A cholera outbreak in Bukkuyum district, Zamfara state, has killed at least eight people and infected more than 200 across 11 rural communities, residents and local officials said on Thursday, as insecurity and scarce clinics deepen the crisis.
The affected areas include Nasarawa-Burkullu, Gurusu and Adabka, where many patients are being treated at home due to the absence of primary healthcare. “We have over 21 patients admitted, and three died after delays reaching Nasarawa General Hospital,” said Muhammad Jibci, the village head of Gurusu.
Another resident, Ya’u Umar, said 53 people were sick in his village. “We don’t have medicine or drips. Bandits prevent us from going to the city,” he added.
Zamfara, the epicentre of bandit attacks in northwest Nigeria, has seen travel and farming grow increasingly dangerous, with gangs frequently abducting villagers and extorting farming communities.
Federal lawmaker Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi urged the state government and international NGOs to deploy emergency response teams and set up cholera treatment centres, warning that any delay would cost more lives, particularly among women and children.
State health authorities have not yet issued an official statement.