COVID-19: Mob kills police inspector while enforcing curfew in Edo

A Police inspector who was part of a security team enforcing the coronavirus curfew in Auchi, Edo State has been killed by a mob.

The team was attacked on Friday by unknown hoodlums who fatally shot the inspector.

Twelve health workers at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) and another one at the University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, are among the latest Nigerians to test positive to the virus.

Ondo State recorded two more cases on Saturday while Osun and Enugu reported one each.

Spokesman for the Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the Auchi attack on Saturday.

He said: “On Friday, May 8, 2020 at about 9 p.m., Inspector Felix Egbon and team were attacked with guns and other dangerous weapons by unknown hoodlums, who emerged from the bush at Iyetse Quarters, Auchi, while enforcing COVID-19 curfew imposed by the Federal Government of Nigeria from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. In the process, Inspector Felix Egbon was shot on the neck. He was immediately rushed to the General Hospital, Auchi, where he gave up the ghost.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Lawan Jimeta, has ordered full-scale investigation into the gruesome murder of the Police Inspector and he solicits for the assistance of the sister security agencies, vigilance group and hunters in the area in arresting the perpetrators.

“Edo State Commissioner of Police also pleads with the traditional rulers, village heads and youth leaders to assist in providing information that may lead to fishing out those responsible for the dastardly act. He warns the perpetrators to submit themselves to the police.

“Edo State Police Command reiterates its resolve to continually protect the lives and property of the good citizens of the state, in line with its constitutional mandate.”

12 additional AKTH workers test positive for COVID-19
Twelve more workers at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) have tested positive for COVID-19, the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) AKTH Branch announced yesterday.

Chairman of the branch, Dr Murtala Isa Umar, in a statement listed the affected workers as five nurses, three technicians, one medical information officer, one billing officer and one attendant.

Thirteen other workers tested negative, Umar said.

Twenty-two JOHESU members who had earlier tested positive for COVID-19 are currently in isolation centres.

UCH worker tests positive
The story is similar at the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, where a worker also tested positive to the deadly virus.

The authorities of the hospital said yesterday that the “staff in question is in good health and is receiving the necessary support while the routine contact tracing and relevant infection control protocols instituted.

“Consequently as at 4 pm, Friday, 8th May 2020, we have one new case of COVID-19 confirmed. The total number of COVID-19 patients that the hospital has attended to is now 11 (eleven).