A cholera outbreak has claimed 27 lives across Borno State so far. Health officials documented 2,715 suspected cases during the first 24 days of May 2026.
Six local government areas have been hit by the epidemic. They are Jere, Mafa, Konduga, Monguno, Ngala, and Magumeri.
Jere reported the highest number of cases at 834. Mafa followed with 159 cases, while Konduga recorded 95.
Monguno documented 56 suspected infections. Ngala and Magumeri each reported just one and two cases respectively.
Maiduguri Metropolitan Council is the hardest-hit area. It accounts for more than half the total infections with 1,568 suspected cases.
Medical officials say the situation is worsening rapidly. New cases are emerging by the hundreds every single day.
Data from treatment centres may not yet be complete. The true figure could be significantly higher than the reported 2,715 cases.
Twenty-nine wards and 124 communities across the state have been touched by the disease. Cholera continues spreading through these densely populated areas.
Of the 27 deaths, 11 occurred in communities rather than health facilities. This has sparked alarm over inadequate healthcare access in rural zones.
Sixteen patients died in hospital settings. The overall fatality rate now sits at one percent.
According to World Health Organisation standards, this rate triggers urgent intervention protocols. Borno's situation clearly meets that emergency threshold.
Healthcare workers, especially those in private groups, have voiced frustration. They're calling for the state government to declare a health emergency immediately.
No major public awareness drive has been launched yet. NGO staff say this delay is hampering prevention efforts badly.
Dr Goni Imam Ali heads the Public Health Department at Borno's health ministry. He dismissed the epidemiological report when contacted by journalists.
Ali claimed the ministry didn't produce the document. He declined to answer further questions about the outbreak.
