Seven people have died following an outbreak of Buruli ulcer in parts of Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

The member representing Munya Constituency in the Niger State House of Assembly, Dogari Mathew Daje, disclosed this at the 2026 Annual Stakeholders’ Flood Sensitisation and Awareness Forum organised by North South Power Company Limited, managers of the Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station, in Minna.

Daje said the outbreak, which began about six months ago, has affected Guni, Kuchi, Gini and parts of Sarkin-Pawa wards.

According to him, the disease initially claimed three lives, but the death toll has now risen to seven, while many other residents are still battling the illness in their homes.

He said he had alerted the relevant ministries and government agencies, urging them to isolate infected persons and intensify efforts to contain the outbreak.

“For over six months, the disease has been there and we have continued to raise the alarm, calling the attention of the executive arm of government.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Murtala Bagana, confirmed that the ministry had commenced measures to isolate affected persons and contain the outbreak.

Also speaking, the Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health, Dr Ibrahim Idris, said emergency response measures had been activated.

He disclosed that a modern isolation centre had been completed at the Dr Ibrahim Idris Kuta Primary Healthcare Centre in Minna to manage outbreaks of infectious diseases across the state.

“With the available facilities, the state is prepared to respond to disease outbreaks. It is standard practice to isolate infected persons to prevent further spread of diseases,” he said. (Daily Trust)