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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.
Ibrahim Khalil
Residents of Tsakuwa community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State have honoured 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the development of the town.
KANO FOCUS reports that the awards were presented during the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, held on Sunday at Central Primary School, Tsakuwa.
Among those honoured were the traditional ruler of the community, Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa; the Chairman of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa; and a retired headmaster of Central Primary School, Tsakuwa, Alhaji Mahmuda Shehu, who continues to offer voluntary teaching services to pupils in the community.
Also recognised was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, a Nupe businessman who settled in Tsakuwa and has become an integral part of the community. He was honoured for his significant contributions to the town’s development.
Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe receiving a certificate
Other award recipients included the Chairman of the Northwest Development Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji (Garkuwan Tsakuwa); the Commander of the Gombe State Hisbah Command, Malam Rabiu Idris; media practitioner Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim of Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV); the founder of Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Malam Ibrahim Almustapha Sani; and Sulaiman Salisu Babah, among others.
Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan presenting a certificate to Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Speaking at the event, the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, commended the leadership of the association for its commitment to community development and urged members to sustain their efforts toward improving the welfare of residents.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, said the non-partisan organisation had prioritised interventions in education, security, and healthcare.
He appealed to members of the community to sustain their monthly financial contributions to enable the association to continue implementing development projects.
Earlier, a member of the association, Malam Abdullahi Wagadi, disclosed that the group generated ₦6.56 million through members’ monthly contributions over the past year.
According to him, the association spent ₦3.84 million on allowances for volunteer teachers and vigilantes, ₦564,000 on fencing the Eid prayer ground, and ₦1.255 million on the renovation of the community police outpost.
He further stated that ₦356,000 was spent on supporting Tsakuwa Model Primary School, ₦430,000 on scholarships for students, ₦700,000 on instructional materials, and ₦50,000 on health assistance for vulnerable residents.
Association Raises Over ₦2.1 Million at AGM
A major highlight of the AGM was the fundraising session, during which the association raised ₦2.143 million from philanthropists and community stakeholders.
Leading the donations was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, who contributed ₦500,000. He was followed by Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who also donated ₦500,000, while Hon. Abdulmumin Tijjani, popularly known as Mai POS, donated ₦200,000.
Other donors included the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, who donated ₦100,000; the association’s chairman, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, ₦200,000; Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji Garkuwan Tsakuwa), ₦100,000; and Malam Rabiu Idris, who also contributed ₦100,000.
The event attracted community leaders, stakeholders, and residents who commended the association for its contributions to grassroots development and pledged continued support for its programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Health journalists in Kano State have inaugurated a new professional body, the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), aimed at strengthening media reporting and advocacy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Health Care (PHC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the network was launched during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation meeting of media coalitions on gender-responsive RMNCAH and PHC, organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Kano.
During the inauguration, journalists unanimously elected Khadijah Aliyu of Radio Nigeria as Chairperson of the newly established network.
Other members of the executive committee include Mustapha Hodi Adamu of People Daily Newspaper as Vice Chairperson, Abdullahi Hassan of ARTV as Secretary, and Mustapha Salisu of Prime Times as Public Relations Officer.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Director of ISMPH, Mr. Solomon Dogo, said the establishment of KAHJON would help unify existing health reporting groups and improve media coverage of critical public health issues, including polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and primary healthcare services.
He congratulated the newly elected executives and expressed confidence that the network would enhance collaboration among media practitioners while strengthening health advocacy efforts in the state.
Dogo noted that similar health journalists’ networks are already operating in Lagos and Kaduna states, adding that development partners remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote public health advocacy.
Also speaking, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano, Hajiya Sabuwa Yahaya, said the platform would improve coordination among journalists, enhance access to health information, and strengthen evidence-based reporting on health issues.
According to her, the network will also provide a stronger platform for advocacy and engagement with government institutions, development partners, and local communities.
The inauguration ceremony attracted goodwill messages from several development partners, including the Integrated Budget and Policy (IBP), LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency, and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency also attended the event.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formally established the Kano Health Journalists Network and marked the beginning of a new chapter in health journalism and advocacy in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A House of Representatives aspirant for the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Mahmud Tijjani Kura, has withdrawn his candidature and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the development was disclosed on Saturday by a prominent APC chieftain, Alhaji Aliyu Lawan Dambatta, popularly known as Majidadin Dambatta.
According to Majidadin Dambatta, he led a delegation alongside the former aspirant to a meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, during which Kura formally announced his decision to join the APC.
Majidadin Dambatta described the defection as a significant boost to the ruling party, noting that it would further strengthen the APC’s unity and political structure ahead of future elections.
He said the party remained committed to working collectively for the progress and development of Kano State and the country.
The APC stalwart welcomed Kura back into the party and expressed confidence that he would make meaningful contributions to its growth and the welfare of the people.
The defection is expected to add a new dimension to the political landscape in Kano State as parties continue to realign ahead of future electoral contests.
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