The Sokoto government has commenced an investigation into a strange illness after it claimed four lives and left twenty-four on admission in health facilities.

A statement signed by the state governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said the sickness broke out from the Helele area of the Sokoto metropolis.

While expressing condolences to the families of lost lives, Mr. Tambuwal maintained that the state has taken responsibility for treatment of patients undergoing treatment as a result of the illness.

“It has come to the notice of the government that the strange sickness has claimed four lives, three within the Helele community and one while on admission in the hospital. Twenty-four other people are currently receiving medical attention in different health facilities in Sokoto,” Mr. Tambuwal wrote.“The State Government has meanwhile raised a committee of experts, headed by the State Commissioners of Health and of Environment, with a view to investigating the disease and finding its cure and prevention.”

Also wishing patients quick recovery, the governor appealed to the state’s residents to maintain proper hygiene.

Sokoto, lying to the extreme Northwestern part of Nigeria is an arid zone. The highly humid and very hot climate often prepare grounds for infectious diseases such as zoonosis. Nutritional disorders are also commonplace because of drought and desertification.

The country is still grappling with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and a fresh disease outbreak could break the already stretched health facilities.