Covid-19: Fear in NYSC camp as resident officer dies of infection
By Modupe Shodeinde
There has been fear in the National Youth Service Corps camps as a top officer posted to the permanent orientation camp in Kano, a few days ago developed coronavirus symptoms and died on Tuesday.
It was learnt that the deceased officer went to Kano State where he represented the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General, Shuaibu Ibrahim.
After his death, workers in NYSC camps, have been gripped with fear of contracting the virus.
The NYSC Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations), Emeka Mgbemena, when contacted, confirmed the death of the officer to The PUNCH, but said he died outside the orientation camp.
According to Mgbemena, “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.”
A source however accused the NYSC management of trying to hide the case.
The source said, “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.
“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 number of the NCDC staff are in the camp.”
Another top officer of the service, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said staff of the NYSC in other camps, who had learnt about the development had started panicking.
