the operatives were on lawful duty to save lives.

He also commiserated with the families of the deceased driver, the fallen officer, and the entire FRSC workforce.

Mohammed has ordered a comprehensive investigation into both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and the circumstances that led to the mob action.

He assured the public that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.

The FRSC boss reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to ensuring safer roads for all Nigerians and called on the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of its activities.

(NAN)

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