The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC reported six additional coronavirus cases on Friday, taking the national tally to 190.

All the cases came from Osun, NCDC said in a tweet at 11 a.m today.

“As at 11:00 am 3rd April there are 190 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Twenty have been discharged with two deaths”, NCDC said.

Six new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Osun State, Nigeria.

As at 11:00 am 3rd April there are 190 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Twenty have been discharged with two deaths pic.twitter.com/47NVeHMEux

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 3, 2020

As at 11:00 am 3rd April, there are

190 confirmed cases
20 discharged
2 deaths

For a breakdown of cases by states- http://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng

Currently;
Lagos- 98
FCT- 38
Osun- 20
Oyo- 8
Akwa Ibom- 5
Ogun- 4
Edo- 4
Kaduna- 4
Bauchi- 3
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-1
Benue- 1

As at 11:00 am 3rd April, there are

190 confirmed cases
20 discharged
2 deaths

For a breakdown of cases by states- https://t.co/zQrpNeOfet

Currently;
Lagos- 98
FCT- 38
Osun- 20
Oyo- 8
Akwa Ibom- 5
Ogun- 4
Edo- 4
Kaduna- 4
Bauchi- 3
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-1
Benue- 1

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 3, 2020

There is tension in Ejigbo, Osun State after rumours emerged that a suspected COVID-19 patient left the isolation centre at Unity High School and visited a pub in the town.

WuzupNigeria gathered that the man is one of the 127 Cote d’Ivoire returnees from which 18 were diagnosed with the virus after tests.

The Punch Newspapers reports that many residents of Ejigbo stayed indoor.

Quoting sources, the paper reported that the decision to stay indoor was not only as a result of the stay-at-home directive of the state government but largely due to the fear that the man that reportedly left the isolation centre might have spread the virus.

“Some of them don’t believe they are threats with their status, but we have been explaining to them the need to remain in isolation to prevent community spread of the disease,” the paper quoted a resident of Ejigbo, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

At the isolation centre, sources confided in one of our correspondents, said agitation by those in the centre continued, even though operatives of Department of State Services had also been drafted into the premises to join anti-riot police in providing security.

Osun State deputy governor, Benedict Alabi, it was learnt also visited the centre on Thursday to ensure that the situation was put under control.

The Osun State Government on Thursday confirmed that six more Cote d’Ivoire returnees tested positive for coronavirus. With the latest cases, the state now has 20 COVID-19 cases.

The Osun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, said all the 127 returnees had been tested and 18 of them had returned positive.

All the 18 coronavirus cases were said to have been moved out of the isolation centre to another facility. Before 18 cases were recorded, the state had two COVID-19 patients.

The 127 travellers from the West African nation had arrived the state last Saturday and were kept in isolation at the Unity High School, Ejigbo, where many of the returnees hailed from.

A woman who allegedly tested positive for COVID-19 escaped from the hospital and when police gave chase, she resisted and attacked them by pouring liquid on them and allegedly spitting on them.

In a video shared online by ABC News, police in Chile are seen chasing the 26-year-old woman. When they caught up with her, she poured liquid from a cup on them. She also allegedly spat on them and threw angry words at them.

She was eventually arrested and handcuffed.

View this post on Instagram

Police in Chile chased down a 26-year-old woman who allegedly tested positive for COVID-19 and escaped from the hospital where she was being treated. The woman threw liquid and allegedly spit on officers as they attempted to apprehend her. #covid19 #coronavirus #chile

A post shared by ABC News (@abcnews) on Apr 2, 2020 at 9:44am PDT

A man has died a painful death after a billboard fell on him during a storm in Aba, Abia State.

Another man trapped by the huge board was said to be fighting for his life at a hospital in the commercial city.

The incident happened on Wednesday, The Nation gathered.

An eyewitnesses said the two persons were trapped under the heavy board before construction workers pulled them out with heavy-duty equipment.

One of them was dead, the other critically injured, the witness said.

Fear has gripped residents of Omole Estate as a resident suspected to have been infected with the COVID-19 pandemic has died at home, throwing the whole estate into confusion.

