Category: News

The Oyo State Government confirmed a new case of Lassa fever on April 15, 2026, involving a 44-year-old woman who died at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

The Oyo State Government has confirmed a case of Lassa fever at the University College Hospital in Ibadan. The case involved a 44-year-old female patient who was treated at the clinic and died on April 11, 2026, with scientific confirmation of Lassa fever coming on April 13.

Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, the Commissioner for Health, stated on Monday that the state has activated its emergency response procedures in reaction to the confirmation. She stated that the Incident Management System for Lassa fever has been activated to coordinate response actions across the state.

“Key steps have been taken to identify and monitor all contacts of the deceased, ensuring that a safe and dignified burial is conducted,” he said.

She urged residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness or fatigue, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding, chest pain or difficulty breathing.

She also mentioned that it might spread through contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons, particularly in healthcare settings without proper infection control. Ajetunmobi advised residents to maintain proper environmental hygiene, store food in rodent-proof containers, dispose of waste properly, and avoid drying food items on open ground or roadsides.

She also urged the public to seal holes and entry points in homes to prevent rodent infestation.

She said, “Good personal hygiene must be practised at all times, including regular hand washing with soap and water, and the use of hand sanitisers where necessary.” The commissioner urged anyone showing symptoms to report promptly through emergency lines: 08033742052and 08025245809.

She added that all health workers had been directed to strictly adhere to infection prevention and control protocols. Ajetunmobi said surveillance had been intensified across the state and all health facilities had been placed on high alert.

She reassured locals that the situation was under control and that there was no reason to panic.

She stated, “Lassa Fever is preventable and treatable, especially when detected early.”

The US Department of State has ordered family members and non-essential employees to leave the country’s Embassy in Abuja due to rising security concerns throughout Nigeria.

In a travel advisory released on Wednesday, the department urged Americans to reconsider travel to Nigeria starting April 8, 2026, citing rising crime, terrorism, kidnapping civil unrest, and limited healthcare services.

Nigeria is placed in the advisory’s “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” category, while 23 states are now on the more stringent “Level 4: Do Not Travel” category. Newly added to the Level 4 list are Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba states. They join other northern states already considered high-risk, including Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and parts of Adamawa, where terrorism and kidnapping threats remain severe.

Due to significant crime and instability, some states in the South were also warned. These include Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers State, with the advisory specifically excluding Port Harcourt from the highest risk category.
The U.S. government warned that violent crimes such as armed robbery, carjacking, and kidnapping for ransom are common, noting that American citizens are sometimes deliberately targeted. It also cautioned that terrorist attacks could occur without warning in crowded locations such as markets, places of worship, hotels, and public gatherings.

Concerns over Nigeria’s healthcare system were also brought up in the recommendation, which stated that medical services are still inconsistent and frequently fall short of international norms.

It was suggested that Americans who intended to visit Nigeria sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and establish clear personal safety measures before and during their stay.

After a grandpa of seven drowned at a home baptism, a UK preacher was accused of manslaughter and she allegedly recorded a video saying she saw him “dancing with Jesus.”

Based on the Telegraph, Cheryl Bartley, 48, was live-streaming a ceremony in October 2023 for Robert Smith, 61, on the Facebook page of her Life Changing Ministries.

According to the report, Smith, a born-again Christian with Parkinson’s illness, was being baptized in a children’s paddling pool at the Birmingham home when the stream abruptly stopped.

Emergency services were called, but the grandfather of seven was already dead. A post-mortem revealed he died from drowning, West Midlands Police said when announcing charges Wednesday.

After the death, the pastor made a film about it, saying that she saw Smith in heaven, “dancing with Jesus,” according to the Telegraph.

She has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter — an offense which carries a sentence ranging between 1 and 18 years on average in the UK — and is set to appear in a Birmingham magistrates court on May 14.

Smith had spent 25 years living in the UK, but his birthplace was Jamaica. He was a barber in Brixton, London, according to the Guardian.

Olatunde Funke, a 42-year-old lady who was previously reported missing in Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, was discovered in a motel in Ugbe-Akoko, Akoko North-East Local Government Area, under circumstances that have sparked outrage throughout the state.

Her disappearance had initially triggered widespread concern among residents and family members after she reportedly left her matrimonial home without any prior notice. According to sources, her husband raised the alarm shortly after discovering her absence, prompting fears that she may have been abducted or harmed.

Ilara-Mokin and Ugbe-Akoko are separated by a distance of about 124 kilometres, with an estimated travel time of approximately two hours and forty minutes, making the development even more puzzling to those involved in the search. A source familiar with the incident disclosed to Roving Reporters that the situation caused significant panic within the community.

