The Plateau State Government has ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state over suspected cases of diphtheria.
The directive, issued Saturday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, takes effect Monday, Sept. 7, and will remain in force until further notice.
The government said suspected cases have been reported in Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa local government areas.
Schools that have already resumed for the new academic term are also required to close from Monday.
Ramnap urged school proprietors, administrators, teachers, parents and guardians to comply with the directive and ensure pupils and students remain at home.
The government said the measure is aimed at protecting pupils, students and school staff while efforts continue to contain the suspected outbreak.
The closure comes as health authorities report a rising number of suspected diphtheria cases in the state.
Plateau Commissioner for Health Nicholas Baamlong said earlier that 143 suspected cases had been recorded, with 23 deaths and nine patients receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and Plateau Specialist Hospital.
Health authorities have intensified surveillance, vaccination and other response measures in affected communities, while the state government has sought support from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable bacterial infection that can spread through respiratory droplets and close contact, making crowded environments such as schools a potential risk for transmission.
The state government said further information on the resumption of academic activities will be communicated to the public.
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