Nigeria has recorded its first death from Coronavirus.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC),
the deceased is a 67 year old man who returned home from the UK where he had
gone for a medical treatment.
The victim has since been identified as Suleiman Achimugu, a
former managing director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, a
subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC). He
reportedly died at 2am on Monday.
The deceased, an indigene of Kogi state was said to have
returned from the United Kingdom two weeks ago.
Achimugu, 67, was said to have started exhibiting the
symptoms of the virus on Tuesday and the case was reported to the NCDC who took
his blood specimen for a test. He reportedly tested positive and was evacuated
to the specialist hospital, Gwagwalada in Abuja but died while receiving
treatment.
According to reports, his family members are reportedly
under quarantine at their home.
A statement from the family issued by Abubakar Achimugu said
the deceased had been buried according to Islamic rites.
”Our family is deeply saddened to inform you of the sudden
death of our beloved Father, Uncle, Brother and friend. Engr. Suleiman Achimugu
(former Md of PPMC),” the statement read.
”He died of COVID 19 on 22/03/2020 some days after he
arrived Nigeria from the UK. He was in self isolation upon his return from the
UK and personally called NCDC after experiencing some discomfort that are
related to COVID 19 symptoms.
”He tested positive and was promptly evacuated to the
specialist hospital. He died while receiving treatment.
”We implore the general public to pray upon his soul and the
recovery of infected persons. Your thoughts and prayers would be appreciated.
''Please maintain the public social distancing and
restriction advice as we all walk through this very difficult time. He has since been buried according to
Islamic rites. May Allah SWA have mercy on him.”
