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Tag: Death toll

  • Lassa fever: Death toll hits 101

    Lassa fever: Death toll hits 101

    The Lassa fever outbreak in the country has killed 101 people, as West Africa battles to contain a flare-up of the virus, according to data from the nation’s health authorities yesterday.

    Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) statistics showed that reported cases of the hemorrhagic disease — confirmed and suspected — stood at 175 with a total of 101 deaths since August.

    “As at today, 19 (including Abuja) states are currently following up contacts or have suspected cases with laboratory results pending or laboratory confirmed cases,” the NCDC said in a statement.

    Deaths from the virus were recorded in the nation’s political capital, Abuja, Lagos and 14 other states, the NCDC said.

    Although the federal ministry of health had said the virus had been brought under control, there are fears the actual scale of the outbreak is under-reported.

    The NCDC said officials have distributed large quantities of drugs, including Ribavirin tablets and bottles of hand sanitizers across the country to tackle the disease.

    It, however, reported that logistics support and delayed reporting of cases by states are dogging the fight against Lassa fever.

    The outbreak was only announced in January — months after the first case occurred in August — with subsequent deaths reported in 10 states, including Abuja.

    Last year, 12 people died in Nigeria out of 375 infected while in 2012 there were 1,723 cases and 112 deaths, according to the NCDC.

    In neighbouring Benin, at least nine people have died in a Lassa outbreak, with a total of 20 suspected cases, health authorities said Tuesday.

    The number of Lassa fever infections across West Africa every year is between 100,000 and 300,000 with about 5,000 deaths, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    The disease belongs to the same family as Marburg and Ebola, two deadly viruses that lead to infections with fever, vomiting and, in worse case scenarios, hemorrhagic bleeding.

    Its name is from the town of Lassa in Borno State where it was first identified in 1969.

    Endemic to the region, Lassa fever is asymptomatic in 80 percent of cases but for others it can cause internal bleeding, especially when diagnosed late.

    The virus is spread through contact with food or household items contaminated with rats’ urine or faeces or after coming in direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.

     

  • Kano blast: Death toll rises to 19

    The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Alhaji Sani Sidi has confirmed that 19 people lost their lives following the deadly GSM market blast in Kano.

    Sidi said on Thursday at Aminu Kano teaching hospital (AKTH) while presenting drugs and other consumables to the hospitals treating victims of the blast who had sustained various degree of injury.

    According to him, it was the mandate of the national emergency management (NEMA) to quickly respond to emergency situation, adding that the kano blast was an episode considered to be serious by the federal government.

    The director general of NEMA who was represented by Director Search and rescue, Air Commodore Charles Otegbede stated that the success recorded in rescuing victims of the blast that has survived was as result of effective collaboration between NEMA officials on ground and other stakeholders.

    He stressed that the feat will not have been achieved without government commitment and sincerity of purpose.

    He also appreciated the concern of some good Samaritans in donating bloods to the victims of the blast, affirming that it was NEMA’s mission to ensure that all that was needed is procured.

    Receiving the donation on behalf of the three hospitals, the Chief Medical Director of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Dr. Sani Mijinyawa said the quick response by NEMA was an effort worth appreciating, adding that with judicious management of the drugs, donated in the past by NEMA victims of Wednesday blast were poised to benefit immensely.

    The Chief Medical Director who was represented by Director Pharmacy of the hospital, Pharmacist Habibu Uba Ringim described the gesture as timely, saying the federal government should be commended for showing concern to those afflicted by the deadly suicide attack.

     

     

  • Nigeria’s Hajj death toll hits 199

    Nigeria’s Hajj death toll hits 199

    The death toll of Nigerians in the Jamarat stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, has risen to 199, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said last night.

    Commissioner Planning, Research and Library Service of the commission, Dr. Saleh Okenwa, who spoke in Makkah put the number of the injured at 36. He said 121 are still missing.

    According to him, Sokoto State with 79 dead and 59 missing tops the Nigerian victims’ list followed by Kano State which lost 20 pilgrims.

    The commissioner said only five Nigerians are still on admission at the hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

    He listed other affected states as:  Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and the FCT. They either lost pilgrims or have their pilgrims declared missing.

    The death toll has been risen as soon as more bodies are discovered. The figure is expected to rise further when those declared missing have been identified from among the bodies.

    “The number of the dead from the state contingents is160 made up of 70 male, 84 female, four male officials and two female officials. The injured are 33 (18 male and 15 female) 110 are still missing (61 male, 48 female) and one male official.

