Metro
20 Students Die As Deadly Disease Surfaces In Yobe
A deadly disease suspected of being Meningitis has reportedly claimed the lives of at least 20 students from several boarding public schools in Yobe State.
On Tuesday evening revealed that the disease has spread in Potiskum, Fika, and Fune local government areas of the state.
According to Daily Trust, the latest fatalities occurred in Government Science Technical College, Government Girls Science Technical College, and Federal Government Girls College, all located in Potiskum LG.
A source who confirmed the latest development to journalists revealed that the death toll stands at 20 students, with most of the affected individuals receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital in Potiskum and showing signs of improvement.
Responding to the incident, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Muhammad Sani Idris, revealed the outbreak and the suspected cause of meningitis, stating that 20 students had lost their lives.
In response to the situation, Governor Mai Mala Buni has instructed the state Ministry of Education to temporarily relocate to Potiskum.
The commissioner further verified that a number of students were admitted to Potiskum Specialist Hospital.
He said, ‘‘This disease is from God and you can’t run away from it once it comes, but we must wake up to fight this outbreak to curtail it from spreading to other areas. After this outbreak hit the Government Science Technical College Potiskum and two other secondary schools, I, as Commissioner, my Permanent Secretary, and the Executive Secretary of the state’s Science Technical Board, as well as the chairman of the Teaching Service Board, have been relocated to Potiskum temporarily.
‘‘I had a meeting with the principals of these three secondary schools to join hands together and fight this disease. We have parked out ambulances in all these schools for emergency cases. We also assigned three teachers to work for three hours in the classes checking the conditions of these students who are not affected.
‘After three hours, another three teachers will take over from them, checking the health condition of these unaffected students, asking them if they are not feeling fine or have new reactions in their bodies. We are doing this 24-hour service as proactive measures to ensure that we curtail this disease.
‘‘At least 17 students have died in two secondary schools belonging to Yobe state government while one lady from the Federal Government Girls College also died as a result of this disease.
‘‘I cannot give you the number of the affected students now because there are students who are in isolation centres in their schools. We also have some students who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital due to their health conditions.
‘‘We received a report that this disease has spread to some schools in Fika and Fune LGAs, but so far, we have a record of 20 students who died in both primary and secondary schools in the state after finding new cases in Gadaka and Jajere villages which are under Fika and Fune LGAs.
‘His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni had directed the Ministry of Health to send their medical team (doctors and technicians) to investigate the cause of this outbreak and provide drugs and other medication. We thank God they (students) are doing well, we are hoping that things will get better.”
Dr. Idriss highlighted the significance of guaranteeing the welfare of every student and discovering efficient solutions for those impacted. He emphasized the need to establish temporary isolation facilities within schools to offer students immediate medical assistance.
‘We have temporarily relocated to Potiskum until all the students are in good health. We established temporary isolation centres. Ensuring their well-being is our responsibility. So we will not relent in providing all the necessary support,” he added.
Three persons, two confirmed to be from the same family, are feared drowned in a boat mishap in Niger State.
The incident occured in Lapai Local Government Area of the state.
Vanguard gathered that the boat was overloaded with over 200 bags of rice and capsized about 9p.m., on the fateful day as a result of heavy windstorm.
While some claimed that many people drowned during the incident, a source confirmed that only three persons travelled in the boat because the boat was already overloaded and that they all drowned.
It was further gathered that the bags of rice were purchased in Lapai council and were being ferried to Lokoja, Kogi State for sale.
The source said: “The boat was overloaded with bags of rice from our area-Lapai thereby occupying all available spaces in the canoe. Two of those who went on the journey are of the same parents and believed to have most of the bags of rice being transported for sale.
“The bags of rice are more than 200 and the storm which started on their way must have also contributed to the sudden accident.”
Public Relations Officer, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, Hussaini Ibrahim, when contacted said the agency was yet to get details of the incident and promised to issue a statement later.
Corpses of those feared dead were yet to be recovered at press time.
The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a Herbalist identified as Murtala Musa, over the death and mutilation of an 11-year-old boy in Kodomun village, Demsa Local Government Area.
SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, Police Public Relations Officer in a statement said the incident was reported to the police in Demsa on the 13th of April, 2025, by the Village Head of Kodomun and one Fancy Alifas, the Mother of their Victim.
“She reported that her son, Yangapwa David, aged 11, was taken to the said herbalist for treatment but unfortunately died while in his custody.”
According to her, arrangements were made to convey the body home, during which time the corpse was left in the herbalist’s room.
Shockingly, upon her return, she discovered that her son’s left eye had been removed.
“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives swiftly visited the scene and arrested the suspect.”
The Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, *CP Dankombo Morris assured members of the public that the Command will leave no stone unturned in ensuring justice is served.
The suspect remains in custody as the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, has been detailed to conduct a discreet investigation.
The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the death of a man identified simply as Peter, who was killed by a mob in Bauchi metropolis over allegations of dog theft.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Ahmed Wakili.
According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on April 9, 2025, and involved a mob assault on two individuals accused of stealing a dog.
Wakili said the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into what he described as an “egregious act of jungle justice.”
The second victim, identified as Dokagk Danladi, aged 38, was also attacked by a group of youths in a secluded area behind Lushi. He sustained severe machete wounds to the head and was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
Peter, whose surname is yet to be identified, was found at the scene and was confirmed dead by medical personnel.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area has led a team of detectives to the crime scene to gather evidence and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
CP Aliyu condemned the act, describing it as barbaric and a threat to the nation’s legal framework. He warned residents against taking the law into their own hands.
“No individual has the authority to brutalize a suspect. Anyone apprehended for any alleged crime should be handed over to law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution,” the Commissioner stated.
He appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with the police by providing relevant information that could aid the investigation.
“The Command is resolute in its pursuit of justice and is committed to ensuring that all those involved in this heinous act are brought to book,” Aliyu added.
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