Something not natural is happening in Kano State and this has sent millions of her citizens to live in palpable fears.
Following the unconfirmed spread of the novel coronavirus in the most populous Northern city with many lives believed to have been lost owing to the virus, the call for prompt action has been intensified.
The situation took an alarming proportion on Saturday when the State recorded an unprecedented number of 15 high profile personalities’ death with the report of First Bank of Nigeria Limited confirmed the loss of its employee, Abdullahi Lawal, a top staff with Kano main branch, to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
A statement on Saturday by the bank’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney, said the branch has been closed for disinfection.
It also stated that all staff and customers who may have been in contact with the late banker should follow the guidelines of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and self-isolate.
Lawal’s death was followed by the announcement of the passage of Prof Ibrahim Alkali Ayagi, an 80-year old renowned Professor of Economics and CEO of Hassan Gwarzo School also on Saturday.
While the state was still grappling with Ayagi’s death, the news of the death of other prominent figures provoked further concern. Those who also passed away include Alhaji Dahiru Rabiu, Former Grand Khadi in Kano; Dr. Musa Umar Gwarzo, father of Mahmoud Gwarzo; Mallam Musa Tijjani, former Editor of Triumph Newspaper; Alhaji Adamu Isyaku Dal, former SUBEB Boss, and Alhaji Salisu Lado.
Other prominent Kano citizens who also died today are Hajia Shamsiyya Mustapha; Hajia Nene Umma; Alhaji Garba Sarki Fagge; Dr. Nasiru Maikano Bichi, Secretary, Student Affairs, NorthWest University; Prof. Aliyu Umar Dikko of Physiology Department, Bayero University Kano; Alhaji Idi Mai Lemo Sheka and Captain Abdullahi Gyadi of Gyadi Ja’oji Quarters.
With the unexplained mysterious deaths of all these personalities, residents of Kano are now living in palpable fear of likely outbreak of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic in the State but with their leaders living in denial of the spread.
“The Facebook pages of my friends from Kano have become obituary boards, and there’s no way to defend that it’s normal. The mortality rate in Kano seems to have surged, and even though it’s not been linked to any disease yet, it’s important to determine the causes of these deaths,” Gimba Kakanda wrote on his Twitter page to explain the growing concern of every Nigeria as Kano look set to become the epicenter of the global disease.
Already, they have witnessed on a daily basis over 150 people buried in three cemeteries within the state.
Culled from OperaNews
