Heavy metal poisoning in Sokoto: 34 hospitalised

At least 34 people in Sokoto have been hospitalised due to an outbreak of heavy metal poisoning in the state. According to the Saturday PUNCH, the victims are mainly farmers from the Tureta Local Government Area. However, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Wurno, said that additional cases have been reported in several local government areas, with some patients receiving palliative care at general hospitals. A high-level meeting has been convened to establish effective case management and containment measures. All principal health officials have been alerted, and medical supplies have been dispatched to affected areas. Dr Wurno added that the source of the poisoning is still unclear and that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is conducting tests to identify it. Previous research has pointed to contamination from heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium. Local authorities are waiting for scientific confirmation of the cause before implementing further preventive measures. There has been speculation about possible links to illegal mining activities. However, Dr Wurno dismissed it saying that potential regulatory actions would be taken only after obtaining proper and conclusive scientific evidence.