News
ID, Taraba Commission Remodeled PCR Laboratory

ID, Taraba Commission Remodeled PCR Laboratory
By: Michael Mike
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Taraba State government have commissioned the remodeled Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Laboratory at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jalingo for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and other priority diseases testing and treatment monitoring.
In April 2023, a devastating fire destroyed the PCR laboratory, which brought life-saving HIV/AIDS treatment to the people of Taraba State.

In response, USAID worked with the management of FMC Jalingo to remodel the virology laboratory in the facility to serve as a PCR laboratory, a specialized lab that tests HIV with high accuracy and precision.
Following the remodeling, USAID also installed a Hologic Panther Plus – a specialized PCR equipment for HIV testing with high output and short turnaround time – in the laboratory to enable resumption of testing.
Speaking at the commissioning, USAID/Nigeria HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis Office Deputy Director, Dr. Ezekiel James said, “We hope that the remodeled laboratory will increase HIV testing and treatment for the people of Taraba and Adamawa states.”
Through the United States President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID provides operational and technical support to FMC Jalingo’s PCR laboratory, which is one of four USAID-supported and 12 PEPFAR-supported PCR laboratories in Nigeria.

The lab analyzes HIV viral load in people on antiretroviral therapy and tests infants exposed to HIV. As part of Government of Nigeria efforts to boost Taraba State’s ability to support HIV prevention, care and treatment programs, USAID improved the technical capacity of healthcare workers and quality of service delivery in the molecular laboratory.
The remodeled laboratory resumed full operations in May 2024 and has tested more than 9,333 viral load samples, enabling people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy.
ID, Taraba Commission Remodeled PCR Laboratory
News
Foreign national found dead in Lagos hotel room, investigation ongoing

Foreign national found dead in Lagos hotel room, investigation ongoing
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Lagos has launched an investigation into the sudden and unnatural death of an 80-year-old Colombian national, Quesada Vanegas Ricardo Alfonso, whose lifeless body was discovered at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Festac Town.
According to a Police Sources, a distress call was received on May 1, alerting authorities to the discovery of the deceased at around 3:45 p.m. in his hotel room (No. C85) on the 8th floor of the hotel. The police team, including homicide detectives, was dispatched to the scene to examine the situation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim had been staying at the hotel for more than four months before his death. No signs of violence or foul play were found on his body.
“The corpse was evacuated and transported to Mainland General Hospital morgue in Yaba, where it has been preserved for autopsy. The coroner’s inquest and other necessary procedures have been initiated, with the investigation ongoing.
“Furthermore, some hotel management staff were briefly taken into custody for failing to maintain proper records of their guests. They have since been released as part of the investigation.
“The police assured that thorough investigation will continue to determine the cause of death,”said the sources.
Foreign national found dead in Lagos hotel room, investigation ongoing
Man kills replacement herder in Niger over job loss
By Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has arrested a man for allegedly killing his replacement over a dispute linked to job loss in Malale village, Borgu Local Government Area.
According to a Police Sources, the incident occurred on April 30 at about 12:30 p.m. and was reported to the Malale Police Outstation by the village head, Mallam Musa Abubakar, and one Usman Iliyasu of Tungan-Sule.
Usman Iliyasu told police that he had employed Usman Mohammed as a cattle herder two years ago but sacked him in February 2025 after accusing him of stealing money while he was away on pilgrimage to Mecca.
Subsequently, Iliyasu hired one Ibrahim Salisu, 40, of the same address to replace him.
“The sacked herder, Usman Mohammed, reportedly attacked Ibrahim Salisu with a cutlass, inflicting fatal injuries and accusing him of taking over his job. The victim died on the spot,” said the police sources.
He said Police officers from the New-Bussa Division visited the scene, photographed the corpse, and evacuated it to the General Hospital, New-Bussa, for autopsy.
The suspect was immediately arrested, and an investigation is currently ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
Man kills replacement herder in Niger over job loss
Crime
Bandits kill 11 in Sokoto, joint security forces launch manhunt

Bandits kill 11 in Sokoto, joint security forces launch manhunt
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have killed 11 persons in coordinated attacks across three communities in Gwadabawa and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, sources confirmed on Saturday that the attacks occurred on May 2 at about 7:30 p.m.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the assailants, in large numbers, stormed Satiru Village and killed five people. They then proceeded to Kunkurus Village, where they killed one person, and later attacked Shadawa community in Sabon Birni LGA, where they shot five more victims dead.
In response to the attacks, troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Sokoto Community Guards jointly responded to the attacks in the affected areas.
On their arrival, the terrorists had already fled.
The troops are currently trailing the terrorists
Bandits kill 11 in Sokoto, joint security forces launch manhunt
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