Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerians to remain calm and rely on verified information after the Federal Government confirmed an imported case of Bundibugyo ebolavirus in the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement posted on X, Atiku expressed concern for the patient and commended health professionals working to contain the infection.
He called on the authorities to sustain contact tracing, support those affected and strengthen protection for frontline health workers.
“In a moment like this, Nigerians deserve calm, clear information and decisive action,” Atiku said.
His comments came after Health Minister Muhammad Pate announced that a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda had tested positive for Ebola. The patient is in isolation and receiving treatment at a private hospital in the FCT.
Authorities have identified 44 close contacts, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts. Surveillance has also been intensified, while public and private health facilities have been directed to promptly identify, isolate and report suspected cases.
Atiku also appealed to Nigerians to follow the guidance of health experts and avoid spreading unverified claims. He urged the media to report responsibly, warning that misinformation could fuel fear and stigma at a time when public cooperation is critical.
The Federal Government has described the case as imported and contained, with no reported evidence so far of community transmission.
Ebola spreads mainly through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms, or through contaminated materials, according to the World Health Organisation.
The NCDC has advised anyone who may have been exposed to cooperate with contact-tracing teams and report symptoms promptly. Its toll-free public-health line is 6232.
