Lagos State Government has said six Coronavirus patients have recovered in Lagos and will be discharged on Friday.

This was disclosed by Tunde Ajayi, Special Assistant on Health on his twitter page on Thursday.

"Tomorrow we're going to discharge six patients" - @ProfAkinAbayomi https://t.co/lKAbqXUw49

— Tunde Ajayi (@thetundeajayi) March 26, 2020

The Commissioner for Health Lagos State, Professor Akin Abayomi, revealed this in an exclusive interview with Sheriff Quadry on the Morning Crossfire on Nigeria Info FM.

According to Abayomi, six people will be discharged from the isolation centre in the State on Friday. "We are going to discharge six out of our 24 patients. So our admitted patients will go down theoretically to 18 but if we admit more they will go up."

Meanwhile, Abayomi assured Nigerians that the government is working hard to ensure cases of coronavirus are contained adding that Lagos State has "expanded capacities" to deal with the pandemic.

He added that the Lagos State government is building 250 bed capacity tents in three locations and are also "refurbishing a whole hospital in Gbagada" to accomodate potential patients.

Speaking on the state of the wards,The Health Commisioner also made it clear that recovering patients "can't be reinfected while still in the ward" adding that the wards are "very comfortable" and clean with patients having access to Wifi and television but he insists that patients have to remain in the ward till " they survive the virus."

Source: NigeriaInfo

There will be no military lockdown of Nigeria tomorrow, as part of measures to contain coronavirus epidemic, the Army has said.

Col. Sagir Musa, acting Director Army Public Relations, described the reports as false and misleading.

The reports were designed by certain mischievous elements to create chaos, panic and disaffection in the society, Musa said.

He said the document quoted was a proactive directive for the Nigerian army to prepare for possible escalation of the COVID -19 based on the happenings around the world on the pandemic.

He said the promoters of the reports had some ulterior motives.

“The misinterpretation that government is locking down the entire country and pulling out the army by Friday, March 27, is utterly false and baseless.

“The NA considers the publication and negative interpretation being given the content of the Classified document containing information meant for the army personnel as a violation of the Official Secret Act.

Musa gave the assurance that the Nigerian army would continue to be professional, proactive and responsive in support of the constitution, democracy and government.

He said this will be in line with its constitutional mandate of providing aid to civil authority.

“The mischief of some unpatriotic few will not dissuade the Nigerian Army from working with sister services, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to keep Nigeria safe”, he said.

Abdulkadir Mohammed Salihu, a former sales assistant of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Kaduna Depot on Wednesday got a kid-glove treatment from a Nigerian court.

Justice Z. B Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Kaduna gave Salihu a N1 million fine or a three-year jail term after a proven theft of over N6billion from the NNPC.

After the assets seized from him were added, it did not appear Salihu got a full measure of retribution for his offence.

The EFCC arrested Salihu on 29 October last year. Before his arrest, he was in charge of loading manifest at the Kaduna Depot of the NNPC.

The EFCC arraigned him on Wednesday on a three-count charge of fraud before Justice Abubakar.

Salihu pleaded guilty to the charge.

Deborah Ademu-Eteh prosecuting on behalf of EFCC subsequently asked the court to summarily sentence Salihu.

The convict was arrested after several petitions against him were submitted to the Kaduna Zonal office of the EFCC.

Upon investigation, the EFCC discovered that Salihu conspired with some unidentified oil marketers to lift petroleum products without payment to the NNPC at the depot.

The theft was estimated at over N6 billion.

The investigation further revealed that he was part of the cartel behind multiple loading of petroleum products, without corresponding payments. He committed the fraud between 2009 to 2017 at Kaduna Depot

Following his guilty plea, Justice Abubakar sentenced the suspect to a term of three years imprisonment with an option of N1 million fine..

The convict also forfeited the following items:

• One unit of three-bedroom apartment and one unit of two-bedroom boy’s quarter situated at 2 Kpak Close, off College Road, Kurmin Mashin, Kaduna;

• One-storey building containing four bedrooms and one bedroom self-contained with its appurtenances situated at 4 Kpak close, off College Road, Kurmin Mashin, Kaduna;

• One unit of three-bedroom apartment with two parlours and one self-contained bedroom situated at 6 Kpak Close, off College Road, Kurmin Mashin, Kaduna;

• a water factory known as Ummus Water and Drinks Ltd, situated at Birnin Yero, Igabi Local Government in Kaduna;

• One Fuel Station with four pumps with the name: Aminu and Salihu Ltd, situated at Sabon Gayan, Panturawa, along Saminaka, Jos Road, Kaduna.

