A mysterious illness has claimed the lives of five students at Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero.

Sources close to the university, who requested anonymity due to the absence of an official statement from the institution, disclosed that four students died last week under unexplained circumstances, while a fifth passed away on Sunday after suddenly falling ill overnight.

Officials from the World Health Organization visited the campus last week to raise awareness about the dangers of meningitis, though they did not confirm whether the disease was linked to the recent fatalities.

Two of the students who passed away prior to the visit have not been definitively linked to meningitis.

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In a conversation with Channels Television, the university registrar, Maimaru Alhaji Tilli, acknowledged the deaths of four students, as recorded by the university.

“Yes, four students have died based on our records, but the cause is still unknown. The Ministry of Health has advised us on measures to address the situation, including reducing overcrowding in student accommodations,” he stated.

Tilli further explained that he had formally requested guidance from the Commissioner for Higher Education, Isah Abubakar Tunga, regarding possible steps to prevent further losses.

A student leader also confirmed the deaths and disclosed that the Students’ Union Government had petitioned the university’s administration, urging them to consider temporarily closing the institution to prevent additional fatalities.

Reported by Channels