The Kogi State government has said that no incidence of the novel coronavirus has been reported in the state.
The government cleared the air following rumours making rounds over the alleged status of Governor Yahaya Bello over coronavirus.
However, the state taskforce on Coronavirus otherwise known as COVID-19 Squadron Team led by the Deputy Governor, Chief Edward said that there was no single case of the pandemic in the state.
In a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo late Tuesday, the government also said that the Squadron went round some parts of the state and did not discover any single case of the disease in the state.
Fanwo stressed that the team went round some parts of the state on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 to enforce the directives of the governor, which were aimed at keeping people at home and ensuring social distancing in order to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
His words, "The committee members were at the International Market to meet with the leadership of the market and the traders. They were made to know that the decision of the Committee to temporarily close down the market was in the best interest of the people in the face of the global pandemic.
"The Committee was able to get the buy-in of the major stakeholders of the market, with a resolution by all parties that the market will be effectively closed down with effect from tomorrow, Wednesday 25th March, 2020 until further notice.
"Also, the Committee has directed all Senior Special Assistants, SSAs, to the Governor in the various local government areas to handle government directives with human face. However, in order to save the lives of our people from the pandemic, enforcement of the directives is key.
"We also wish to state unequivocally that no one in the State has been tested positive for the Coronavirus. The Committee urges the public to disregard the fake news making the round about the status of some key public officials in the state."
On some government officials who recently returned from affected countries, Fanwo said,
"They are currently undergoing the process of ascertaining their status as all of them have been isolated even before the results of their tests are out.
"We also wish to affirm the leadership of the governor in his avowed determination to ensure that Kogi is safe in the heat of the global pandemic. He is currently leading by example by working from home. He expects all Kogites to do same.
"The state's Containment /Isolation Center has been put in shape by the state Ministry of Health to ensure we are capable of dealing with any eventuality.
"The ban on congregations stand as people found to be violating the directive will be dealt with decisively. We are also aware some schools are asking their students to come in mufti. Such schools will be sanctioned accordingly.
"The Committee wishes to appeal to the citizens of the state to bear with Government in this trying period. The directives are for a while and not meant to punish the citizenry.
"It is our hope that our efforts will stave off the virus from Kogi State. Be rest assured that government will stand by the citizens all the way."
