A former Commissioner of Information, Kogi State, Dr. Tom Ohikere has cried out saying the death of the private medical practitioner of Kogi State origin, based in Daura, Katsina State, Dr Aliyu Yakubu, purported to have died of the coronavirus disease has rained shear reactions across the country as it is perceived to be surrounded with conspiracy and manipulation of facts.
According to Dr. Tom Ohikere who happens to be a friend of the family on Saturday said the late Dr Aliyu Yakubu and his wife left for Lagos to attend the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) annual conference in the early weeks of March. He went by air and returned to Daura through Kano-Lagos Airport after about 6 days in Lagos.
A week after his arrival he suddenly developed illness which subsequently led them to move him from his personal hospital to the Airforce hospital in Daura when it was clear that his situation was degenerating. He died about some hours later while making attempts to move him to Kano for a more befitting treatment.
From the information gathered from one of the sons of the diseased, Abdumalek Aliyu said until his death Dr. Yakubu did not develop any symptoms of Covid-19, though surprisingly later in the night of that faithful day, the NCDC came and took some sample of the death body and the result was yet to be release to the family only for a friend to call him and told him that it was announced in the Friday Mosque that his father died of Covid-19.
Subsequently Governor Aminu Bello Masari who is neither a doctor or a lab scientist briefed newsmen announcing to the world that the late Dr. Yakubu died of Covid-19 said “We have to brief you on this bad news that one Dr Aliyu Yakubu has died from coronavirus disease” and ordered for the confinement of the family to a house without due consideration for our feeding and upkeep seeing that we cannot go out to get food stuff and knowing that in the mist of trying to save our father we did not have time to stock food and prepare for the confinement.
Meanwhile non of the people that had contact with him tested positive, this is purely a conspiracy and manipulation of facts and only God knows the intent of the wicked.
Ohikere said, it is shear wickedness to treat such respectful family in such manner. We cannot deal with this Corona war through victimisation of victims, adding that the security operatives detailed to ensure compliance with the confinement order has been very rude and lacks civil manners which is a portrayal of wrong briefing and an unprofessional conduct. They should please be called to order and be given proper briefings.”
