Headlines
Tragedy in Kano: Four Sisters Die of Diphtheria in Two Weeks
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The small compound of the Maitama family in Hotoron Yan Dodo, Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State, once echoed with the laughter of children.
Today, silence hangs heavy in the air, broken only by the muffled sobs of a father who has buried four of his daughters in less than two weeks.
For Malam Yusuf Maitama, life has changed forever. “I buried them one after another. Four of my daughters in two weeks,” he says, his voice trembling as he recounts the tragedy. “No father should ever go through this.”
A disease few to recognized
It started innocently enough. His youngest child, a lively girl under five, woke up with fever and sore throat. A whitish membrane appeared in her throat — a warning sign of diphtheria, though the family didn’t recognize it at the time.
“She became weak very quickly,” Yusuf recalls. “We rushed her to the hospital, but she didn’t survive that same day.”
Just days later, tragedy struck again. His seven-year-old daughter developed similar symptoms. This time, the family hurried to seek medical care, but it was too late. She died within two days.
“At that point, neighbors began saying maybe it was spiritual. But the doctors told me clearly — it was diphtheria,” he says, his eyes glistening with tears.
Wthen hospital beds aren’t enough
Soon after, his third daughter fell ill. She was admitted to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where doctors warned that one of her kidneys was failing. Yet with no beds available, the family was forced to take her home temporarily.
“She died that very night,” Yusuf says, his voice heavy with regret.
Just days later, his fourth daughter also died, making the tally four funerals in less than 14 days. Only his eldest child survived, after receiving urgent medical treatment.
A community in fear
The Maitama tragedy has rippled across Hotoron Yan Dodo. Parents now live in fear, clutching their children tighter. Health workers have since moved in, fumigating the family house and vaccinating children in the neighborhood.
“This is a wake-up call for everyone,” says a community health volunteer. “When a disease wipes out almost a whole family, the entire community must pay attention.”
Diphtheria’s grip on Kano
The deaths come amid Kano’s ongoing battle with diphtheria, one of the deadliest vaccine-preventable diseases.
Since 2023, the state has recorded over 10,000 cases and nearly 1,000 deaths.
Health experts warn that low vaccination rates, delays in hospital visits, and poor health infrastructure are fueling the crisis.
A July 2025 study by the National Library of Medicine revealed that unvaccinated children face over double the risk of death compared to vaccinated ones. Even children with no vaccination records were found to have an 87% higher risk of death.
Government response
According to Kano State Ministry of Health spokesperson, Nablusi Abubakar Kofar Naisa, the majority of children who die from diphtheria are unvaccinated.
“If you hear of a death, it’s likely the child was not vaccinated. That’s the main issue. Immunization is free, yet many parents don’t take advantage of it,” he said.
The state government has since designated a special hospital for diphtheria cases, directed all hospitals to provide free treatment, and intensified vaccination campaigns.
A father’s unshakable loss
For Malam Yusuf, however, government statistics are far removed from his reality. His once lively home now feels hollow.
He remembers their laughter, the way they ran around the compound, the way the youngest always clung to his side. Now, he only has one daughter left.
“They were healthy. They were full of life. Then suddenly, they were gone,” he says, his voice breaking. “I still can’t believe it.”
The four small graves in Hotoron Yan Dodo stand as a stark reminder: diphtheria is not a forgotten disease. It is here, it is deadly, and it is preventable.
Until parents embrace immunization and health systems are strengthened, tragedies like that of the Maitama family may continue to haunt Kano.
Headlines
NAHCON Secures ₦19 Billion Cost Reduction for 2026 Hajj, Pilgrims to Save Over ₦200,000 Each
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a ₦19 billion cost reduction for the 2026 Hajj, following a successful negotiation with Saudi service providers and Nigeria’s State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on the outcome of his recent official visit to Saudi Arabia. He explained that the deal translates to a direct saving of more than ₦200,000 per pilgrim. Nigeria has been allocated 66,910 Hajj slots for the 2026 pilgrimage.
During the visit, NAHCON signed key service contracts with Mashariq Dhahabiyya for Masha’ir operations and Daleel Al-Ma’aleem for transportation. It also secured better accommodation and feeding arrangements in the Markaziyya area of Madinah at competitive rates.
Professor Sale further announced the official fares for the 2026 Hajj as follows:
Maiduguri/Yola: ₦8.12 million
Other northern states: ₦8.24 million
Southern states: ₦8.56 million
He stressed that State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards must remit 50 percent of the fares by October 8, 2025, while full payments from intending pilgrims are due by December 31, 2025.
