Approximately 20 students have tragically lost their lives due to a meningitis outbreak in several boarding public schools in Potiskum, Fika, and Fune local government areas of Yobe State.
Reports from Daily Trust indicate that the fatalities occurred in Government Science Technical College, Government Girls Science Technical College, and Federal Government Girls College, all situated in Potiskum LG.
Affected students have been admitted to the Specialist Hospital in Potiskum, where they are receiving treatment and responding positively.
Confirming the outbreak, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, stated that Governor Mai Mala Buni has instructed the state Ministry of Education to temporarily relocate to Potiskum to address the situation effectively.
Dr. Idris outlined the measures being taken to combat the outbreak, including continuous monitoring of students’ health conditions, deployment of ambulances to schools for emergencies, and round-the-clock surveillance by designated teachers.
He further disclosed that 17 students from Yobe state government-owned schools and one student from the Federal Government Girls College have succumbed to the disease. Additionally, cases have been reported in schools in Fika and Fune LGAs, bringing the total number of deaths to 20 across primary and secondary schools in the state.
Governor Buni has directed the Ministry of Health to dispatch medical teams to investigate the outbreak, provide necessary medication, and ensure the well-being of affected students. Temporary isolation centers have been established, and efforts are ongoing to ensure that all students receive appropriate care until they are deemed fit for return.
