An unidentified illness has reportedly claimed the lives of five students at Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero (KSUSTA).
Students speaking anonymously revealed that four students died last week under mysterious circumstances, while another passed away on Sunday after falling ill overnight.
A source noted that World Health Organisation (WHO) officials visited the university last week for an awareness campaign on meningitis but did not confirm whether the disease was linked to the deaths of two students who had died before their arrival.
According to Channels Television, the university’s registrar, Maimaru Alhaji Tilli, confirmed the deaths of four students based on university 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 they have advised that there is a need to decongest students’ accommodation,” he stated.
Tilli stated that he had formally contacted the Commissioner for Higher Education, Isah Abubakar Tunga, for guidance on preventing further fatalities.
A student leader also confirmed the deaths and disclosed that the Students’ Union Government (SUG) had written to the university management, requesting a temporary closure of the institution to avert more casualties.
