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MSF Launches Emergency Measles Vaccination Campaign in Zurmi, Zamfara State
MSF Launches Emergency Measles Vaccination Campaign in Zurmi, Zamfara State
By: Michael Mike
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in collaboration with Zamfara state Ministry of Health and Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA) has launched an emergency measles vaccination campaign in Zurmi LGA, following an increase in the number of children suffering from the disease that has already claimed the lives of 24 children this year.
Most of the children who died were under five years old and had not been vaccinated.
The six-day campaign, which began today, 8 July, is targeting children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. The goal is to stop the spread of measles quickly and prevent more deaths. During the campaign, MSF teams will also check children for signs of malnutrition using a simple arm measurement (MUAC) and refer those who are undernourished to nearby health centres for treatment.
As of early May, more than 1,600 suspected measles cases have been reported across all 11 wards in Zurmi. The number of cases is much higher than usual and has passed the level considered an epidemic. Many of the children who became seriously ill had other health problems like eye infections, malaria, and poor nutrition, which made their condition worse. The death rate is currently 1.2%.
To reach as many children as possible, MSF is using both fixed vaccination sites and mobile teams that can travel to remote and hard-to-reach areas. The aim is to vaccinate at least 95% of children in the target age group to protect the wider community and stop the outbreak.
A previous vaccination campaign in June 2024 only reached 59% of children due to a shortage of vaccines and security issues in some areas. The current outbreak is worst in communities like Zurmi town, Dauran Birnin Tsaba, Mayasa Kuturu, and Rukudawa, where regular vaccination services are limited and access to healthcare is difficult.
“Children in Zurmi are facing a double crisis of disease and hunger,” said Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, MSF’s Head of Mission. “We are seeing a sharp rise in measles cases, along with high levels of malnutrition, which makes children even more vulnerable.”
A nutrition screening carried out in June 2024 showed that more than one in four children in Zurmi were undernourished, and over 4% were severely malnourished, well above emergency levels set by the World Health Organisation. The MSF-run treatment centre at Zurmi General Hospital continues to receive more and more children with serious nutrition-related complications.
MSF is calling on all partners and health authorities to support this urgent response and help ensure that every child in Zurmi gets the care and protection they need.
MSF Launches Emergency Measles Vaccination Campaign in Zurmi, Zamfara State
Police officer dies, 17 injured in auto crash along Potiskum–Bauchi road
By: Zagazola Makama
A senior police officer has died while 17 other passengers sustained injuries following a road accident along the Potiskum–Bauchi highway in Yobe State.
Sources said the crash occurred at about 3:15 p.m. on Feb. 21 near the bye-pass roundabout area of PKM on the outskirts of Potiskum.
The vehicle, a Toyota Hummer Bus belonging to Borno Express and conveying 18 passengers from Kaduna to Maiduguri, reportedly lost control after the rear tyre rim on the passenger side suddenly detached.
According to the sources , the driver veered off the road into a bush, resulting in fatal and multiple injuries.
One of the passengers, ACP Abubakar Ibrahim Balteh, 45, attached to the Borno State Police Command, sustained a severe head injury and died on the spot.
Two male and two female passengers escaped unhurt, while 13 others suffered serious injuries of varying degrees.
The injured victims and the deceased were evacuated to the General Hospital Potiskum for treatment and autopsy.
Police officer dies, 17 injured in auto crash along Potiskum–Bauchi road
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA humiliate Lakurawa terrorists
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have neutralised several of suspected Lakurawa terrorist elements following a failed attack on Dadinkowa community in Kebbi State.
Local intelligence sources said the armed group attempted to raid a local market in the early hours of Sunday and blocked a major access road into the community to facilitate the operation.
The sources disclosed that security forces responded swiftly after receiving distress alerts and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat.
According to the sources, several of the assailants were neutralised during the encounter, while others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
The attempted market raid was successfully foiled, preventing potential civilian casualties and destruction of property.
Troops have since intensified patrols and clearance operations around Dadinkowa and adjoining areas to track fleeing elements and stabilise the security environment.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA humiliate Lakurawa terrorists
One killed as suspected IPOB/ESN militants attack Ogbakoba Market in Anambra
By: Zagazola Makama
A 15-year-old boy was killed while security operatives repelled an attack by suspected members of the proscribed IPOB/ESN militia at Ogbakoba Market Arena in Anambra State.
Sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 21 at about 1:40 p.m., when a group of armed hoodlums emerged from a dense forest camp at Amiyi and opened sporadic fire at market-goers, apparently attempting to kidnap or rob residents.
A joint task force patrol team stationed at Amiyi responded swiftly, engaging the attackers in a fierce gun duel that forced them to retreat into the forest with bullet wounds. The injured boy was rushed to the village hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival. His body was deposited in the morgue for autopsy and preservation.
The sources added that later the same day at about 8:30 p.m., the armed group resurfaced near the community, snatching a shuttle bus with registration number HAL 987 XA and a GSM phone belonging to one Mr. Kinsley Iwunze of Okpotuno Odekpe, Ogbaru LGA.
Security operatives immediately dispatched teams to the scene, but the hoodlums had fled. Authorities said an aggressive manhunt was ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
One killed as suspected IPOB/ESN militants attack Ogbakoba Market in Anambra
Police officer dies, 17 injured in auto crash along Potiskum–Bauchi road
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA humiliate Lakurawa terrorists
One killed as suspected IPOB/ESN militants attack Ogbakoba Market in Anambra
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