Author: Helen Okechukwu

Rivers

The global fight against Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is facing its gravest reversal in decades, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS has warned, as Nigeria recorded a 55% drop in condom distribution over the past year. In its 2025 World AIDS Day report, Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response, released on Tuesday, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said abrupt funding cuts and a deteriorating human rights climate are severely undermining prevention and treatment services across dozens of countries. According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the agency said HIV prevention, testing and community-led programmes have been widely…

The Rivers State Police Command has called for public calm after a viral video alleging an attack by Fulani herdsmen in the State was confirmed to be completely false and misleading. The Command in a statement issued on Wednesday said the video, which claimed that Ijaw youths repelled an attack by suspected herdsmen, was a fabricated narrative circulated by mischief makers intent on inciting panic and disrupting the prevailing peace in Rivers State. It emphasised that no such incident had been reported in any part of the State, warning residents against sharing unverified information capable of generating unnecessary tension or…

Army

The Rivers State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing widespread Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment and support as it dismissed a viral online report falsely claiming that the state has an 86% HIV prevalence rate. In a statement released on Monday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, described the circulating figures as misleading, fabricated, and not issued by any authorised health agency. It noted that the publication did not come from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and bears no resemblance to Nigeria’s recognised health data. Read Also: Reps begin probe into $4.6bn HIV, other grants According…

Police

The Bauchi State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all schools across the state following escalating security concerns that officials say pose risks to students, teachers and learning environments. In a statement issued by Jalaludeen Usman, Information and Public Relations Officer of the State Ministry of Education, the government said the directive affects all primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, including Federal Government-owned and private schools. He explained that the decision was reached after extensive consultations, adding that although difficult, the move became necessary to prioritise the protection of schoolchildren and educational staff amid heightened threats. Recall that New Daily…

Hospital

Oyedepo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested nine suspected drug cartel leaders in a week-long nationwide offensive that has led to the dismantling of six syndicates and the seizure of large quantities of illicit substances across several states. Backed by intelligence-led operations, NDLEA officers in Lagos, Anambra, Kogi, Cross River, Edo, Kebbi, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) made multiple high-profile arrests and intercepted consignments of methamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis (known locally as skunk), tramadol, codeine syrup and other illegal drugs. The operations also uncovered links to online drug sales, cross-border trafficking routes and concealed shipments passing through…