The incident, we gathered occured in Omole Estate Phase II, which extends into Olowoira, Lagos. The patient, we gathered became very sick, exhibting symptoms noted for the COVID-19 pandemic and was taken to the Primary Health Centre in the area but when there was no ambulance from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Contro, (NCDC) and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) to evacuate her to the Infectious Disease Centre, Yaba, she was returned to her residence in a tricycle where she eventually died.

The incident has forced Chairman of the resident association in Omole Estate Phase II to put up a notice warning people to stay at home to aviod spreading the pandemic.

In the Memo to residents, Chairman, Omole Phase II, Mr. Bamidele Lanisa noted that many people could have come into cintact with the patient, stressing that the risk of transmission is real in the neighbourhood.

“We advise residents to please stay in their houses and refrain from unnecessarily going about. Please safe. We advise a total stay at home for now”, he said.

Here is his full memo to residents of the estate.

Dear Residents,

This is to inform you that there is a confirmed case of coronavirus in our neighboring community (Olowoira). The patient was taken to the Health Centre and when the NCDC/Lagos ambulance was unavailable to evacuate her, she was returned to her residence in a tricycle and eventually died.

As you can imagine, many people came in contact with the patient and the risk to transmission in the neighborhood is real.

We advise residents to please stay in their houses and refrain from unnecessarily going about.

Please safe. We advise a total stay at home for now.

Thank you.

Bamidele Lanisa
Chairman OMOLE PH 2

A 32-year old suspected cultist, Ahmed Kabiru, has told the Police in Lagos that his role as a member of the Aiye Confraternity was to kill and it does not take him time to kill people during operations.

The suspect, Kabiru, made the confession after he was arrested by Police operatives from the Anti-Cultism Unit, Lagos State Police Command.

Kabiru, who claimed to be a member of Aiye Confraternity, said he had so far killed four persons but the Police believe he was being economical with the truth.

The Kano State-born Kabiru said the four victims he had killed were members of a rival cult group, Eiye Confraternity, and he did so during gang wars in Ebute-Metta area of the state.

He said that whenever he wanted to kill, a veil usually covered his eyes, making him not to think twice before slaughtering rivals.

“Whenever I want to kill any of our rivals, it is always like a veil falls over my eyes; I don’t even feel remorseful after killing. There was a day I killed a rival member; I shot him on the head while he was trying to escape when he saw me coming towards his direction. I felt something struck me on my chest. Three days after, I fell sick and I was sick for two months.”

The suspect, who hails from Kano State, said he was born in Ebute-Metta area of the metropolis and was initiated into cultism at the age of 19, while he was in Senior Secondary School.

“I was initiated when I was in Secondary School inside a forest at Ikorodu. While in the forest, I was tortured and made to take an oath never to disclose what transpired there to anyone. After I was initiated, I didn’t participate in their activities for some years. I didn’t participate because I was worried over what my parents would say if they found out I was involved in cultism. I was also scared that I might be killed.

“It was in 2018 that I started participating in the activities of Aiye properly. It was after members of the Eiye Confraternity started killing our members on a daily basis. It was the same year I was given a pistol to lead a squad, which confronted Eiye members at Ebute-Metta. On the fateful day, I killed one of our rivals and injured several others.”

Kabiru said his display in the battlefield on the fateful day impressed the Aiye leader so much that he immediately promoted him above others.

“It was same day that I was promoted to the rank of a ‘Butcher’. My role as a Butcher was to lead during fights and also to discipline any of our erring members. Since then, I have not looked back in the discharge of my duties. It was the members of the Eiye Confraternity that attacked and killed our members first.

“Initially, we didn’t want to retaliate but when it was becoming unbearable, we had to confront them. I have killed three other Eiye members at different locations at Ondo Street in Ebute-Metta.”

Kabiru said he killed the three Eiye members at their base at about 1am while the victims were sleeping when he got there.

”I shot the three of them on different parts of their bodies. It was the following day that I heard the gunshots hit two on the chest and one on the skull. What we were doing was counting the number of people that died in both confraternities.

