Twenty-seven people have died from a suspected diphtheria outbreak in Plateau State, while suspected cases have increased to 303, a state health official has said.

The State Epidemiologist, Maren Damulak, disclosed the figures while speaking with journalists in Jos on Wednesday.

He said most of the suspected cases were recorded in Jos North Local Government Area.

Mr Damulak said 99 per cent of the suspected cases were recorded in Jos North, with Rikkos community among the worst-affected areas.

“As of today, the cases have increased from 149 to 303. The death has also increased from 23 to 27. The high cases of the disease are in Jos North. Ninety-nine per cent of the cases are in Jos North,” he said.

He attributed a significant proportion of the cases to people who had not received diphtheria vaccination and said children constituted a substantial number of those affected.

“Most of the people that were affected were those that did not take diphtheria vaccine. Apart from Jos North, we also have few cases from other LGAs. Children account for a significant proportion of those affected,” he said.

Schools remain closed

The latest figures come days after the Plateau State Government ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state.

PREMIUM TIMES reported on September 5 that the government directed schools to close from Monday, September 7, following suspected diphtheria cases in Jos North, Jos South, Bassa and Wase local government areas.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, said the measure was intended to prevent further transmission and protect pupils, students and teaching and non-teaching staff.

Schools that had already resumed academic activities were also directed to close and remain shut until further notice.

The government asked school proprietors, administrators, teachers, parents and guardians to comply with the directive and ensure that pupils and students remained at home while health authorities strengthened surveillance and response efforts.

Response intensified

The state government has also increased efforts to provide treatment and strengthen disease surveillance in affected communities.

Some patients are receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau State Specialist Hospital, where isolation facilities have been provided.

In Jos North, the local government council has deployed additional logistics, including motorcycles, to support contact tracing, field surveillance and community mobilisation.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang also directed the immediate mobilisation of drugs and other medical commodities to health facilities to support the response.

The Director-General of the Plateau State Drug and Medical Commodity Management Agency, Kim Bot, said government intervention was already ongoing at JUTH and PSSH and would be extended to other affected facilities.

Mr Bot said the state government responded after receiving reports of the outbreak and was working to ensure that affected health facilities received the necessary medical supplies.

READ ALSO: Plateau buses make face masks compulsory as diphtheria outbreak worsens

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Jos North Local Government, John Christopher, has urged residents to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to reduce the spread of the disease.

Mr Christopher made the call on Wednesday during an assessment of affected communities and a visit to suspected patients receiving treatment at the Primary Healthcare Clinic in Abba Na Shehu Ward.

The rising figures come amid continued efforts by health authorities to contain the outbreak, increase surveillance and encourage residents to seek prompt medical attention and vaccination.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has travelled to Germany and the United Kingdom for a series of high-level engagements as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi disclosed this in a post on his social media platforms on Thursday, after returning to Abuja from visits to Benue and Plateau states.

The former Anambra State governor said his engagements in Europe focused on issues he considered fundamental to Nigeria’s future, including democracy, electoral integrity, poverty, education, corruption and healthcare.

He said the discussions also examined practical measures that could improve the lives of Nigerians and preserve their dignity.

“After returning to Abuja on 8th September 2026, following our visits to Benue and Plateau States, I travelled to Europe, first to Germany and then to the United Kingdom,” Obi stated.

According to him, he was encouraged by the willingness of international partners to support Nigeria, particularly in the education sector.

Obi said education remained the most important investment the country could make in its citizens, arguing that sustainable national development would be difficult without building the knowledge, skills and capabilities of Nigerians.

He also reiterated his call for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s economic direction.

“We must intentionally transition Nigeria from consumption to production, from dependence to productivity, from wasteful practices to responsible resource management, and from division to a common national purpose,” he said.

The NDC candidate said his objective was to build a country where every child could access quality education, democracy would genuinely reflect the will of the electorate, healthcare would be accessible and public resources would be managed responsibly.

He added that every Nigerian should have a fair opportunity to live a dignified and productive life.

Obi’s trip comes amid intensifying political activities by presidential contenders ahead of the 2027 elections.

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, also recently departed Nigeria for the United States and Canada as part of a North American tour linked to his 2027 campaign.

Sowore is expected to engage Nigerians in the diaspora, supporters, activists and other stakeholders during his stay, while also participating virtually in campaign activities in Nigeria.

The AAC said his absence would not disrupt the #Sowore2027 campaign. It said its campaign would continue to push for what it described as revolutionary transformation, equal rights and justice, rather than a return to the existing political establishment.

President Bola Tinubu has also travelled to Europe, with the Presidency saying he departed Abuja for a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave.

According to his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s first destination was London, United Kingdom, and he would return to Nigeria at the end of the working vacation.

The movements come against the backdrop of heightened preparations for the 2027 presidential contest, following the commencement of the official campaign period by the Independent National Electoral Commission on August 19. The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027.