Fear grips Ogun residents over demise of Cotonou returnee

Residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital now live in palpable fear following the death of a man who just returned from Cotonou at the GTB area near Simeon Adebo Library, Kuto, Abeokuta.

It was unconfirmed that the young man may have died from a coronavirus related ailment, causing panic among residents of the area.

Our correspondent gathered that the deceased was suspected to have contracted coronavirus and died in the early hours of Tuesday while traveling along Abeokuta Road.

The victim whose name could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report was said to have hailed from Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

A relative traveling with the deceased disclosed that they were coming from Sagamu and going to Owode Yewa in Yewa South Local Government Area of the state.

The relative who identified hinmself as Adex, said the deceased just returned from Cotonou and settled at Sagamu, pointing out that the deceased had been sick since he came back from Cotonou, his home town.

He said: “My brother had been sick before. He was complaining of tiredness. I have taken him to hospital in Sagamu, where he was treated and given injection, and he felt better.

“I was advised to take him back to our home town in Benin Republic, but he (deceased) insisted on going to Owode Yewa where one of our brothers is living. So, it was on our way to Owode this morning that he died in the car that we boarded.

“It was a police officer who gave us a ride from Sagamu to Abeokuta, but upon sighting that my brother is dead, the policeman dropped us by the roadside.”

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Reacting to the development, the state government assured the public, especially residents of Abeokuta, to remain calm, as regards the trending video of a Cotonou returnee (male) opposite GTBank, around Simeon Adebo Library, Kuto.

“I have contacted the appropriate authorities, including the commissioner for health and they are on top of the situation.

“The returnee and the second male with him will be immediately picked up, and the tracing of all their contacts will begin as treatment is given at the closest isolation centre in the state.

“Residents around the area are strongly advised to stay indoors and avoid going near the suspected patients,” a state government official advised.