The National Bureau of Statistics says HIV and AIDS claimed 3,209 lives in the country between 2007 and 2010. In a statement in Abuja, Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr Yemi Kale, said 738 lives were lost in 2007; 972 in 2008; 800 in 2009 and 619 in 2010.

Breakdown of the figures showed 632 of those who died were from Edo State, while Zamfara State did not record any death from the disease during the period. The statement said that the deaths recorded were out of a total of 199,589 HIV and AIDS cases reported around the country during the period.

On malaria, it said of the 21.7 million cases that were reported during the period, 40,738 deaths were recorded. Of the 40,738 deaths, Katsina State recorded the highest (8,053 deaths) and Osun State, with 43 deaths, the lowest. It said that 10,843 persons lost their lives to the disease in 2007; 13,491 in 2008; 12,096 in 2009 and 4,308 in 2010