The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) has deployed personnel to Garko Local Government Area of Kano State following a series of attacks by suspected rabid dogs. The attacks, which occurred on a yet-to-be-disclosed date, left 18 residents injured. According to the NFSS command's spokesman, Usman Abdullahi-Umar, the State Commander of the NFSS, Abdullahi Al'ameen, received a distress report at about 2 p.m. regarding a dog suspected to be infected with rabies that had attacked residents in Garko town.
The suspected rabid dog initially bit 11 people in Garko before moving into neighboring communities, including Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya, and Dausai, where it attacked and injured seven additional residents. The situation has been described as alarming. The NFSS command has also received another report indicating that two other dogs were suspected to have been infected with rabies, stressing the need for urgent action to contain the situation.
In response to the attacks, personnel of the NFSS Garko Division, led by the Divisional Forest Officer, Auwalu Muhammad, have been deployed to the affected communities to track and contain the suspected rabid dogs. The NFSS is working to prevent further attacks and stop the incident from spreading to other communities in the state.
The NFSS commander, Abdullahi Al'ameen, has urged residents of Garko and neighboring communities to remain vigilant and promptly report sightings of stray or suspected rabid dogs to the nearest NFSS office or other security agencies. He also appealed to anyone bitten by the dogs to seek medical attention without delay.
The attacks have raised concerns about the potential for a rabies outbreak in the area. Residents are being advised to take precautions to protect themselves and their pets from the suspected rabid dogs. The NFSS has assured residents that it will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to prevent further attacks.
The incident has also highlighted the importance of animal control and public health measures in preventing the spread of diseases such as rabies. The NFSS is working to contain the situation and prevent further incidents.
The Kano State government has not released a statement on the incident, but the NFSS has assured residents that it is working to prevent further attacks and protect the public.
Key points
- 18 residents were injured in the attacks by suspected rabid dogs in Kano's Garko Local Government Area.
- The NFSS has deployed personnel to the affected communities to track and contain the suspected rabid dogs.
- Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report sightings of stray or suspected rabid dogs to the nearest NFSS office or other security agencies.
