Lead poisoning reported in Nigerian state

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GUSAU, Nigeria, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Lead poisoning resurfaced in Nigeria's Zamfara area after a two-year absence, blamed for the deaths of at least two children, Emir Mohammed Kabiru Danbaba said.

Danbaba said on state-run radio Wednesday medical personnel confirmed instances of lead poisoning in and around the state's capital of Gusau, the Daily Trust reported Thursday.

Some of the territory in northern Nigeria, which is predominately Muslim, is divided into autonomous emirates led by emirs

Unregulated gold mining was blamed for the presence of high levels of lead in Anka and Bukuyyum in 2010, killing more than 400 people, mostly children.

"We have confirmed that what happened in Anka and Bukkuyum two years back where many people died from a strange disease confirmed as lead poisoning is discovered in Gusau emirate as result of the processing of gold ore within some communities," Danbaba said in the broadcast.

Evidence of lead poisoning was found in four villages, he said.

Danbaba urged residents to report any gold ore processing in their area to government officials, the Daily Trust reported.