Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, Special Adviser to Gov. Aliyu Wamakko on Primary Healthcare said on Wednesday in Sokoto that 76 Islamic clerics had been appointed to assist in polio eradication in the 23 local governments areas.

Jibril told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that each of the LGAs would have at least three clerics.

According to him, the clerics are working with all the traditional rulers to convince deviant parents still nursing doubts about the polio vaccine.

"We are currently having five cases of the wild polio virus and we will leave no stone unturned in reversing the trend before the end of this year," he said.

Jibril said the state and the local governments as well as other stakeholders were working hard to redress the trend.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the Joint Traditional Rulers and Islamic Clerics Committee on polio eradication in the state, Malam Sani Kwanni said,"the polio vaccine is safe and Islam is not against it.

"This is why we are using all available forums to sensitise people to have a change of heart and accept the vaccine. Our efforts are paying off, "Kwanni added.