“Some Aiye members always came from outside the state to assist in our fights against the Eiye rivals. Among those who came to assist in confronting the Eiye group were Aliu and ‘Landlord’ from Ajah. They were among those who cut off the rivals’ heads and dropped them at some junctions in Ajah in 2019.

“After the clash between Aiye and Eiye at Ebute-Metta, operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad from Mushin arrested me over the murder of the four rival members that I had killed during the clashes. I spent three months in the cell. When I came out, I returned to my members and we celebrated my release.

“Whenever I finished any of the operations, we would return our arms to our colleagues at Ajah to keep. Our colleagues from Ajah always brought the arms through the lagoon to Ebute-Metta” he confessed.

Kabiru narrated that when he was in SARS detention, he heard the word of God repeatedly yet did not heed to it.

“Whenever they were preaching to us, I didn’t believe in what they were telling us. It was because my soul was strongly with the devil. I didn’t show any remorse whenever I killed then. It was in the Anti-Cultism detention facility that I began to realise that I had been in darkness.

“Some of our members killed by the Eiye members were Babalawo, Bebeto, Mapola, Shepe and his friend, Yamuse, Egbo and Obokun. At least 20 others were killed and several others sustained permanent injuries during clashes.”

Kabiru said after the death of their leader, he was supposed to become the next in line. Unfortunately, that was when SARS operatives arrested and detained him for months before he was later released.

“Initially, my parents didn’t know I was a member of Aiye cult group. It was after I was arrested by SARS operatives that my father knew what I was into. My parents threatened to disown me if I didn’t renounce cultism. There was no way I could withdraw from the group. I had gone far and I don’t regret my actions. I don’t also think I can stop killing. So you people should better kill me or I’ll kill more persons” he said.

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has ordered immediate investigation into allegations of assault, battery and other serious crimes levied against the state Commissioner for water resources, Mr Abdulmumini Danga.

The Commissioner for information and communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed this in a statement in Lokoja on Thursday.

“The governor, being an avowed advocate of fundamental human rights is shocked by these allegations and will not allow them to go uninvestigated.

”The governor has ordered accelerated investigation into the matter and hereby assures both accuser and accused, as well as the general public, that the whole truth will be uncovered and justice served as appropriate,” the commissioner said.

A lady (name withheld) had accused the Commissioner of abducting and assaulting recently in Lokoja recently.

However, government in the statement, reaffirmed its unalloyed commitment to the protection of all residents from all forms of oppression

”We will not tolerate violence against women or children under any form or guise.

“We give our word that if these allegations are proven, everyone found culpable will be brought to justice,” the statement said.

The governor then called on the people of the state to continue to observe the protocols of prevention and safety relating to the COVIDD-19 outbreak. ( NAN)

Nigerian discharged coronavirus patients rose to 20 with the additional discharge of 11 more by the Lagos State Government. This was disclosed by the Governor Sanwo-Olu via his twitter handle @@jidesanwoolu.

It states " I am happy to break to you, my good people of Lagos, the news of the release today of 11 more patients from our facility in Yaba.

They have fully recovered and have tested negative to #COVID19 and have been allowed to return home to their families."

I am happy to break to you, my good people of Lagos, the news of the release today of 11 more patients from our facility in Yaba.

They have fully recovered and have tested negative to #COVID19 and have been allowed to return home to their families.

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) April 2, 2020

The Governor's Speech

My dear Lagosians, greetings.

Today, I have some good news for you concerning our desperate battle against Coronavirus, the lethal disease that has changed our world and tested to the limit our resilience as a people.

Even as this battle continues, amid so much anxiety all over the world, I am happy to break to you, my good people of Lagos, the news of the release today of 11 more patients from our facility in Yaba.

They have fully recovered and tested negative to COVID-19 and have been allowed to return home to their families. This brings to 18 the number of discharged patients in Lagos since the index case was reported.

The patients include two females and nine males, who were discharged after testing negative twice consecutively to COVID19.

That the test results of these patients came out negative twice is a big assurance to us that they pose no threat to the community. We are, therefore, releasing them in furtherance of our commitment to a disease-free state.

