Sixty-four students of Government Science Secondary School, Batagarawa, Katsina State, have reportedly been hospitalised after receiving treatment for a parasitic worm infection.
The students allegedly developed vomiting, dizziness and stomach pain after medication was administered on October 26, 2026.
Some were reportedly unconscious when they arrived at medical facilities.
The incident has also sparked concern over allegations that some teachers beat sick students, accusing them of pretending to be ill instead of seeking medical help.
Students Taken to Three Hospitals in Katsina, according to a report by Zagazola Makama, the affected students were rushed to three hospitals for urgent treatment.
The facilities include General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital in Batagarawa, Katsina General Hospital and Turai Yar’Adua Hospital.
The medication was reportedly administered to treat schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease commonly known as a worm infection.
However, the reported complications have raised questions about the medicine given to the students, its dosage and the medical supervision provided during the exercise.
The allegations against some teachers have added another layer of concern to the incident.
Some teachers were accused of physically assaulting students who showed signs of illness.
They allegedly dismissed the students’ complaints as mischief rather than responding to their medical needs.
The claims have raised concerns about student safety and how schools handle medical emergencies.
Zagazola Makama has called on the Katsina State Government to order an immediate and independent investigation into the incident.
The report urged the state Ministries of Education and Health to establish which medication was administered and whether the correct dosage was used.
Investigators were also urged to determine whether students were properly screened and received adequate medical supervision.
A separate investigation was recommended into the alleged beating, including identifying the teachers involved and checking whether students suffered additional injuries.
The report further called for appropriate disciplinary or legal action if the allegations are proven.
It also urged authorities to introduce safeguards to prevent similar incidents during future school health programmes.