    “The tour operators recorded 39 deaths (25 male and 14 female), two were injured and among the five on admission, while 11 (eight male and three female) are still missing,” he said.

  • Jos building collapse: Death toll rises to 10

    The number of death following the collapse of an Islamic school in Jos has risen to 10 as more victims died in hospital.

    Some of the students rushed to hospital after the incidence died while receiving medical attention at various hospitals in the city.

    There are about 25 victims who were rushed to the hospitals after they were recovered from the rubles of the building.

    Two of the victims who are children died at the early hour of yesterday in Plateau hospital. Three other died at a hospital in Bukuru.

    An Islamic school called Abu Naib Islamic School located along Gero road in Bukuru collapsed while students who are mostly teenagers were receiving lectures Sunday evening.

    North Central Zonal coordinator of the National Emergency Mangement Agency NEMA, Muhammad Abdulsalam had on Sunday night announced the death of four students while sources closed to the scene gave a figure of 8 deaths.

    NEMA said when the incident happened “four children were   confirmed dead while twenty five others sustained injuries and were taken to the specialists’ hospital but one other person died making it five.”

    The Chief Medical director of Plateau specialist hospital, Philemon Golwa also confirmed to our correspondent that two survivors died at the hospital.

    One of the survivor Mamunat Mohammed, a ten year old on admission at the   Plateau specialist hospital said, “We were in Class on Sunday evening receiving Quranic lessons, when we heard a loud noise and then I found myself on this hospital bed. My waist is broken, my legs aches,” she said.

    Mrs. Zuwabia Ibrahim, a mother of a victim said her daughter Amina Ibrahim 10 year’s old, left home at about 5pm on Sunday to attend Quranic lessons not too far from her house in Bukuru.

    According to her, “about one hour thirty minutes later we got a call from our friend that the school building had collapsed on the children. I immediately called my husband and we rushed to the scene and was told that our daughter was alive and had been rushed to the hospital but badly injured.”

     

  • Death toll rises to 27 in military, Fulani clash in Taraba

    Death toll rises to 27 in military, Fulani clash in Taraba

    •Two soldiers’ bodies recovered 

    The death toll in Karimlamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, where the military carried out what some people called a reprisal attack, has risen to 27.

    About 84 persons have been killed in communal clashes in Takum at the same time.

    At least 25 persons were feared killed in Karimlamido at the weekend, following a retaliatory attack by soldiers who lost six of their colleagues in an attack by Fulani militia.

    It was learnt that local militia, last Thursday, killed nine soldiers on a peace-keeping mission in Amar and Kambari villages of Karimlamido Local Government Area. Six bodies were recovered while the bodies of three others were missing.

    It was expected that the military would retaliate as they searched for the missing soldiers.

    When they started the search, they reportedly recovered two more bodies.

    But 27 persons were feared dead.

    It was also learnt that the militia opened fire when the soldiers were combing the area in search of their missing (dead) colleagues.

    But, this time, they returned “fire for fire,” killing 27 of them at the spot. Two of the injured died yesterday.

    Many residents were fleeing the area when soldiers said they might return to Karimlamido to “intensify the search” for other missing soldier.

    Karimlamido Local Government Chairman Bobboi Bello Bendu confirmed the gun battle between the military and the Fulani militia.

    He said two villages were razed during the battle.

     

  • Konduga battle: Boko Haram commander killed

    •Death toll reaches 200
    •Air strikes continue as troops secure Konduga
    •30 AK 47 rifles, 3GPM guns, four vehicles recovered

    Death toll on the side of Boko Haram in the Konduga, Borno State battle has reached 200, it was gathered yesterday.

    Latest report on the clash in which soldiers repelled the sect’s advance on Maiduguri, the state capital, said a Boko Haram commander known only as Amir was among the dead.

    Also killed, according to Associated Press (AP), were a video camera man working for the sect, and a suicide bomber.

    The   military is intensifying the air strikes on Bama, Gwoza, and Madagali axis in hot pursuit of the insurgents.

    Military sources said preliminary mop up of the Friday operation in Konduga indicated that the insurgents lost over 200 members.

    But only four soldiers were wounded in the three-hour encounters in Konduga.

    The claims could not be independently verified last night.

    It was also gathered that a large cache of arms was recovered from the fallen and fleeing insurgents in Konduga.

    These include three Hilux vehicles and one Buffalo, three General Purpose Machine guns, over 30 AK 47 rifles and two global positioning systems.

