Plateau Closes Schools Over Suspected Diphtheria Cases

The Plateau State Government has ordered all public and private primary and secondary schools to close temporarily after suspected diphtheria cases were recorded in four local government areas.

The closure takes effect on Monday, September 7, 2026, and covers schools that had already resumed academic activities. The affected areas named in the government directive are Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa.

The state said the order was a preventive step while health authorities work to contain the suspected outbreak. The directive was announced in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap.

School owners, administrators, teachers, parents and guardians were asked to comply with the closure and keep pupils and students at home until further notice.

The new order follows earlier reports of diphtheria cases in Plateau, but this development specifically concerns the statewide school closure announced for September 7.

Sources: Channels Television, Daily Post, Vanguard, Premium Times