Kogi State government has alleged plans by certain vested interest to import the COVID-19 or declare fictitious cases in the state.
In a statement by the commissioner for information and communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, on Tuesday in Lokoja, the state government noted that certain development and moves from powerful quarters point to an “unholy conspiracy to declare COVID-19 in all states of the federation”.
Making reference to the case of an expartrate, who suspected that she had COVID-19 symptoms in the state but was declared free of the disease by the state officials, the state said it is on top of the game.
The team, which was said to have been led by the commissioner for health, Dr Saka Haruna to ascertained the suspect’s claim, noted that her case didn’t fit into the spectrum of criteria set by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for actual or suspected COVID-19 cases requiring testing.
However, the expartrate insisted that her case be escalated to the NCDC for COVID-19 testing.
The state government said it viewed the lady’s insistence with suspicious.
“The Kogi State Government is genuinely suspicious of the motive behind her insistence, especially as we strongly suspect there are attempts to import the disease or declare fictitious cases in the State.
“In view of the fact that the State is one of only two states still COVID-19 free in Nigeria and having regard to recent pressures from some interesting quarters for it to find and declare cases of the disease, we are wary of an unholy conspiracy to declare COVID-19 in all states of the federation.
“It is therefore, pertinent to note that while the Kogi State Government will never conceal any real case of the novel coronavirus disease, if it occurs in the state, she will adhere strictly to NCDC guidelines to vehemently resist all attempts to manufacture false figures or cases of COVID-19 in Kogi State,” it noted.
It urged the people of the state to continue observing the recommended personal, environmental and respiratory hygiene protocols as recommended by both international and national regulatory authorities, while assuring the people of the commitment of Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration to protect and safeguard them from all forms of danger.
Meanwhile, a twitter user by the name Fisayo Soyombo @fisayosoyombo had alleged a cover up by the state government as it had no capacity to take care of patients of COVID-19.
In a series of tweets, he claimed at least four patients have died in the State in the past week with symptoms of COVID-19.
He said they were all denied the opportunity to be tested by the state government.
“On Saturday, a patient died at FMC, Lokoja, Kogi, after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
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