Hope Ajayi 
KANO, Nigeria – At least 18 people have reportedly been bitten by a dog suspected of having rabies in Garko Local Government Area of Kano State, prompting a search for the animal and two other dogs suspected to be infected.
The incident was reported on Sunday, after the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Garko Division, received a distress call about the attacks.
According to a statement signed by the NFSS Kano State Command Public Relations Officer, CSF Usman Abdullahi Umar, the dog initially attacked 11 people in Garko town before moving into neighbouring communities.
Seven other people were subsequently bitten in Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya and Dausai communities, bringing the reported number of victims to 18.
The Service said two additional dogs were also suspected to have contracted rabies, raising concerns about further attacks and possible transmission of the disease.
Officers led by the Divisional Forest Officer, Auwalu Muhammad, were deployed to the affected communities to locate the suspected infected animals and prevent further attacks. The NFSS said the operation was aimed at containing the threat and limiting the possible spread of rabies among residents and animals in the affected communities.
The Service urged residents to remain vigilant, and report stray dogs or animals showing possible signs of rabies to the nearest NFSS office or other security agencies.
It also advised anyone bitten by a dog or exposed to an animal suspected of having rabies to seek immediate medical attention.
The NFSS said its officers would continue searching the affected communities until the threat was brought under control.
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Korede Abdullah 
