Nigeria, Sept. 5 -- The Plateau State Government has ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools as part of measures to contain suspected cases of diphtheria in the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, announced the directive in a statement on Saturday, saying the closure would take effect from Monday, September 7.

The government said the measure followed the reporting of suspected diphtheria cases in Jos North, Wase, Jos South, and Bassa Local Government Areas.

Schools that have resumed academic activities are required to close from Monday and remain shut until further notice, the statement said.

The government directed school proprietors, administrators, t...