• Five vehicles: One Odyssey Space Bus; One Toyota Tacoma Pick-up; One Toyota RAV 4 SUV; One Lexus 350 SUV; One Mitsubishi Petroleum Tanker.

The Judge also ordered the defendant to forfeit his Gratuity and 30 per cent of his monthly pension to the Federal Republic of Nigeria

World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has placed himself in self-isolation following a meeting with coronavirus victim Prince Charles.

Chales, the eldest son and heir to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, is showing mild symptoms of coronavirus and is self-isolating in Scotland, officials said on Wednesday.

It remains unclear when Charles caught the illness but on March 9, he spent the day with the Queen, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and stars of sport and entertainment — including Joshua — at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

A spokesman for Joshua told the Daily Mail: “AJ is at home following government guidelines, he is fit and well. He wishes everyone affected a speedy recovery and a huge thank you to all the front line key workers.”

Joshua is due to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20.

But the coronavirus could delay that bout and push back a hugely anticipated all-British fight with WBC champion Tyson Fury until next year at the earliest.

In a series of Twitter posts on Tuesday, Joshua thanked all those involved in trying to combat the coronavirus by saying: “It’s humbling to see people giving their everything right now to keep us safe. Shout to everyone on the front-line.

“We see you, we appreciate you, we thank you and we’re in awe of you!”

The Commissioner of Police, Katsina command, Mr Sanusi Buba, has directed the release on bail of all suspects with bailable offences as part of measures to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Gambo Isah, disclosed to newsmen on Wednesday in Katsina.

“All Area Commanders, DPOs, CIDs, SARS and SIB, have been directed to release on bail all suspects whose offences are bailable, and also to avoid unnecessary detention of suspects.

“It is pertinent at this moment to reiterate the commitment of the Katsina state police command to the measures taken by the Katsina state government and the Inspector-General of Police, aimed at containing the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

According to him, such measures include the total ban on social gatherings and events in the state.

The CP also called on all business owners to provide hand sanitisers for those seeking to enter their business premises.

“They are to also provide thermometers to measure people’s temperature,” he said.

Amidst fears of the spread of COVID-19, the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Ramatu Aliyu has gone into self-isolation while she awaits the result of her test.

Aliyu disclosed this in a tweet on Wednesday, saying that she was in contact with persons who tested positive for the virus and that necessitated her action.

I have just given my samples to test for #COVID19

I feel well &have been in self isolation since yesterday evening, because, I was in contact with people who tested positive for Corona Virus.

Please stay safe and observe all precautionary measures outlined by @NCDCgov Dr RTA pic.twitter.com/UIXXJpSnyR

— Hajiya (Dr.) Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu (@DrRamatuAliyu) March 25, 2020

She said, “I have just given my samples to test for #COVID19… I feel well & have been in self-isolation since yesterday evening, because, I was in contact with people who tested positive for Corona Virus.”

A number of top government officials and their aides have been reported to have contracted the COVID-19 disease.

Apart from the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has also tested positive to the virus.

As of now, Nigeria has recorded 44 cases, of which one has died and two discharged.

Adamu Mohammed Duguri, the elder brother of the Bauchi state Governor Bala Mohammed has just been confirmed kidnapped this evening.

He was allegedly taken captive around 7:30 pm on Wednesday at Anguwar Jaki in Bauchi metropolis.

The news came a day after the Governor was confirmed positive for Coronavirus.

The entire Ozoara Community in Mgbidi, Imo State, was thrown into mourning after a jilted Police Inspector, Kenneth Enamika, attached to 29 PMF, Awka, Anambra State, killed his ex-lover, Oluchi Aputanze and her husband, Cajethan and then killed himself.

Reports have it that the jilted Police officer murdered the couple after he ambushed them, used AK-47 rifle, shot them and ensured that they were dead before he killed himself.

The officer, Kenneth, was said to have done so after Oluchi reportedly deceived him and got married to her husband, Cajethan, after his financial commitment to her.

