Benue Govt shuts School after outbreak of strange illness

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has ordered the closure of a secondary school, Vaatia College, in Makurdi, the capital of the state, following the outbreak of a strange disease.

At least nine students have been reported paralyzed following the outbreak of the strange illness and some have been hospitalised at Madonna Hospital, a private clinic in the state.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Joseph Ngbea confirmed the outbreak to Channels Television on Thursday.

He stated that some of the students have been discharged while few others are still hospitalised.

Explaining the possible cause of the disease, the Commissioner stated that the causes are multi-factorial and can be as a result of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection.

Doctor Ngbea, however, allayed the fears of the likely spread of the disease to other schools, considering that students of the college who may have siblings at other schools have been sent back to their families as the school remains closed.