Nigeria has recorded its first coronavirus death! The deceased, Suleiman Achimugu, is a 67 year old former managing director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), who returned to Nigeria from the UK where he had gone for a medical treatment.
His death was announced this morning by the Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC). They wrote on Twitter:
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.
The victim reportedly died on the 22nd of March. He was said to have returned from the United Kingdom two weeks ago. The deceased, an indigene of Kogi state, 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.
Report has it that his family members are 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).
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.
