Nigeria records first coronavirus death as former PPMC boss returns from UK and passes on

NIGERIA has recorded her first death from the dreaded coronavirus after the former managing director of Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) Suleiman Achimugu died yesterday having brought the virus back from the UK.

Mr Achimugu, 67, recently returned from the UK and according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), he passed away while in isolation. He had apparently gone to the UK for treatment and according to the NCDC, Mr Achimugu had underlying medical conditions including multiple myeloma, diabetes and was undergoing chemotherapy.

In a statement released by his family, and signed by Abubakar Achimugu, the former PPMC executive was in self-isolation upon his return from the UK and personally called the NCDC after experiencing some discomfort related to Covid 19 symptoms. He tested positive and was promptly evacuated to the specialist hospital.

Mr Achimugu died while receiving treatment and his family has implored the general public to pray upon his soul and the recovery of infected persons. In addition, the family statement further urged Nigerians to maintain the public social distancing and restriction advice as everyone will walk through this very difficult time.

According to the family, Mr Achimugu has since been buried according to Islamic rites. An NCDC official confirmed the information issued by the family, posting an official statement on its Twitter handle.

It said: “The first Covid 19 death in Nigeria has been recorded. The case was a 67-year-old male who returned home following medical treatment in the United Kingdom. He had underlying medical conditions- multiple myeloma and diabetes and was undergoing chemotherapy.”

Also, according to the NCDC, there have  been five fresh cases of Covid-19 in Abuja, Lagos and Edo States. These fresh discoveries bring to 35 the total number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Nigeria.