Author: Helen Okechukwu

Natives of the Obele community in Emohua Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, displaced over an alleged rival cult clash, have cried for state government intervention after the murder of five persons. Recalled that on 5 February, suspected cultists invaded the community, marched from house to house in search of their targets, leading to the death of five persons in different compounds. Due to the fear of death, significant numbers of natives who flee their residential homes remain homeless. In a united voice, Mr Bestman Amadi, a concerned citizen, has beckoned Governor Siminalayi Fubara to come to their rescue, as…

A 35-year-old, Innocent Chigozie, an alleged notorious cultist and leader of an armed robbery gang, has been arrested by the operatives of the Rivers State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU). The suspect was said to have been terrorising farm lands located at Uzo Afor Road in the Okahia Community, Elele, Etche LGA. The police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, in documents shared with journalists on Tuesday, disclosed the activities of the armed men have sparked a widespread panic and tension in the community at large. Read Also: Police arrest seven suspected cultists in Ogun Chigozie was arrested on 30 January following a…

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced that the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has pledged to restore power within 24 to 48 hours after dialogue. This announcement came shortly after the medical students from the University of Ibadan protested on Monday over 100 days in darkness within the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State. Acknowledging that the 4-month total blackout was a shame to witness within the health facility and to the Federal Government (FG). The health facility was disconnected from the national grid due to a ₦200 million debt. Speaking over the disruption, the Power Minister…

Power shortages witnessed across University College Hospital (UCH) have led some medical students from the University of Ibadan to protest at the meeting venue between the Federal Government (FG) and the hospital management. The medical students stormed the meeting ground on Monday, demanding immediate power restoration over the 100-day total blackout at the hospital. The meeting between the FG and UCH management was convened by Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu to find out the problem of power outage at the institution. Samson Samuel, a former UI students’ union president, led the group of protesters who expressed their grievance over the…

The Yobe Government has deployed 50 health experts to investigate the root causes of the alarming cases of kidney failure in some parts of the state. The Director of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre, Yobe State University, Dr Mahmud Maina, made this known in Gashua in the Bade Local Government Area of the state. ”We are here in Bade Emirate to begin a kidney research project funded by Gov. Mai Mala Buni. “The research aims to understand the risk and causative factors contributing to the high number of deaths related to kidney disease, particularly within this emirate,” he…

With a significant number of reported cases, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) acknowledged a trend—diphtheria is primarily affecting children aged 1 to 14. The agency’s recent revelation noted that out of 41,336 confirmed diphtheria cases in the country, about 15,845 children are significantly affected. Diphtheria, which spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes, has led to a 61% rise in cases among children. During reporting week 4 (January 26), out of eight suspected cases recorded, six were confirmed and distributed across five Local Government Areas (LGAs) in two states, with zero mortality, while two cases…

A 37-year-old man, Anthony Okafor, has been apprehended by police operatives attached to Abagana Police Division Headquarters and AVG operatives for the alleged murder of Mr Emmanuel Okafor, 45, his elder brother. The tragic incident, which fuels widespread reactions from citizens, occurred on 7 February after a heated argument erupted between the suspect and his elder brother. The both brothers hail from Adegbe Village in the Njikoka Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State. Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson, made this known on Saturday via a shared statement on Facebook, stated that argument erupted over a food item meant for…

To protect public health in Rivers State, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) destroyed fake, expired, and substandard drugs worth N4.7 billion on Thursday. The destruction took place at the Rivers State Waste Management Authority (RIWAMA) Dumpsite in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area, where the harmful substances were set ablaze. This exercise, which began yesterday, is part of ongoing efforts to combat contraband drugs across six South-South states. Read Also: NAFDAC probes suspected fake Amoxycillin capsules Speaking on behalf of the Director-General, the South-South Director of NAFDAC, Chukwuemeka Oligbu, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling the…

Twelve passengers have reportedly gone missing after a suspected sea pirate attack along Isaka in Okrika Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State. According to reports, out of the twenty passengers that boarded the boat on Thursday, nine were rescued by security personnel and transported to the state capital. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the boat driver passed through Kilometer 10, a prohibited channel for commercial boat operators, which has been described as an act of disobedience. The Chief Press Officer, Boma Waribo, confirmed in a signed statement that the boat was en route from Bonny LGA. The Bonny LGA Chairman,…

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has revealed that the number of deaths recorded in the first four weeks of 2025 surpasses the figure recorded in 2024, with 48 deaths reported. As of the first four weeks of 2025, it was noted on Thursday that 53 deaths had been recorded, according to a report retrieved from the NCDC. About 191 suspected cases are being traced to combat the spread. Lassa fever, which is spread by the common African rat, also known as the Mastomys rat species, has remained endemic in Nigeria and a few West African countries, including Benin,…