WorldStage Newsonline—Following the death of 28 persons as a result of lead poisoning, Niger State Government has evacuated about 1,500 residents of the affected Assara village in Rafi Local Government area.
This is coming as the State Government also ordered the immediate closure of illegal mining sites within and around the village where most rocks are found to contain more leaded ore.
The Chairman of the council, Shuaibudeen Isah told journalists that government took the step to to forestall further contamination and poisoning by residents of the village.
He commended the prompt intervention by the state and federal governments in addressing the situation.
The Minister of State for Health, Fiddles Nwankwo had on Wednesday announced the death of 28 persons as a result of Lead poisoning out of 65 cases reported, while hundreds of domestic animals were also killed by the lethal substance.