This was disclosed by the State Police Public Relation Officer, Orlando Ikeokwu, who said that the incident happened on 22nd March, 2020 and has thrown the whole community into a mourning mood.

The Police Inspector, according to the Police image maker left a suicide note and an AK-47 rifle at the scene, indicating that he shot and killed his ex-lover, Oluchi and subsequently killed his rival, Oluchi’s husband, Cajethan, before taking his own life.

The suicide note was also said to have contained how the late Police Inspector gave Oluchi the sum of N150, 000 on trust that she would get married to him only for him to discover later that she had already gotten married to Cajethan.

When the Police Inspector discovered the betrayal, he was said to have confronted Oluchi to refund his money but Oluchi’s husband according to the Police report threatened the late Police officer with a charm, which eventually made him to take the law into his own hands by killing the couple and himself.

The Police spokesman, Ikeokwu, said the corpses had been deposited in the morgue for autopsy report while investigation is on.

Source: PM News

The Presidential Task Force for the control of coronavirus (COVID-19), led by its Chairman, Boss Mustapha, on Tuesday, visited the State House, Abuja, amid speculation of suspected case of the virus.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the Presidential Task Force, which arrived at the Villa at about 2.18p.m., inspected some offices including that of the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

Mustapha and other members of the task force comprising ministers and health experts, spent about 15 minutes inspecting the offices.

ThisDay newspapers reported Tuesday morning that Kyari had tested positive for coronavirus disease,

When contacted for comment on their mission to villa, the task force declined comments, saying Nigerians should await their usual press briefing.

On whether some staff of the State House have tested positive for virus, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, passively stated that: “We don’t mention names in carrying out this responsibility. It’s a global practice so you don’t expect us to mention any name to you.”

After taking a careful look, Mustapha, who is the Secretary to Government of the Federation, advised journalists to imbibe the culture of wearing face masks to protect themselves from the disease.

“You people should start wearing face masks please. I can see that you are not taking this thing seriously. Wear face masks please. It is not a joke,’’ he said.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s statistics as at 2.00pm on Monday 24, indicated that Nigeria confirmed 42 cases of COVID-19 in the country, with two patients discharged and one death.

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity has said that the novel coronavirus disease is not a death sentence.

He spoke while assuring Nigerians on Wednesday that coronavirus-infected persons would receive adequate medical attention.

The presidential aide, who cited the recovery of the index case to buttress his point, emphasised that anybody that tested positive should not panic as the virus was curable.

“We also will pray along with the persons, give them our goodwill and best wishes and they will surely come out of it. Even the index case of the coronavirus disease in Nigeria recovered and has been discharged.

“God that has shown us mercy thus far will continue to show that mercy. Anybody that test positive is not a death sentence, they will be attended to, they will be tested and they will be fine,” he said.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday ordered the closure of all markets in the state except food markets and those selling essential commodities due to rise in coronavirus cases.

The governor said the closure of the markets would take effect from Thursday and would last for one week.

Happening now!
Live Broadcast #COVID19Lagos updates by @jidesanwoolu @followlasg@ProfAkinAbayomi @gbenga_omo @JokeSanwoolu @segalink @DrJoeAbah @HenshawKate @ogundamisi @aproko_doctor @lagospedia @lagospress @Mr_JAGs @Oreoluwa_Finnih @ogundamisi @OgbeniDipo @WHO pic.twitter.com/jfQbANtOGe

— LSMOH (@LSMOH) March 24, 2020

COVID19Lagos updates by @jidesanwoolu Part 3 pic.twitter.com/OQwqonBSGI

— LSMOH (@LSMOH) March 24, 2020

COVID19Lagos updates by @jidesanwoolu Part 4 pic.twitter.com/YxyyBiwZeK

— LSMOH (@LSMOH) March 24, 2020

Sanwo-Olu, who gave update on Coronavirus at the State House, Marina on Tuesday also reviewed the minimum number of people that could gather at a time to 25 from the initial 50.

He also ordered the closure of all public parks, swimming pools, gyms and others, with effect from Thursday.

THERE is palpable fears at the State House as three staff of the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari have tested positive to coronavirus (COVID-19).

A presidential source confirmed the development.

Meanwhile all the aides at the Vice President’s wing with the exception of his media aide did not turn up for work.

A source said the VP reported late to work on Monday afternoon unlike him.

Most of his aides had face masks and hand gloves on when they came to work on Monday.

