The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Kano State Command, has deployed personnel to Garko Local Government Area following reports of suspected rabid dogs attacking and biting 18 residents in the area.
This was contained in a statement signed by the State Commander of the NFSS, Abdullahi Al’ameen, issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdullahi-Umar, a copy made available to the press in Kano.
He disclosed that the command received a distress report at about 2 p.m. that a dog suspected to be infected with rabies had attacked residents in Garko town.
According to him, the dog had bitten 11 people in Garko before moving into neighbouring communities, including Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya and Dausai, where it attacked and injured seven additional residents.
‘The dog had so far bitten 11 persons in Garko town before moving to neighbouring communities, including Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya and Dausai.
‘It also attacked and bit seven additional persons in the affected communities,’ he said.
He added that the command had received another report indicating that two other dogs were suspected to have been infected with rabies in the area.
He said personnel of the NFSS Garko Division, led by the Divisional Forest Officer, Auwalu Muhammad, had been deployed to the affected communities to track and contain the suspected rabid dogs.
Al’ameen urged residents of Garko and neighbouring 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 advised anyone bitten by a suspected rabid dog to seek immediate medical attention.
The commander assured residents that the NFSS would continue to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to prevent further attacks.