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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.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, has called on residents to give maximum support and cooperation to the newly established Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the union also commended the Kano State Government for establishing the task force and appointing Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado as its chairman.
The NUJ made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its congress meeting held on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Press Centre Conference Hall in Kano.
The congress described the establishment of the task force as an important step towards addressing drug abuse and urged residents to cooperate with it to enable it discharge its responsibilities effectively.
The union’s position comes amid growing concerns over drug abuse and its associated social challenges, particularly among young people.
The congress also urged politicians and other political stakeholders to conduct their electioneering activities ahead of the 2027 general elections in accordance with established rules and regulations.
It called on political actors to shun thuggery, hate speech and defamatory statements capable of undermining peace and unity in the state.
On security and community relations, the NUJ urged the state government to urgently address recurring farmers-herders conflicts to prevent further loss of lives and destruction of property.
It stressed the need for proactive measures to promote peaceful coexistence between farming and herding communities.
The congress further called on the government and relevant agencies to intensify public awareness campaigns on fire prevention and safety, particularly as the harmattan season approaches.
While commending the government’s efforts to revitalise water supply and improve access to potable water in Kano metropolis, the union urged it to extend similar interventions to rural communities.
The NUJ also welcomed the recent cabinet reshuffle by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, describing it as a step towards strengthening governance and service delivery.
However, it appealed to the governor to consider appointing a professional from the media industry as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, citing the strategic importance of the ministry.
On road safety, the congress called on traffic regulatory agencies to intensify public enlightenment and road-user education to reduce accidents amid ongoing infrastructure development and increasing traffic activities across the metropolis.
The union also congratulated the NUJ Kano State Council on securing the hosting rights for the forthcoming Media Security Summit, describing the development as a significant achievement for the council and the media industry.
At the meeting, the congress also filled the vacant position of Assistant Secretary with Comrade Mubarak Ismaila Madungurum, a journalist with Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), Kano.
The congress concluded with special prayers for departed colleagues and relatives, including Ismaila Garba Gwammja, the mother of the council’s Vice Chairman, Comrade Mustapha Gambo, and the wife of Comrade Dahiru Ibrahim Biso.
It prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls and for Allah to grant their families the fortitude to bear the losses.
The communiqué was signed by the NUJ Kano State Council Chairman, Comrade Sulaiman Dederi, and Secretary, Comrade Hauwa Zaharadeen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has sworn in six newly appointed commissioners, three advisers and 19 permanent secretaries as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the ceremony followed the confirmation of the six commissioner nominees by the Kano State House of Assembly on October 26, 2026, after completing the legislative screening process.
The newly sworn-in commissioners are Air Commodore Salisu Yusha’u (retd.), assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security and Special Services; Ibrahim Namadi Dala, Investment; Prof. Sani Lawan Manunfashi, Higher Education; Muktar Ishaq Yakasai, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, Science and Technology; and Idris Garba Mustapha, Special Duties.
In a related development, the governor announced a minor cabinet reshuffle involving the redeployment of two commissioners to different ministries.
Under the new arrangement, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who previously served as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, has been moved to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
Similarly, Hamza Kachaco has been redeployed to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle leaves the Ministries of Information and Internal Affairs, as well as Solid Minerals and Mineral Resources, vacant pending further decisions by the state government.
According to a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the appointments and redeployments are aimed at strengthening government institutions, improving administrative efficiency and repositioning key ministries for effective service delivery.
The governor urged the new appointees to demonstrate dedication, integrity and commitment to their responsibilities, stressing the need to prioritise public interest and contribute to the development of the state.
He also charged them to work collaboratively in advancing his administration’s development agenda and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Gov Yusuf congratulated the appointees and wished them success in their respective assignments.
Ibrahim Khalil
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has redeployed the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, to the Ministry of Youths and Sports as part of a cabinet reshuffle involving eight ministries.
KANO FOCUS reports that under the new arrangement, Waiya moves from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Youths and Sports, while Hon. Hamza Safyanu Kachako has been transferred from the Ministry of Mineral Resources to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle also assigns new commissioners to several ministries.
Hon. Yushau Soja has been assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security, while Hon. Idris Garba Mustapha will oversee the Ministry of Special Duties.
Similarly, Hon. Muntari Ishaq Yakasai has been assigned to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Hon. Ibrahim Namadi Dala will head the Ministry of Commerce.
Other appointments include Hon. Ibrahim Tsanyawa as Commissioner for Science and Technology and Prof. Sani Lawal as Commissioner for Higher Education.
The reshuffle affects eight ministries, with the changes involving both new portfolio assignments and the redeployment of serving commissioners.
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