The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has confirmed the first death resulting from coronavirus in Nigeria.
Although the NCDC which confirmed the death on its Twitter handle, @NCDCgov, did not give further details, the deceased has been identified as the former Managing Director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, PPMC, Suleiman Achimugu.
He was 67 years old and died early Monday morning.
Tweeted NCDC: “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 & was undergoing chemotherapy
“Our thoughts are with his family.”
Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has issued a statement over the death of Achimugu who is said to have been buried according to Islamic rites.
The statement signed by Abubakar Achimugu reads:
“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).
“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.”