“The deadlines are critical to enable early bookings and smooth operations,” he said, reaffirming NAHCON’s commitment to delivering a hitch-free Hajj exercise in 2026.
The NAHCON boss also appealed to the media for sustained support in sensitizing the public, noting that effective collaboration will ensure that the commission achieves its goals for Nigerians
… As Gov. Yusuf Condemns CP Bakori’s Partisan Conduct
… Demands His Immediate Removal for Sabotage, Unethical Behaviour
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has condemned in the strongest terms the unprofessional and partisan conduct of the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, describing his actions as deliberate sabotage against the people of Kano and the Nigerian state.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor expressed outrage over the sudden withdrawal of police participation from the 2025 Independence Day celebration in Kano — an order CP Bakori issued just hours before the commencement of the event.
Governor Yusuf said the action was a clear demonstration of bias, insubordination, and betrayal of the Nigeria Police Force’s constitutional duty.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Kano State, we cannot tolerate sabotage to the peace, security, and wellbeing of our citizens. It is disgraceful that a Commissioner of Police would descend so low into partisan politics by boycotting a national event that symbolizes unity, patriotism, and democracy,” Governor Yusuf stated.
The governor accused CP Bakori of consistently aligning with political interests opposed to the will of the people of Kano, thereby eroding public trust in the police command. He described the CP as a “political police officer” who has abandoned professionalism and is actively undermining democracy.
“The police must never be seen as tools of politicians. They are expected to protect all Nigerians, regardless of political leanings. Unfortunately, CP Bakori has turned himself into a willing instrument of division and insecurity in Kano State,” the statement added.
Governor Yusuf therefore led the voices of Kano stakeholders who were present at the 2025 Independence Day Celebration at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, in calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Inspector General of Police to immediately remove CP Bakori from office and replace him with a competent and non-partisan officer who will restore confidence, fairness, and neutrality in policing Kano State.
The stakeholders who joined their voices with that of the Governor included traditional and religious leaders, NNPP members of the state and national assemblies, the business community, youth groups, and labour organizations.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and properties of the people, stressing that no act of sabotage from compromised security officials will succeed in destabilizing Kano under his watch.
He also commended the efforts of other security agencies in the state — with the exception of the police.
Governor Yusuf appreciated the leadership of the state commands of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, and the State Directorate of Security Services, all of whom participated in the 2025 Independence Parade.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Dr. Musa Mohammed Bello, State Focal Person for the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), announced significant progress in a Gavi-funded immunization project implemented in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) across Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, and Borno states since September 2023.
KANO FOCUS reports that the project has recorded notable reductions in the number of zero-dose children those who have not received any vaccines particularly in Kano, where 15 local governments were identified as high-burden areas.
During a recent review meeting focusing on Kano State, stakeholders assessed successes and challenges related to immunization budget allocation, vaccine supply chain disruptions, cold chain management, and access to immunization services by parents and caregivers.
Dr. Bello commended the Kano State government for consistently allocating above 15% of the budget to health surpassing the Abuja Declaration recommendation but pointed out issues with approval and release of funds that hinder smooth project implementation.
He also stressed the need for Kano State to reduce its heavy reliance on donor funding from partners such as WHO, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by strengthening local counterpart contributions. Isyaku Lawan Dawakin from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
Dr. Bello further highlighted the strengthening of advocacy and government relationships through the 2023-2024 Accountability Scorecard initiative, which has enabled better communication and cooperation with key government committees on health and appropriation. Evidence-based advocacy built on decentralized immunization monitoring assessments by AFENET has helped identify specific challenges at the local government and health facility levels, informing targeted interventions.
He presented recent data from September 2025 showing high reporting rates from primary health care facilities on routine immunization services via SMS across the targeted local governments, reflecting increased monitoring and responsiveness. The project has fostered deeper understanding of the budgetary process among civil society and health stakeholders, contributing to increased awareness and coordinated action to address zero-dose children.
Crucially, Dr. Bello revealed that Kano State has seen a tremendous decrease in zero-dose children—from over 539,000 in 2020 to around 120,000 by December 2024—attributed to collaborative government and partner efforts.
This achievement underscores the positive impact of strengthened immunization systems, accountability frameworks, and partner coordination in improving child health outcomes across the region.
”This initiative forms part of a broader push to improve immunization coverage and accountability in West Africa, aiming to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated and vulnerable to preventable diseases,” he said.
Isyaku Lawan Dawakin Tofa from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
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