Big fear in NYSC camp as ‘coronavirus’ claims resident officer’s life

There is panic within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps in Abuja and Kano, after a resident officer (name withheld) reportedly died of coronavirus on Tuesday.

It was gathered that the deceased officer was recently spotted at Kano camp where he represented Shuaibu Ibrahim, the director-general of the NYSC, a few days before he developed COVID-19 symptoms.

“The resident officer, who was posted from the NYSC National Headquarters in Abuja to Kano State NYSC permanent orientation camp died early this (Tuesday) morning as a result of COVID-19,” The PUNCH quoted a source to have said.

“But very, unfortunately, the NYSC management and the NCDC are trying to hide the case. The officer and representative of the DG was tested by the doctors and the NCDC who confirmed that the officer died as a result of COVID-19 in the camp. Right now, multiple numbers of the NCDC staff are in the camp.”

However, NYSC deputy director, press and public relations, Emeka Mgbemena, who confirmed the death of the officer, said the deceased did not died in the orientation camp.

He said; “Indeed, NYSC lost an officer. In keeping with COVID – 19 protocols, everyone, including the DG, must subject themselves to COVID-19 test. Only those that test negative are allowed into the camps.

“The officer in question was suspected of COVID-19. Accordingly, the NCDC took over the case. Sadly, he succumbed to the cold hands of death in the course of treatment. It is imperative to state that he did not step into the camp, neither did he die there too. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

“Everybody in the camp, including resource persons, camp market operators were tested for COVID – 19. There’s no COVID-19 positive person in the 37 camps of the NYSC nationwide.”