May I use this opportunity to, once again, thank our frontline health workers who took care of the patients as well as members of the Lagos State Health family and the Emergency Operation Centre for their resilience and diligence in the face of the daunting challenges confronting our State in curtailing the spread of this pandemic.

It is a thing of joy that we have not recorded any mortality and we hope – and pray – that it remains so.

We will not rest on our oars but continue to work assiduously for the full recovery of the other patients so that they can return home to their families and the community.

I am happy to note the excitement of the patients. They are full of gratitude to our dear State that has stood by them all the way, the health workers and all those who contributed one way or the other in the fight against this unseen but vicious enemy of mankind.

The Health Commissioner and all members of the medical team got kudos.

One of the former patients said: “Initially, I found it hard to settle into the facility. In fact, the first two days I spent here were so lonely for me, but I gradually settled and found companion in my fellow ward mates. The doctors and other health workers who attended to us were amazing and we appreciate their sacrifices.”

May I warn that this is not the time to relax, but to maintain our vigilance against Coronavirus because of the community infection that we are beginning to experience. We should be sober as the battle continues.

I, therefore, advise Lagosians to remain steadfast as they stick to the rules of hygiene we have been told to practice.

Let us continue to observe Social Distancing. Let us remain indoors, shunning the temptation to breach the presidential restriction that has been placed on our state so that the gains made so far in the fight against COVID-19 is not eroded.

We should shun any gathering for whatever reason at this delicate period.

Reports of youths gathering for social and sporting activities – as well as those massing for religious purposes – are unfortunate. This kind of insensitivity could be a weak link in our collective effort to break the chain of transmission of the infection.

The order for law enforcement agents to ensure that residents comply with the directive to stay indoors remains. I enjoin members of the Organised Private Sector and others to read the Federal Government’s guidelines on the restriction of movement so that the directive is not breached in any way.

Again, I assure you that at the end of it all, we will hoist a flag of victory – with your co-operation and by the grace of The Almighty.

Thank you.

Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu

April 2, 2020

The Anambra State police command has arrested four fake health officers with fake and adulterated sanitizers in Onitsha, the commercial city of the state.

In a statement released, the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Haruna Mohammed, said the suspects were arrested on March 31st.

''On the 31/3/2020 at about 3 pm, following intelligence report, police operatives attached to Central Police Station Onitsha, arrested the following syndicate, Anthony Chidubem Oyatubo ‘m’ aged 30 years of Nimo, Njikoka LGA, Nwachukwu Chidi ‘m’ aged 31 years of Awka, Chris C.Okeke ‘m’ aged 30years of Awka and Olisa Moura ‘m’ aged 25 years of Onitsha''.

Haruna in the statement said the suspects who claimed to be officials of the Ministry of health fully kitted with reflective jackets and caps with inscriptions ”FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19″, were arrested with flyers, hand sanitizers and face masks which they produced locally under unhygienic conditions and selling the products to the unsuspecting members of the public as well as distributing same to various outlets in Onitsha before their arrests.

The spokesperson said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were neither government workers nor health officials as they claimed but misguided elements who took advantage of the present pandemic situation to market their unhygienic products to the oblivious buyers.

“Exhibits recovered in their possessions includes, three cartons of hand sanitizers, flyers, several reflective jackets, four caps and over fifty nose masks, he added.

He aded that the suspects would be charged to Court once investigation has been concluded.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected the test results of the five coronavirus cases announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Wednesday night, The Nation reports.

It fingered irregularities in the testing process and thereby called on the Centre to conduct another round of tests forthwith.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the government said all the fives cases reported to have tested positive for COVID-19 were yet to show any symptom of the virus.

It alleged that the NCDC Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, was not aware of the results before the announcement.

The statement read, “We observed a disturbing breach in the test and reporting procedure. Akwa Ibom State Government only heard about the test results in the news

“The Director-General of NCDC was not aware of the reported result announcement.

“All five reported positive test cases have been contacted and they have shown no COVID-19 symptoms.

“While the tests were being processed in NCDC-approved test facilities, all suspected cases were held in isolation.

