Lead poisoning kills 27 children in Niger State

The Federal Government has confirmed the death of 27 children in a fresh outbreak of lead poisoning from illegal mining in Niger State.

The Minister of State for Health, Fidelis Nwankwo, stated this yesterday during a press briefing on in Abuja. He said 63 cases of the outbreak had been confirmed by the government in the state while many animals in affected communities had died.

He said there is palpable fear among neighbouring communities in Kaduna State. However, he said the disease is not contagious.

The communities affected are Shikira, Magiro Ward and Kawo, all in Rafi Local Government, according to the Director of Port Health in the ministry, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, who led the Federal Government’s team to the areas.

Gwarzo emphasized that the outbreak was deadlier than the one which broke out in Zamfara in 2011, in which 400 people were killed.