An unidentified disease has reportedly claimed the lives of at least five students at Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, KSUSTA.
Some students of the university, who spoke to Channels Television on condition of anonymity, revealed that four students mysteriously died last week, while another passed away on Sunday after falling ill overnight. The institution has yet to release an official statement on the matter.
A source disclosed that officials from the World Health Organization, WHO, visited the university last week for an awareness campaign on the dangers of meningitis.
However, the officials did not confirm whether meningitis was responsible for the deaths of the two students who had died before their visit.
The university’s registrar, Maimaru Alhaji Tilli, confirmed the deaths of four students according to the institution’s records.
“Yes, four students have died according to our records, but we do not yet know the cause. The Ministry of Health has cautioned us and advised that there is a need to decongest students’ accommodation,” he stated.
Tilli added that he had formally written to the Commissioner for Higher Education, Isah Abubakar Tunga, seeking guidance on measures to prevent further fatalities.
A student leader also confirmed the deaths and revealed that the Students’ Union Government had written to the university management, urging them to shut down the institution to prevent more casualties.