The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on Ndigbo both in Nigeria and the Diaspora to return home for Christmas celebrations, assuring them of security and peace throughout the South-East during the festive season.

In a statement on Sunday, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful described the South-East as Nigeria’s “most tranquil” region, noting that security conditions have improved significantly despite what he called “sponsored instability” over the past four years.

Powerful urged Igbos not to be misled by “propaganda” against IPOB and its security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), stressing that both organizations, with community support, have played a key role in maintaining relative calm.

“The global family of IPOB, under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, encourages Ndigbo planning to return home for Christmas to do so safely, as ESN operatives and IPOB volunteers will ensure security across the entire South-East region,” he said.

He added that the inherent peacefulness of the Igbo people has contributed to the stability of the region and encouraged returnees to consider investing in their homeland during the festive period.

Powerful also refuted viral social media claims about passenger kidnappings at Ngor Okpala along the Owerri–Aba Expressway, labeling the footage as “old” and “false.”

“The absence of ongoing killings and abductions in the South-East is proof that there are ‘Lions’ safeguarding the land,” he stated, explaining that ESN operations are conducted discreetly and do not have official social media accounts.

He further accused the Federal Government and some Igbo politicians of attempts to undermine IPOB and ESN, insisting that the Biafra restoration movement remains “a sacred initiative.”

Powerful concluded by urging Ndigbo to ignore fear-driven narratives about insecurity and return home in large numbers for Christmas.

“Celebrate with your families, invest in your homeland, and do not let fear or false insecurity reports deter you,” he added.

Funding reductions by the United States government have significantly impacted Nigeria’s HIV response, creating acute shortages of HIV test kits in public hospitals and clinics nationwide.

Despite the Federal Government’s assurances of increased domestic funding and its pledge to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, testing shortages persist.

For Danladi Adamu, a person living with HIV for over 25 years in Bauchi State, the announcement on January 20, 2025, that the US had paused foreign aid was a devastating blow.

“The announcement brought a lot of psychological trauma. Many of us rushed to treatment centers, hoping to stock up on medicines,” he recounted.

While antiretroviral drugs (ARTs) remain largely available, the supply of HIV test kits has been inconsistent.

Bauchi State NEPWHAN coordinator Abdullahi Ibrahim confirmed that test kits ran out in November 2025, hampering community testing efforts and slowing progress toward the 95-95-95 global target.

“If we can’t test, many people remain unaware of their status, and the virus spreads more easily,” he said.

The scarcity is not limited to the North-East. In the South-East, Enugu and Anambra States report limited availability of test kits.

Amaka Adindu, a PLHIV in Anambra, said that while drug supplies stabilized after an initial crisis, test kits remain scarce.

Similarly, Rivers State has seen reduced community testing due to kit shortages, and the FCT faces gaps in second- and third-line drugs along with testing kits.

Experts emphasize that testing is the entry point to HIV care.

Dr. Dan Onwujekwe, a TB/HIV specialist, said, “Without test kits, we cannot identify infected individuals or provide timely treatment, which could increase transmission and drug resistance.”

The funding crisis stems from cuts to the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has supported HIV testing, treatment, and community programs in Nigeria for decades.

According to UNAIDS, the halt threatens millions of lives globally and risks reversing gains made in HIV control.

In response, the Nigerian government, through NACA, has approved a $200 million intervention fund and launched initiatives to boost domestic production of ARVs and diagnostic kits.

However, shortages persist in many regions, particularly affecting pediatric HIV care, second- and third-line ARTs, and community outreach services.

While Lagos State has maintained drug and test kit availability, other states continue to grapple with gaps in both testing and treatment services.

Health experts warn that continued reliance on foreign donors without robust local manufacturing of drugs and test kits leaves Nigeria vulnerable.

Prof. Lawrence Ogbonnaya of Ebonyi State University stressed the urgency of domestic solutions: “It is high time Nigeria produces its own test kits and drugs. Dependence on imported supplies is no longer sustainable. We risk losing the gains made over decades if this continues.”

Efforts to get comments from NACA’s Director-General were unsuccessful, as Dr. Temitope Ilori is currently abroad.

A police inspector serving at the Ekiadolor Area Command in Edo State was shot dead on Friday by gunmen during a routine stop-and-search operation in Benin, the state capital.

CSP Moses Yamu, spokesperson for the Edo Police Command, confirmed the incident in a statement released to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to Yamu, the attack occurred around 12:00 pm when an unregistered black Lexus SUV with heavily tinted windows approached a checkpoint but refused to stop after being flagged down.

“The suspicious actions of the vehicle’s occupants led officers to conduct further checks. Tragically, one of the occupants opened fire at close range, killing the Inspector instantly, before fleeing the scene,” he said.

Following the incident, Edo State Police Commissioner Monday Agbonika has ordered a full-scale investigation and launched an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators.

All intelligence and operational resources are being deployed to apprehend the suspects.

Yamu urged the public to assist law enforcement by providing credible information, particularly about any vehicle matching the suspect description.

Residents can report tips to the nearest police station or via the command’s emergency lines: 08037646272 or 08077773721.

He reassured citizens that the command remains committed to protecting lives and property, and security measures have been intensified across the state as the yuletide season approaches.