A cholera outbreak has struck six local government areas in Niger State, leaving at least 13 people dead and more than 236 others undergoing treatment in hospitals, according to government health officials.
The waterborne disease was first detected on Sunday in Shiroro Local Government Area, but it has since rapidly spread to Bosso, Minna, Magama, Bida, and Munya councils.
The development has sparked public concern and triggered an emergency response from state authorities.
Dr Ibrahim Dangana, the state’s Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, confirmed the outbreak during a press briefing on Wednesday.
“We have established treatment and isolation centres and commenced an intensive public awareness campaign,” he said.
The sensitisation campaign, he noted, is targeting various religious and traditional institutions, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Islamic leaders, and rulers across Niger’s eight emirates.
As part of the government’s response, an isolation centre has been reopened at the old building of the Senator Idris Ibrahim Kuta Primary Healthcare Centre located along Old Airport Road in Minna.
Dr Dangana praised Governor Umaru Bago for promptly mobilising resources to confront the crisis and also recognised the support of donor partners.
In a separate statement, Dr Ibrahim Idris, the Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Tertiary Healthcare, identified Minna, Bosso, and Shiroro as the worst-hit areas.
“We are concentrating efforts on the epicentres of transmission while expanding surveillance in all affected councils,” he said.
Authorities are urging the public to adopt proper sanitation practices, refrain from open defecation, and drink only safe water.
Although no new deaths have been reported as of the time of writing, officials warn that the situation remains precarious if strict hygiene measures are not followed.