Friday, August 29, 2025 - A cholera outbreak in Bukkuyum district of Zamfara State has led to the death of eight people and infected over 200 others in 11 communities.
The residents and local officials gave the figures
yesterday.
Cholera, a water-borne disease, is common in Nigeria, which
is attributed to lack of clean water in rural areas and urban slums.
The affected communities, including Nasarawa-Burkullu,
Gurusu, and Adabka, have been overwhelmed, with many patients treated at home
due to the lack of primary healthcare facilities.
"We have over 21 patients presently admitted, although
three died due to delays in reaching Nasarawa General Hospital," Muhammad
Jibci, village head of Gurusu, told Reuters by phone late yesterday.
Ya'u Umar, another resident from the affected communities,
said 53 people were infected in his village.
"We don't have medicine or drips. Bandits prevent us
from going to the city," he said.
Zamfara is the epicentre of attacks by armed men, known
locally as bandits, where rising violence in recent months has made travel and
farming dangerous. Gangs routinely abduct villagers and travellers for ransom
and extort farming communities.
Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi, a federal lawmaker, called for
urgent action from the state government and international non-governmental
organisations (NGOs). "Any delay will cost more lives, especially among
women and children," he said, urging the deployment of emergency response
teams and cholera treatment centres.
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