Meanwhile the villa is on a gradual lockdown as none essential staff have been asked to stay away.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/03/breaking-covid-19-3-of-abba-kyaris-staff-test-positive/

Bauchi state’s Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed has been confirmed positive to Coronavirus.

His Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mukhtar Gidado, made this announcement through a statement on Tuesday afternoon.

This comes a day after the governor took the test after he had contact with the son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who was confirmed to have been infected with the virus.

The statement by Gidado said, “This is to inform the general public that of the six initial tests carried out by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control on His Excellency, his family members and aides that accompanied him to Lagos is out.

“One result was confirmed positive and it happened to be that of His Excellency, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Executive governor of Bauchi.

“The governor is in self-isolation as his doctors and officials of NCDC have taken full charge of his quarantine.”

Ope Saraki, cousin to former senate president was charged today with money laundering at a Federal High Court in Ilorin.

The EFCC accuses Ope Saraki of collecting N11.8million from one Kunle Adimula, an employee of Kwara State Government.

The agency said the money was more than the limit allowed under the Money Laundering Act.

Saraki, docked before Justice Babagana Ashigar of the Federal High Court, was a former Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals.

The offence is punishable under section 16 of the Money Laundering Act.

Prosecuting counsel, Sesan Ola, asked the court to fix a date for trial to enable it call its witnesses.

Lead defence counsel, Dr. Joshua Olatoke, SAN, urged the Court to use its discretion to grant bail to Saraki pending the hearing and final determination of the case.

Ruling, Justice Ashigar granted bail to Saraki in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

He ordered that one of the sureties must reside in the jurisdiction of the Court.

He ordered Saraki to submit his travel documents to the Chief Registrar of the Court.

The Judge also ordered the EFCC to detain Saraki until he perfects his bail conditions.

Hearing will continue on 15 May.

The National Leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said he was in support of total shutdown if necessary to halt the spread of Coronavirus.

Nigeria has so far recorded 42 infection of Coronavirus, with Lagos the worst hit with 29 cases.

Tinubu, who spoke after a closed door meeting with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the State House, Marina, urged all residents of Lagos and Nigerians in general to obey government’s directives and measures put in place to curtail the spread of Coronavirus.

Today, the former Governor of @followlasg, @AsiwajuTinubu lend his voice to the campaign against #COVID19. Tinubu who addressed press men after a meeting with @jidesanwoolu at the State House Marina commended the efforts of the @followlasg in educating citizens about #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/qoOHWgfQcX

— LSMOH (@LSMOH) March 24, 2020

Addressing newsmen, Tinubu who said he was in support of any decision taken by the government, including a total shutdown if necessary, to halt the spread of the virus, encouraged Nigerians to do the same.

So far, Lagos has the highest number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in the country.

The State Government had earlier implemented some measures, including social distancing and directing a category of its workers to work from home.

Lagos State Ministry of Health is sending out a warning to all participants at the just concluded African Magic Viewers’ Choice Award that they may have come in contact with one of the confirmed cases in Lagos.

I hereby notify you that all participants at the African Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) held on the 14th of March 2020 at @EkoHotels may have come in contact with one of the confirmed cases in Lagos and are most likely to have been exposed to #COVID19 Infection.

Attendees at the said event are therefor advised to:

• observe strict self- isolation.

• call our #TollFree line 08000corona if they notice any of the #COVID19 related symptoms

• Let's #TakeResponsibility by practicing #SocialDistancing to prevent the spread of the virus.

#COVID19 Lagos Alert🔊!
I hereby notify you that all participants at the African Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) held on14th March at @EkoHotels may have come in contact with one of the confirmed cases in Lagos and
are most likely to have been exposed to #COVID19 Infection. pic.twitter.com/kL2hswERf8

— LSMOH (@LSMOH) March 24, 2020

Former Vice president Atiku Abubakar has reacted to news that the Chief of Staff Abba Kyari has tested positive for coronavirus.

Atiku sent prayers and greetings on Twitter, he wrote; ”My thoughts and prayers are with Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. Allah ya kre mu gabaki daya, kuma ya bashi lafiya – AA”.

My thoughts and prayers are with Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. Allah ya kare mu gabaki daya, kuma ya bashi lafiya. -AA https://t.co/6iNB4D4uUx

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) March 24, 2020

ThisDay reported, quoting presidential sources, that Kyari had tested positive for the virus.