“Several sample batches have been previously sent for testing from Akwa Ibom State and they all returned negative results.

“Owing to the irregularities observed in the testing and reporting procedure, Health Care Professionals in Akwa Ibom State have called for an immediate reconfirmation test on the five reported cases.”

In what will come across as a really shocking development, a woman has poured hot water on her husband in Onitsha.

It was a really tragic incident that occurred today at Stuart Young Street in Odoakpu, Onitsha after a wife reportedly poured hot water on her husband after a heated argument.

In a video which has gone viral on social media, the man who was left with burn injuries was heard screaming in pain while being fanned by some residents of the neighbourhood.

Anambra-based OAP, Gwem Divy Ifeson wrote: SIT AT HOME PALAVA

"Wife pours hot water on the husband after a heated argument this morning at Stuart young street odoakpu onitsha Anambra State"

Watch:

View this post on Instagram

Wife reportedly pours hot water on husband after a heated argument today in Onitsha, amid #Coronavirus lockdown in Anambra

A post shared by Lindaikejiblog (@lindaikejiblogofficial) on Apr 2, 2020 at 6:02am PDT

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has engaged deities in Ile Ife, Osun State to cleanse the country from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ooni, in a statement, charged residents of Ile-Ife to stay indoors throughout Thursday as masqueraders will be performing traditional rite to cleanse Nigeria from the pandemic.

He said the Oro deities would be moving around the entire Ife town to perform spiritual rites against the spread of the virus.

He warned residents to steer clear the streets as the deities must not to be seen by any human being.

He also explained that the rites would help in returning peace to the land and the country.

A resident of the Ile-Ife, Issac Abraham, when contacted confirmed that the Oro ritual has commenced in the town and restriction of movement commenced by 8 am and ends at 6 pm.

A man has suffered a gruesome death at the hands of his lover, one Chinenye Okoro, at Akaeze community in the Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

AskNigeria gathered that Chinenye had grabbed the genitals of her lover, one Ifeanyi Okoro, and squeezed it till he died.

The incident happened on Tuesday.

It was gathered that the duo were lovers until the incident happened. They were said to have had quarrels which got to a point where both threatened each other’s life.

It was learnt that the deceased’s lifeless body was found on the floor of his door by a villager, after the suspect allegedly killed him, by dragging his genitals, which led to his instant death.

The Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the incident on Thursday.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs Loveth Odah, said,

“On 31/03/2020, at about 11am, one Rose John ‘f’ in company of one Sunday Ngwoke ‘m’ reported at Ivo Police Division that while she was frying garri in her kitchen, she saw one Chinenye Okoro ran across her compound and jumped fence, which got her attention.

“That she decided to find out what happened in the next neighbouring compound, only to see the lifeless body of one Ifeanyi Okoro (aka Nwaogbi), lying on the ground in front of his doorpost.

“Following the report, Police detectives quickly mobilised to scene, rushed the victim to Marthama Hospital Akaeze, Ivo L.G.A of the State for medical treatment and he was confirmed dead by a medical practitioner on duty. The body was deposited at Izunna Mortuary Services Ltd, for preservation and autopsy.

“Investigations revealed that the deceased was a boyfriend to Chinenye Okoro, and that the two lovers had a misunderstanding and as result the girlfriend (Chinenye) dragged the deceased penis, which allegedly led to his death.

“The suspect, Chinenye Okoro, had since fled the scene immediately after the incident. Her mother, one Roseline Okoro, who witnessed the incident was arrested after a bid of escape.

“However, effort is on to arrest the principal suspect and the case is under investigation after which suspect(s) would be charged to court for prosecution.”

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan Prof. Jesse Otegbayo has tested negative for coronavirus, after spending eight days in isolation and treatment.

According to The Nation, the Head of Public Relations Unit of the hospital, Mr Toye Akinrinlola disclosed that the last test on his blood sample return negative.

Akinrinlola said the test result arrived at about 3:45 pm to gladden the heart of family, friends and workers of the institution.

Otegbayo had tested positive to the virus last week. He said he may have contracted the virus through Board meetings of the hospital which were held from Monday to Wednesday last week. The week-long meetings were suspended on last Thursday after some members showed symptoms of coronavirus.

