Sokoto: Chief Imam drowns, as food poisoning Kills 6

The Chief Imam of Kutufare village in Gudu local government area, Alhaji Muhammadu Nadande, has drowned in a river in the village in Sokoto state.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN gathered that the deceased was said to have drowned on Sept. 4 and his remains buried according to Islamic rites.

Dantsoho and Bachaka had also condoled with the family of the late cleric, describing his demise as a great loss to his family and the entire state.

Meanwhile, six members of the same family have reportedly died as a result of suspected food poisoning in Awilkiti village of Gudu Local Government Area in Sokoto state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tragic incident claimed the lives of two women and four children of the same family.

All the deceased persons had since been buried according to Islamic rites.

A delegation of the state government led by Lands and Housing Commissioner, Alhaji Nasiru Dantsoho, had also condoled with the bereaved family.

Dantsoho described the deaths of the six persons as a great loss not only to their family but to the entire state.

The Caretaker Chairman of the local government council, Alhaji Musa Bachaka, had also commiserated with the family.

Bachaka also donated N20, 000 cash and two bags each of rice and millet to them.

 In a related development, sixteen people have been killed in a fresh outbreak of cholera in Sokoto state, while 40 others are on admission in hospitals across the state, a health official has said.

Dr. Bello Dahiru, who has been managing patients at the Primary Health Centre in Kasarawa, a suburb of Sokoto, the state capital, said the deaths and admissions occurred within the last three days.

News verge reports that the outbreak, officials say, has now lasted days, leaving residents of the state in panic. It is not clear what the state government is doing to halt the epidemic. The state Commissioner for Health, Ahmed Aliyu, did not answer or return calls.