COVID-19: Bello locks down Kabba/Bunu LG for 2 weeks

Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello, has ordered the state’s Commissioner of Health, Dr. Saka Haruna Audu, to lockdown Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area in view of the controversy surrounding the claims by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) that two suspected patients from the area have tested positive of coronavirus.

Addressing the press on Monday, Governor Bello, explained that since the highly disputed claims by the NCDC, frantic efforts have been made by the government to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the claims without success.

According to the governor, investigation revealed that the index case was said to have been stung by a bee, subsequently, fell ill and was treated at the Specialist Hospital, Kabba.

He was later in company of his son moved to the Federal Medical Center, Lokoja, from where they were hurriedly smuggled to Abuja, having tested positive.

He said though the NCDC did not deem it necessary to meet the state government through its squadron committee on COVID- 19, the government will pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.

Among steps taken by the government, the governor said, is the tracing of persons suspected to have come in contact with the patients, who were tested and proved to be positive.

“Though COVID-19 may be real in other climes, but that of Nigeria’s own is politicised and I insist that Kogi state is for now COVID-19 free,” Bello said.

On the absolute lockdown of Kabba/Bunu, the governor said all the people in the area are to remain indoors, starting from 12 midnight of Monday for two weeks pending further review of the situation.

He however, promised to provide palliatives to people of the affected areas, while COVID-19 tests would conducted on all residents.

The governor also ordered that the staff of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, where the controversial patients were admitted should proceed on self-isolation, especially those that conveyed the patients to Abuja.

While appealing for calm and peaceful coexistence, the governor advised the people of the state to always observe COVID-19 protocols.