Chaos in Maiduguri over ‘killer monkey pox vaccine’ rumours

Public schools in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, were thrown into chaos, Wednesday, when rumours filtered in that monkey pox vaccines were being forcefully administered on pupils by unknown persons

The rumour, which had caused confusion in a few other states in recent days, has been debunked by the army authorities several times

The Federal Ministry of Health had, also on Wednesday, issued a rebuttal denying the availability of such a vaccine

The defence headquarters specifically denied the allegation in a statement signed by its Spokesman, John Enenche

But these denials appeared to have been dismissed by residents in Maiduguri as hundreds of school children bolted out of their classes on Wednesday

Some parents equally forced their way into school premises to pick their children and wards

However, none of the children or parents interviewed by our correspondent said they saw the people administering the vaccines

Despite this, the rumour quickly spread to many parts of the city

“We were told that some pupils slumped and died after they injected them with the vaccine in Gwange area,” a 12-year-old schoolgirl, Lam, said

At Sanda Kyarimi primary school, parents reportedly engaged in fisticuff s with staff unwilling to release the kids

“They (parents) had to break the gate and force the kids out”, a member of Civilian-JTF told Premium Times

“It was really chaotic there as the parents began to break doors and throw stones at the teachers whom they accused of plotting to inject their kids with monkey pox causing vaccines

” Th e Borno state government has not officially responded to the development

But the executive chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Shettima Kullima, told journalists in an interview that about 37 public schools closed before official closing hours due to the rumour

According to him, the board is monitoring the situation

 

 

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