He was among the eight confirmed cases in Oyo State as at Wednesday April 1. The Provost of the College of Medicine and his deputy have also tested positive to the virus and have since placed themselves in self-isolation.

Facts have emerged on how a 20 year old undergraduate of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Chitere Okoronkwo, allegedly murdered her ex-lover, Johnmark Osigwe, in cold blood after receiving N7m compensation from him.

According to P.M.EXPRESS reports that the late Osigwe, 24, reportedly jilted Chitere for another lady and in order to pacify her, he paid her the money as compensation.

However, the money did not assuage Chitere to change her mind and spare Osigwe as she reportedly arranged with an assassin and Osigwe was murdered.

Chitere was later apprehended by the Police in connection with the death of her ex-boyfriend, Johnmark Osigwe and she is currently undergoing interrogation in Police custody.
This was confirmed by the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Dasuki Galadanchi, who said investigations by the Police showed that Chitere and Johnmark were lovers and after they fell out she allegedly masterminded his killing and afterwards fled to South Africa.

“When their relationship got sour and ended, the girl demanded compensation. The deceased, due to persistent threats to life before being assassinated had paid N1.8m for shop rent and N2m for interior decoration of the shop to the estranged girlfriend. Not done with the threats, she demanded N3m, which the deceased gave through a lawyer. Before the money was finally paid to the lady, he was murdered inside his Mercedes SUV.
“After his death, the lady fled to South Africa. The suspect, Chitere Okoronkwo, has confessed that she told a guy that she wanted the victim dead due to their misunderstanding.”
The Police Boss said investigations are currently going on and that the suspect would be charged to Court soon after the conclusion of the investigations.

The suspect may spend the rest of her life in prison or hanged if she is tried before the Court and found guilty of murder as the Police had alleged and she had confessed to have committed.

Source: PM Express

A cleric, Pastor Segun Agbaaraojo, has finally destroyed his marriage after his wife, Adeola, reportedly caught him pants down having sex with a married Church member in his office in Lagos.

According to reports , Mrs. Adeola has filed a suit before the Family Court in Epe, Lagos, asking the Court to dissolve the marriage which had produced four children and three are adults.

An embittered Mrs. Adeola Agbaraojo, while presenting the ground of seeking for divorce, narrated her experience of catching her husband pants down with one of his Church members on 13th March, 2020. She told the Court to dissolve her marriage with her husband, Segun, because of his high level of infidelity and betrayal despite the fact that Segun Agbaraojo is the pastor of a Church.

When the Court asked him about the wife’s allegation, Segun confessed to have engaged in the bad act when the wife caught him before his counsel, Barr. Ojoolape, prayed the Court to have mercy on his client, as his client might have been tempted to indulge in such act.

But Mrs. Adeola Agbaraojo, already with four kids, said she can no longer live with Pastor Agbaraojo because he betrayed the trust she had in him before they got married some years back.

The presiding Judge, Justice Mobolape Idowu, gave an order for the woman to take the youngest kid into custody but allowed the eldest be taken care of by the father as he cannot be denied the paternity of the child. But the Justice said the kids can be seen by their father whenever he so wished.
The Court also ordered him to pay a fine of N1,000,000 to his wife or be sentenced to three months in Correctional facility as damages to the wife’s image.
The children were said to be allowed to choose whoever they want to follow out of their mother or father as they were already grown.
Family members in attendance could not but cry as they witnessed the end of the marriage in their presence.

Source: PM Express

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday received briefing in respect of the Economic Impact of COVID-19 from Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed and others at the State House, Abuja.

Also at the meeting were the Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva; Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele and the Group Managing Director,. GMD, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mele Kyari.

The Lagos State COVID-19 Taskforce, mandated by the State Government to monitor and enforce compliance against public gatherings exceeding 25 people, was on Tuesday attacked by some Muslim worshippers at the Agege Central Mosque.

Speaking on the incident, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and leader of the Taskforce, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe condemned the attack and described it as barbaric and uncalled for, saying “our people are out to protect the residents of the State and yet were attacked for doing their jobs”.

