Authorities in Ogun State have launched investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of a Benin Republic national who died while on transit in Abeokuta, the state capital. The deceased, identified as Alex Jamiu, reportedly gave up the ghost inside a vehicle while traveling to Owode-Yewa in Yewa South Local Government Area of the state yesterday.

Jamiu’s body and his travel partner, Victor Bada, were dumped at the roadside opposite GTBank, near Simeon Adebo Library, Kuto, Abeokuta, where their pitiable condition caught the attention of some passers-by.

The incident ignited panic in Abeokuta, as claims that the deceased might have been a suspected coronavirus patient, became widespread. In a 58-second video, which has gone viral, Bada claimed that the deceased, who was resident in Ijebu-Ode, took ill after he returned from Cotonou, Benin Republic, recently. According to him, a security officer gave them a lift from Sagamu and dropped them off at the roadside after Jamiu died inside the vehicle. He explained that they were headed to Owode-Yewa when the incident occurred.

Bada said: “He (Jamiu) had been sick before. He was complaining of tiredness. I have taken him to hospital in Sagamu, where he was treated and given injection. He felt better. “I was advised to take him back to our home town in Benin Republic, but he insisted on going to Owode Yewa where one of our brothers is living. So, it was on our way to Owode this (yesterday) morning that he died in the car that we boarded.

“It was an officer who gave us a ride from Sagamu to Abeokuta, but upon sighting that my brother was dead, he dropped us by the roadside.” It was learnt that shortly after the video sur-faced online, the state government deployed an ambulance to the scene where the deceased and his friend were evacuated.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, could not be reached for comments on whether the death was COVID-19 related as calls to her mobile phone were not answered. However, Emmanuel Ojo,the Senior Special Assistant (New Media) to Governor Dapo Abiodun, confirmed that both the deceased and his partner were taken to the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta. He said: “The tracing of all their contacts will begin as treatment is given at the closest isolation centre in the state.

“Residents around the area are strongly advised to stay indoors and avoid going near the suspected patients.” The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, told our correspondent that only the medical authorities could determine the cause of Jamiu’s death. Oyeyemi said the matter was reported to the police and the Ministry of Health was immediately alerted. He added: “The matter was reported to the police and we immediately alerted the Ministry of Health.

They sent an ambulance to come and pick the corpse and that has been done.” On the claim that the driver of the vehicle boarded by the late Jamiu was a policeman, Oyeyemi said the state command was not aware.

He said: “People can refer to anybody as an officer.” Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, said the area where the deceased was picked up had been decontaminated. Abudu-Balogun, therefore, asked residents to go about their normal duties without any fear.

“Ogun State Ministry of Environment has decontaminated the GTB area where the dead Covid-19 suspect was picked up. Everyone should go about their normal duties without any fear,” he said in a statement sent to our correspondent. (New Telegraph)

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