…As Nigeria Born UK Returnee Dies of Coronavirus Diseases

Nigeria has recorded first coronavirus disease (COVID-19) death as the number of confirmed cases in country has risen.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Monday morning, confirmed five new cases of the disease (COVID-19) in the country raising the number to 36.

The death of a COVID-19 patient was announced on  on Monday by the NCDC, disclosing that the victim was one Suleiman Achimugu, an indigene of Kogi state and former managing director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), died at 2 a.m. on Monday.

He was 67 years of age.

The NCDC said in a tweet that “The 1st #COVID19 death in Nigeria has been recorded. The case was a 67 year old male who returned home following medical treatment in UK”.

“He had underlying medical conditions- multiple myeloma & diabetes and was undergoing chemotherapy,” the tweet added.

The Street Reporters Newspaper reports that he 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 tested positive and was evacuated to the specialist hospital, Gwagwalada in Abuja but died while receiving treatment.

According to a source, 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.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed five new cases of the disease (COVID-19) which increased the number to 36, saying that two of the new cases were in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), two in Lagos and one in Edo State.

“Two cases are returning travellers from the United Kingdom,” the centre said.