She stated that the State Government will not hesitate to sanction violators to serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was obvious the gathering did not comply with the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on public gathering and social distancing.

According to her, Taskforce team COVID-19, comprising of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Lagos Safety Commission and the Rapid Response Squad, saw the Muslim faithful observing their evening prayer (Solatul Eshai) in a large congregation, contrary to the directive on total lockdown to stem the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic in the State.

“However, a drama ensued when some of the Muslim youths sighted the team and became aggressive, unruly and started to attack the team. Others in the mosque, numbering about 300 rushed out chanting ALLAHU AKBAR and joined them in the attack by throwing stones at the vehicles. All entreaties to talk to the Imam failed as the youth were persistent. But the Police escort rose to the occasion by curbing further attacks and ensuring the safety of the team”, she disclosed.

Fasawe revealed that the Agency has been enjoying support and compliance from religious houses and was surprised that the congregation of a mosque that was visited last week could default and also attack government officials trying to enforce compliance.

In her words, “The team has visited several places of worship and have been able to enlighten them and advocate the social distancing approach in all gatherings. But in this instance, the mosque was filled to capacity. The essence of social distancing is to curtail the spread of Coronavirus. The people are endangering their lives and those of their neighbours”.

While noting that the State Government remains committed to protecting all residents, Dr. Fasawe promised to escalate the matter to appropriate quarters because such gathering should not be allowed to continue in the interest of all.

In his own remark, the Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission and Co-Leader of the Taskforce, Mr. Lanre Mojola observed that the leadership of the two prominent religious organisations in the State had been adequately sensitised and carried along in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“But we won’t relent, we will continue to appeal to our people to heed advice. Prayers can be observed at home, businesses can be resuscitated but this deadly virus is dangerous if not well managed and timely controlled. If not for us, but for our families, friends and neighbours, let us do the needful and observe safety measures at all times,” he added.

Majola, therefore, implored all Lagosians to comply fully with the directive as the present administration will not hesitate to apply the law when necessary.

Recall that the Lagos State Special Taskforce on COVID-19 was recently inaugurated by the State Government to enforce the executive orders toward curtailing the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

A woman has been rescued after she jumped into the Osun River in Osun State in a bid to commit suicide over hunger occasioned by total lockdown of the state due to coronavirus pandemic.

Osun State currently has 14 cases of coronavirus and the state government has shutdown the state to curb spread of the virus.

Abdul-Wasiu Ismail, an eyewitness said the woman claimed to have jumped into the river because of hunger after separating from her husband

The woman is said to have three children whom she said she could not cater for because of her plight.

She was, however, rescued by good Samaritans.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State had recently announced the total lockdown of the state, following the confirmation of the second case of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Twenty-three new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria; 9 in Lagos, 7 in the FCT, 5 in Akwa Ibom, 1 in Kaduna and 1 in Bauchi State

As at 08:00 pm 1st April there are 174 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Nine have been discharged with two deaths.

Twenty-three new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria; 9 in Lagos, 7 in the FCT, 5 in Akwa Ibom, 1 in Kaduna and 1 in Bauchi State

As at 08:00 pm 1st April there are 174 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Nine have been discharged with two deaths pic.twitter.com/Wy9MzX1lsr

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 1, 2020

As at 08:00 pm 1st April, there are

174 confirmed cases
9 discharged
2 deaths

For a breakdown of cases by states- http://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng

Currently;
Lagos- 91
FCT- 35
Osun- 14
Oyo- 8
Ogun- 4
Edo- 4
Kaduna- 4
Bauchi- 3
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-1
Benue- 1
Akwa Ibom- 5

As at 08:00 pm 1st April, there are

174 confirmed cases
9 discharged
2 deaths

For a breakdown of cases by states- https://t.co/zQrpNeOfet

Currently;
Lagos- 91
FCT- 35
Osun- 14
Oyo- 8
Ogun- 4
Edo- 4
Kaduna- 4
Bauchi- 3
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-1
Benue- 1
Akwa Ibom- 5

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 1, 2020