    It was learnt that the military has adopted a “no retreat, no surrender” method against the insurgents.

    Konduga, sources said, has been fully secured by the troops who made headway on Friday with more military hardware including sophisticated jets and battle-inclined helicopters.

    The troops are said to be continuing their air strikes on the camps and cells of Boko Haram in Bama, Gwoza in Borno State and vulnerable points in Adamawa State.

    The source said: “The mop-up operation has shown that more than 200 insurgents were killed in Konduga. Among those who fell in Konduga was one of the ace commanders of the sect.

    “Four Nigerian soldiers were wounded in action. The entire area is still being combed for terrorists who may have escaped with bullet wounds. Morale of Nigerian troops remains very high, according to the military sources.

    “We have also recovered many arms and ammunition from the fallen and fleeing insurgents. Some of these are three Hilux and one Buffalo vehicles with mounted Anti-aircraft guns, three General Purpose Machine guns, over 30 AK 47 rifles and two global positioning systems among other items.

    “We have decided to release some of the pictures only for the purpose of reassuring our compatriots that the military is capable and ready to defend them.”

    Another military source also indicated that troops are making further inroads in Bama and Gwoza with air strikes.

    The second source said: “Troops have launched intense air strikes on Bama, Gwoza and all known cells and camps of the insurgents in that axis. Jet fighters are taking charge in Madagali, Gulak and other vulnerable towns and villages in Adamawa State.

    “Within the next few days, we will take over these towns. You see, these insurgents relocated to Gwoza because Sambisa Forest is no longer habitable in the rainy season like this. We will smoke them out wherever they are.

    “We know they will be plotting reprisals but we are more prepared for them than they would imagine. In fact, the air strikes have devastated and disorganised their rank and file.”

  • Death toll in Rivers boat mishap rises to 13

    Death toll in the Bonny River boat mishap of last week has risen to 13.

    A double engine Port Harcourt-bound passenger boat reportedly capsized in Bonny, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, on August 29.

    Thirteen people, including two children and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member on board were killed.

    Thirty-five passengers were said to have boarded the boat that morning at Bonny Jetty for Port Harcourt, although it was meant for 28 passengers.

    It was learnt that the boat capsized shortly after it left the jetty.

    Twenty-eight passengers were rescued immediately; 10 others, including two minors, were said to have died while 18 were rushed to hospitals.

    The other seven could not be found immediately.

    A source told our reporters yesterday that three more bodied were later found while the rest were believed to have been swept away by the tides.

    The police could not confirm yesterday the report of the three recovered bodies.

    Police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), could not be reached last night for comments.

    But the Chairman of the Eastern Zone of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Peter Igbifa, blamed the mishap on the neglect on marine transportation in the coastal states.

    In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, Igbifa said the frequent boat mishaps on the Southsouth rivers were the result of past governments’ insensitivity and negligent of marine transportation.

    He urged the Rotimi Amaechi administration to declare a state of emergency in Marine Transportation as he did in the Education sector.

    Igbifa sympathised with the families of those who died in mishap.

    The IYC leader said the body planned to set up a “Marine Task Force” that would patrol the waterways to check the excesses of marine transporters and forestall a recurrence.

    He hailed a former Chairman of Bonny Care Taker Committee (CDC), Adoye Wilcox, for his swift response to the incident, adding that this led to the survival of most of the passengers.

    Igbifa said: “I am deeply troubled about the frequent loss of lives of innocent Nigerians on our rivers. We blame the past Federal and state governments for this.

    “Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State is the hub of oil and gas activities in Nigeria. But our communities are neglected. Our only means of transportation is the water channels. Yet, because of negligence of past administrations, the channels are filled with wrecks, which cause havocs to our boats and movements on the water.

    “We are not happy over this. We are call on Governor Chibuike Amaechi to a declare state of emergency on the Marine Transport sector as he did in the Education sector. This will create safe and conducive environment for the sector…”

  • Ebola death toll passes 2,000 in West Africa, says WHO

    The World Health Organisation has said that more than 2,000 people have died since the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

    Four thousand people are thought to have been affected by the virus, according to a WHO document.

    The disease is rapidly spreading in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in West Africa.

    The data, however, does not include Nigeria, Senegal or Democratic Rupublic of Congo where a few cases had been found.

  • Death toll in Taraba crisis rises to 40

    The death toll in the renewed ethnic and religious crisis in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State has risen to 40.