The newspaper said Kyari had travelled to Germany on Saturday, March 7th to meet with officials of Siemens in Munich on the Nigerian electricity expansion programme.

He returned exactly one week later on Saturday, March 14th, but did not show any symptoms.

Earlier, Kyari wrote to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Monday seeking due adherence to coronavirus screening at airports.

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to reports that his son refused to isolate himself upon return.

Atiku had on Sunday revealed that his son tested positive for the deadly disease.

He said he has been moved to Gwagwalada specialist hospital.

But reports on Monday emerged that Atiku’s son attended a popular club in Abuja, as well as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s rally that was held in Ibadan.

But reacting Atiku in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe debunked the reports.

Describing the reports as a ‘false narrative,’ Atiku said his son returned to the country on 17th March via Switzerland from some business engagements in France and Switzerland and isolated himself when he returned to Abuja.

He urged Nigerians to disregard the ‘perfidious information that his son accessed open location.

The statement reads, “The clinical case attended a private meeting of six (6) persons same day in Lagos, stayed in his private house for the night and took an Aero 5.20pm flight to Abuja on the 18th.

“The case did not travel with his family or any other but travelled alone by Emirates Airline.
The case wore face mask as a precautionary measure since his arrival in Nigeria.

“The case did not show symptoms of infection and voluntarily placed a call to NCDC on arrival in Abuja late on the 18th to inform them he had returned from COVID-19 prone country and desired to be tested.

“On the 19th, NCDC took his blood sample which result came positive on the 20th. He subsequently went into self-isolation to protect his family within his own house.

“Meantime his son has since tested negative while his wife’s result is being awaited. The two persons are currently in self-isolation.

“We urge members of the public to disregard the perfidious information that the case accessed open location. He was not at Play Lounge nor any other club in Abuja as being mischievously bandied about.

“The case neither attended the Friday Jumu’a prayers nor any social gathering until his evacuation to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital on the 20th where he is being treated and managed.

“We thank Nigerians for their prayers and support through this difficult time. Once again, it needs to be restated that the risk and danger of #COVID19 is real.”

The Federal Government has ordered civil servants to stay at home from Tuesday, 24 March, as the battle against Coronavirus was ramped up.

Head of Service, Folasade Yemi-Esan, in a memo said all civil servants from grade level one to 12 should work from home. Lagos gave the same order on Sunday.

For the senior civil servants coming to work, she ordered them to limit visitors

The head of service said government is concerned about the welfare and safety of all public servants just as it was about other Nigerians.

“All public servants are, therefore, strongly advised to follow the measures being put in place by government to curtail the spread of the pandemic,” she said.

“As a further step to check the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), all non-essential public servants on grade level 12 and below are to work from home with effect from Tuesday 24th March, 2020 until further notice.”

Earlier on Monday, the Federal Government ordered the total closure of all its land borders to halt the spread of the pandemic.

A 23-year-old secondary school teacher, Azunyere Chima, has been arrested by men of the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly having unlawful carnal knowledge of his 14-year-old pupil.

The suspect, an Arts teacher, reportedly deceived the pupil on the pretext of assisting her with the practical work.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Oyeyemi explained that the suspect allegedly dragged the victim to his room and forcefully had sex with her.

The PPRO added that the action of the suspect caused the victim to bleed heavily.

He said, “On March 22, 2020, Azunyere Chima was arrested by men of the Ogun State Police Command for forcefully having carnal knowledge of his 14-year-old pupil.

“The 23-year-old randy teacher was apprehended following a report by the father of the victim, who reported at the Ibafo Divisional Police Headquarters that his daughter was lured to the house of the suspect, who happened to be her Arts teacher, under the pretext that he wanted to help her with the practical work.

“But on getting to his house, the suspect dragged her into his room, overpowered her and forcefully had sex with her as a result of which the victim bled heavily from her private parts.

“Upon the report, the DPO, Ibafo, SP Abiodun Ayinde, detailed his detectives to the residence of the suspect at No. 2 Unity Close, Aseese, where he was promptly arrested.

“He has since made a confessional statement to the police, while the victim has been taken to hospital for treatment.”

Oyeyemi explained that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Kenneth Ebrimson, had directed that the suspect be transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for proper investigation and prosecution.