From James Azania, Lokoja
There was Unease in Kogi State, on Wednesday, following the reported death of a medical doctor, an indigene of Kogi, in Katsina State.
The deceased it is alleged tested positive to the rampaging Coronavirus disease.
It was rumoured that the victim had a two week stopover in Okene, Kogi Central, before traveling to Katsina where he eventually passed on after testing positive to the Covid-19, bringing to two the number of Kogi indigenes to have died of the disease since its outbreak in Nigeria.
About two weeks ago, a retired official of the Pipeline and Product Marketing Company, PPMC, an arm of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Engr. Suleiman Achimugu, who hailed from Kogi, became the first casualty, haven tested positive to the Covid-19 and later died.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna has however denied the claim, saying that the victim never made any stopover in Okene as being rumoured.
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According to him: “There is a rumour making the rounds that one of our brothers from Kogi Central (a doctor) who died in Katsina State, and was later confirmed to be positive for Covid-19, had visited Kogi State enroute Katsina (24/03/2020) from Lagos.
“Our independent investigation has revealed that this isn’t true. According to the deceased’s wife, brother and two other close family members, the deceased returned to Katsina from Lagos by air and did not pass through Kogi State. He last visited Kogi State in February, 2020. We advise the general public to remain calm as we remain on high alert and at the top of every development in the State as it concerns Covid-19.
“We pray that God grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and admit our dearly loved brother into Aljannah firdaus.”
The commissioner assured the people of Katsina of the readiness of Kogi State in helping to trace all contacts by liasing with the deceased’s family.
“We also wish to assure the government and good people of Katsina State that we stand with them in this trying time. The Hononorable Commissioner for Health, Katsina State is a friend and a thorough professional, and we have no doubt in his ability to stem the tide.
“On our own, we will offer every assistance to the state by liaising with the deceased’s family to help in tracing all known contacts,” he stated.