    It was gathered yesterday that tension is also mounting in Wukari and other neighbouring towns.

    The crisis is r between Jukun/Tiv Christians and Hausa-Fulani Muslims.

    It was learnt that the crisis is being fueled by heavily-armed hired mercenaries.

    Trouble started when a Christian farmer and his son were allegedly attacked by insurgents suspected to be Muslims at the bank of River Benue.

    The attacked persons, though seriously wounded, were able to swim to safety. The news of the attack led to bloodletting.

    Taraba Police Command’s Spokesman, Joseph Kwaji, said police recovered 14 bodies, including two dead soldiers, when the violence died down.

    But a resident told The Nation they recovered 28 corpses.

    Eye-witnesses said over 40 persons might have been feared killed, adding that some of the bodies were yet to be recovered.

    “Some residents are still missing as I talk to you. Some died in the hospitals, some were killed and their bodies thrown into the bush or river after a string of reprisal attack,” he said.

    Sources revealed that soldiers, who arrived at the scene left almost immediately when two of their men were killed in cross-fires by the rioters.

    More residents fled the troubled town yesterday after over 20 houses were confirmed torched.

    But Kwaji said normalcy was beginning to return to the area.

    The southern Taraba district, particularly Ibi and Wukari local councils, had been the news since the beginning of the year.

    In June, over 100 persons were killed in a resurgence of violence in Ibi that spilled to Wukari.

    No fewer than 500 persons were injured and many homes destroyed.

    Senator representing Taraba south, Emmanuel Bwacha asked President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency to protect lives and property.

  • Boko Haram death toll

    Boko Haram death toll

    • 14 January: A car bomb exploded in Maiduguri killing as many as 43 people.

    • 19 January: Suspected Boko Haram gunmen attacked the village of Alau Ngawo Fatie, Borno State, killing 18 people.

    • 26 January: in Adamawa State, gunmen suspected of being Boko Haram members attacked a church in Waga Chakawa Village. Between 31 and 47 people were reportedly killed in the attack, including two policemen.

    • 26 January: Boko Haram attacked Kawuri village, Borno State, killing between 52 and 85 people.

    • 11 February: An attack by suspected Boko Haram members left more than 50 people dead in Konduga town, Borno state.

    • 16 February: Several villages in Adamawa State were attacked by Boko Haram members leaving 65 people dead.

    • 19 February: Between 60 and 90 people died when suspected Boko Haram gunmen attacked the palace of a traditional leader and a school in Bama in Borno State.

    • 25 February: Between 43 and 59 people were shot dead by suspected Boko Haram members in an attack on a school in Buni Yadi, Yobe State.

    • 26 February: Suspected Boko Haram gunmen killed 37 people in attacks on Kirchinga, Michika and Shuwa villages in Adamawa State. Military sources claimed to have killed six Boko Haram members.

    • 1 March: Two bombs were detonated in Maiduguri, Borno State, killing 52 people. Boko members were alleged to be responsible.

    • 1 March: 39 people were reportedly killed in an attack on Mainok village, Borno State by suspected Boko Haram members. The JTF ambushed Boko Haram members as they prepared to attack Mainok village, killing 40 insurgents.

    • 2 March: Mafa village in Borno State was reportedly attacked by suspected Boko Haram gunmen. They killed 29 people and destroyed several houses. A bomb left by the attackers was said to have been detonated later, killing two police officers.

    • 3 March: Suspected Boko Haram members attacked Jakana Village in the Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State and killed between 40 and 48 civilians.

    • 9 March: Nigeria’s military claimed to have killed over 210 Boko Haram members in raids on Boko Haram camps in the Sambisa forest, Borno State.

    • 14 March: Boko Haram attacked Giwa barracks in Maiduguri. More than 600 people, mainly former detainees, were killed in the attack and its aftermath.

    • 20 March: An improvised explosive device detonated in a market in Ngurosoye village killed at least 16 people. On the same day the military allegedly bombed Kayamla village, killing 10 residents.

    • 24 March: JTF killed 18 suspected Boko Haram members as they prepared to attack Bama and Ngurosoye towns.

    • In the last two weeks of March, the JTF has attacked Boko Haram camps in Borno State around Lake Chad, the Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Mountains. Reports in the Nigerian media indicate that hundreds of corpses have been seen transported away from those areas by military personnel. No precise figures have been received from the military. The camps attacked include Gombole, Mele, Kecheri, Dufrfada, Yuwe, Duguri, Polkime and Malafatori, among others.