Prayers Urged As Dozens Are Killed In Nigeria Cholera Outbreak

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

ABUJA (Worthy News) – A Christian evangelist and farmer in Nigeria urged prayers on Wednesday after authorities declared a health emergency due to a cholera outbreak that killed scores of people.

Paul Jongas told Worthy News there was also concern about a rise in Malaria cases, including in the capital Abuja and Lagos, partly due to poorly maintained drainages providing fertile breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

“I’m still sick; only took paracetamol to calm it down while we pray for means,” said Jongas, who fled to Abuja with his family in recent years due to Islamic attacks against believers. “I can’t sleep, it’s like my head is falling.”

However, with cholera now becoming an increasingly deadly threat, the devoted Christian is concerned about his community.

More than 1,500 suspected cholera cases and 53 deaths linked to the disease were reported as of June 24, according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC)

“Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, a gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium. It is a potentially life-threatening, primarily waterborne disease,” the NCDC said.

ENHANCED SURVEILLANCE

NCDC Director General Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa told reporters that there is a “high risk of the disease’s transmission and the urgent need for coordinated action.”

He said his organization “will work with state authorities to identify and stem the spread of the disease by providing enhanced surveillance and facilitating rapid communication and resource deployment.”

Yet, Jongas suggested that the measures have done little to tackle Nigeria’s cholera outbreak and malaria cases. “It’s 11:38 pm here already, but I feel my head falling. I can’t sleep”, added malaria-suffering Christian.

The disease announcements come as Christians are also suffering Islamic violence in Nigeria, with thousands being killed over the last year alone.

Advocacy group Amnesty International (AI) said Wednesday that between January 2023 and February 2024, Nigeria’s Benue State recorded at least 135 attacks and over 2600 deaths, including women and children.

Among them are attacks in January and February this year in four “local government areas” of the state, including Apa, Otukpo, Agatu, and Guma, explained Barbara Magaji, AI’s program director.

“As a result of the [recent] attacks, a total of 12,369 individuals from 2,105 households were displaced from their homes, forcing them to seek refuge in neighboring communities. At least 540 people were killed and 149 injuries reported because of the attacks,” she added.

Many of them are believed to be Christians. And with cholera and malaria now hitting much of Nigeria, they are among those facing increased health and security challenges.

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