The source said, There was a lot of stress after her abrupt disappearance. Fearing the worst, family members and neighbors started looking for her right after. However, investigations later revealed that the woman was not kidnapped as initially suspected. Security operatives, acting on intelligence, traced her to a hotel in Ugbe-Akoko where she was found in the company of a 55-year-old man identified as Isa Alaba.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, noted that the incident led to the deployment of security resources under the assumption that it was a possible case of abduction.

“This type of circumstance raises preventable concerns. Resources meant for genuine emergencies were mobilised because people feared a serious crime had occurred,” he said.

The police spokesperson used the opportunity to caution residents against actions capable of misleading authorities or causing unnecessary panic, particularly in cases involving missing persons.

Additionally, he emphasized the value of family communication, noting that many such situations could be prevented through dialogue and timely information sharing.

“There is a need for better communication, especially among couples. Issues like this can often be resolved through dialogue or family intervention instead of escalating into public concern,” Abayomi added.

He reiterated the Ondo State Police Command’s dedication to acting promptly to distress calls and safeguarding lives and property, while urging the public to always provide accurate and timely information when reporting incidents.

Despite the common perception that commercial poultry farming is a male-dominated industry, women play a significant role in the sector, particularly at the household level.

Married women in Yobe State, one of the Boko Haram insurgency’s hotspots, are increasingly using chicken farming as a way to start over. For many, it has become a reliable source of income, helping to reduce poverty while enabling them to invest in other ventures that support their families.

Fanna Musa Isah, a trained health worker, told Daily Trust how she returned to school to sharpen her skills and pursue her passion for poultry farming.

“I have a diploma and a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health, but because of my passion for poultry farming, I gained admission into the Yobe State College of Agriculture in Damaturu to study poultry production.

“I started the business with ten birds after finishing the curriculum. I increased the number to 300 with patience and hard work, These include layers, broilers and noilers. I harvest about two crates of eggs daily and sell broilers after six weeks of rearing.

Findings by Daily Trust revealed that many women poultry farmers in the state operate from their backyards, often with little or no support from government or non-governmental organisations.

Fatima Mustapha began poultry farming in 2013 with just 10 chickens, but her journey was disrupted by insurgency. She and her husband were displaced by Boko Haram attacks and sought refuge in Bauchi State. Despite the setback, she remained resilient, “I started this business in 2013 with 10 birds, but after the attacks in Damaturu, my husband and I fled to Bauchi State. The birds died because no one was left to care for them as the town became deserted.

“I bought ten more birds and restarted the business after things got back to normal.” I currently rear over fifty birds, both broilers and noilers. “The noilers provide eggs, which I sell to support my family, relatives, and to cover feed and vaccination costs. The business has reduced my dependence on others,” she said.

Beyond personal income, successful poultry farmers in the state are strengthening their communities by encouraging more women to become self-reliant. This, in turn, is increasing their economic independence and decision-making power within their households.

Malama Aisha Musa, a veterinary doctor and poultry expert, told Daily Trust that she has trained more than 20 women over the past eight years.

“I started poultry farming about eight years ago after completing my National Youth Service Corps. I began with 10 to 20 birds and a small cage. Today, I have expanded to over 300 chickens.

“We want the government to support these women with capital and mentorship. This will boost their businesses and help reduce poverty—not only for the women directly involved but also within the wider community,” she said.

Another farmer, Malama Aisha Auwal, who was cleaning her poultry cage while awaiting a new batch of birds after selling out her stock during Ramadan and the Eid celebrations, said she produces up to four crates of eggs daily from about 150 birds.

God alone is aware of how lucrative this industry is. It is quite profitable, particularly if you possess the necessary knowledge and abilities. I have been raising layers, broilers, and noilers for more than 13 years, depending on the situation.

“I usually harvest three to four crates of eggs daily when weather conditions are favourable. During harsh weather, production drops to about one and a half crates. We can meet the demand for eggs and poultry meat in the market,” she said.

Halima Abdullahi Isa, a resident of Obasanjo Estate in Damaturu who has been rearing broilers for eight years, said government support is crucial for expansion.

“Although we have some capital, it is very small. We need government support to expand, build larger cages, and increase the number of birds we rear. “The government should also help connect us to reliable markets and buyers. Currently, some buyers do not pay market prices, and this affects our profits. We need access to better markets where we can sell our products at fair value,” she said.

These women have the potential to play a significant role in satisfying the state’s increasing need for eggs and chicken meat if they are given the proper institutional assistance, perseverance, and continuous dedication.