News

NCDC Confirms 80 Deaths From 413 Lassa Fever Cases In 11 States

Published

10 months ago

February 24, 2025

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has reported 80 deaths from 413 confirmed Lassa fever cases across 11 states during Epidemiological Week 6 (Feb. 3–9, 2025).

The NCDC disclosed this on its website, noting that the case fatality rate (CFR) had risen to 19.4 per cent, up from 17.5 per cent in the same period in 2024.

The latest Lassa Fever Situation Report revealed that 73 per cent of confirmed cases came from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi states, with Ondo leading at 34 per cent, followed by Edo 21 per cent and Bauchi 18 per cent.

It said a total of 63 local government areas in these 11 states had recorded confirmed cases.

The NCDC said while no new healthcare worker infections were reported, delayed case presentations had contributed to the rising fatality rate.

The NCDC pointed to poor health-seeking behaviour, high treatment costs, and limited awareness in high-burden communities as major challenges.

To address the outbreak, the NCDC had activated the National Lassa Fever Multi-Sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) to coordinate efforts.

The NCDC stated that it was also collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE) to improve diagnosis, treatment, and outbreak response.

The agency urged Nigerians to take preventive measures, including maintaining proper hygiene, avoiding contact with rodent droppings, and seeking medical attention early if symptoms like fever, sore throat, and unexplained bleeding occur.

The NCDC further urged Nigerians to reduce their risk of infection by following these measures: store food properly in sealed containers to prevent rat contamination.

The NCDC stated that Lassa fever is preventable and encouraged Nigerians to stay informed and take action to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Up Next

Full List: Multichoice Announces New Price Hike For DStv, GOtv Packages

Don't Miss

You Lied About Dele Giwa’s Death, IBB Told

Comments

News

Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt

Published

11 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.

Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.

Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.

According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.

Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.

He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.

The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.

“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.

“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement reads.

News

Shehu Sani Reacts To Trump’s Military Strikes In Nigeria

Published

11 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Former lawmaker, senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, saying foreign powers cannot permanently handle the country’s security challenges.

Sani made the remarks on Friday via his X handle while responding to a post by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, which indicated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

According to him, if the reported strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was justifiable, given the threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.

He described terrorists operating in parts of northern Nigeria as “cancerous cells,” stressing that they survive through violence and should be confronted decisively.

Sani also dismissed narratives suggesting that terrorist attacks target only one religious group, describing such claims as false and misleading.

He said: “If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the ‘Nigerian Authorities’ as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action.

“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country.They live by the sword.The narrative that the evil terrorists only targets one faith, remains absolutely false and misleading.

“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complimentarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”