A team of researchers from Federal University Dutse has gotten a ₦36 million research grant from TETfund to investigate cases of Kidney diseases in Hadejia valley.

Lead Researcher, Dr Muhammad Isa Auyo, Head of Department of Biological Sciences of the university disclosed this to newsmen in Dutse.

Dr Auyo picked interest in the research “Rampant kidney diseases in Hadejia Valley, Yobe and Kano state: The Study of Environmental Toxins and Gene Polymorphism” after losing six friends and family members to kidney failure in Hadejia.

According to the Lead Researcher, the investigation will find out environmental toxins present in the Hadejia Valley in the last 30 years as a result of the use of chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides which may have changed the ecosystem.

He pointed out that, these chemicals may have affected the food chain especially crops, water, and fish consumed by the people which may be responsible for making Hadejia Valley have the highest rate of kidney diseases.

He added that samples of soil, water, vegetables, cereals, fruits, fish, and meat will be taken monthly for 20 months to conduct the study in order to detect the presence of heavy metals.

According to Dr Auyo a 16 member multi-disciplinary research team divided into Medical, Environmental, Genetic and DNA sequencing teams will conduct the research which is to last for 2 years.

The location of the research, Hadejia Valley according to the Lead Researcher starts from Zakirai up to Nguru and Gashua.