CORONAVIRUS: SECURITY OPERATIVES FOIL ATTEMPTED JAIL BREAK IN KADUNA, NIGERIA

Security operatives in Kaduna State have foiled an attempted jailbreak by some inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the state capital.

The incident occurred at about 1pm on Tuesday.

This prompted operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCDC) and soldiers to block all roads leading to the correctional facility located along Independence Way.

Following the incident, the inmates reportedly embarked on a violent protest inside the facility, demanding their release due to fear of being infected with coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Public Relations Officer of the Kaduna State Command of Nigerian Correctional Service, Nathaniel Gagas, confirmed the protest to Channels Television.

He said the inmates carried out a sporadic protest against the officials at the facility over undisclosed reasons.

Gagas explained that the violent behaviour of the inmates prompted the command to beef up security around the correctional centre, in order to avert any possible jailbreak.

He, however, stressed that no inmate escaped from the facility while normalcy was later restored there.

The command’s spokesman revealed that Service has launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to the action of the inmates, with a view to taking necessary action against to prevent a re-occurrence.

---CHANNELS TV

CORONAVIRUS: GERMAN MINISTER COMMITS SUICIDE!

THOMAS SCHAEFER

Thomas Schaefer, the finance minister of Germany’s Hesse state, has committed suicide apparently after becoming “deeply worried” over how to cope with the economic fallout from the coronavirus, state premier Volker Bouffier said Sunday.

Schaefer, 54, was found dead near a railway track on Saturday. The Wiesbaden prosecution’s office said they believe he died by suicide.

“We are in shock, we are in disbelief and above all we are immensely sad,” Bouffier said in a recorded statement.

Hesse is home to Germany’s financial capital Frankfurt, where major lenders like Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank have their headquarters. The European Central Bank is also located in Frankfurt.

A visibly shaken Bouffier recalled that Schaefer, who was Hesse’s finance chief for 10 years, had been working “day and night” to help companies and workers deal with the economic impact of the pandemic.

“Today we have to assume that he was deeply worried,” said Bouffier, a close ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

“It’s precisely during this difficult time that we would have needed someone like him,” he added.

Popular and well-respected, Schaefer had long been touted as a possible successor to Bouffier.

Like Bouffier, Schaefer belonged to Merkel’s centre-right CDU party.

He leaves behind a wife and two children.

---AFP

BREAKING: CORONAVIRUS- NIGERIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ORDERS TOTAL LOCKDOWN OF LAGOS AND OGUN STATES AND THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY

PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari in a long awaited address to the people and residents of Nigeria tonight ordered a total lock down on two states of Lagos and Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with effect from 11pm on Monday the 30th of March, 2020. The address read in part thus: 

"Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11 pm on Monday, 30th March 2020. 

This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States. 

All citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes. Travel to or from other states should be postponed. All businesses and offices within these locations should be fully closed during this period. 

The Governors of Lagos and Ogun States, as well as the Minister of the FCT, have been notified. Furthermore, heads of security and intelligence agencies have also been briefed. 

We will use this containment period to identify, trace and isolate all individuals that have come into contact with confirmed cases. We will ensure the treatment of confirmed cases while restricting further spread to other States. 

This order does not apply to hospitals and all related medical establishments as well as organizations in healthcare-related manufacturing and distribution. 

Furthermore, commercial establishments such as a. food processing, distribution and retail companies; b. petroleum distribution and retail entities, c. power generation, transmission and distribution companies; and d. private security companies are also exempted".

CORONAVIRUS: SOME NOTHERN NIGERIAN RELIGIOUS GROUPS DISPLAY USUAL LEVEL OF BACKWARDNESS, DEFIES LOCKDOWN ORDER

At least, one person lost his life on Saturday when a police station and the official quarters of a Divisional Police Officer were burnt down in Kusada, headquarters of Kusada Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The riot was caused by the arrest of a religious group leader who allegedly led a Friday prayer in the town despite the state government’s directive banning large gatherings to prevent spread of coronavirus.

Seven vehicles and 10 motorcycles were also set ablaze during the riot.

Ninety suspects have also been arrested in connection with the incident.

Eyewitnesses said trouble started when one Mallam Hassan conducted Jumat prayer in one of the mosques in the town.

Hassan was consequently arrested and taken to the police Area Commander’s office in Malumfashi for questioning. The development did not reportedly go down well with some of his followers.

The followers were alleged to have on Saturday attacked policemen on duty at Kusada Police Division and torched the police station and the DPO’s Quarters.

They were also alleged to have burnt down seven motor vehicles and 10 motorcycles on the premises of the police station.

The town was not accessible for several hours on Saturday because of the incident.

The spokesman for the police in Katsina, SP Gambo Isah, who confirmed the development, said normalcy had returned to the town while investigation had begun on the incident.

He said, “Recalled that Katsina State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Aminu Bello Masari, issued a restriction orders Nos. SEC.2/T/3 and SEC.2/T/14 dated 25th and 27th March, 2020 respectively, directing the total closure of its borders and suspension of large gatherings for the weekly Friday prayers and Sunday church services while marriage ceremonies are to be conducted in a low key across the state as part of measures taken to curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

“However, on Friday, March 27, 2020, some disgruntled youths under the leadership of one Mallam Hassan tested the will of the state and conducted a Friday prayer in one of the Kusada jummat mosques.

“Subsequently, he was arrested for questioning at Area Commander’s office, Malumfashi which did not go down well with some of his followers.

“Consequently, today (Saturday) around 9am, this particular group organised themselves in a tumultuous manner, attacked and overpowered the policemen on duty at Kusada Division, set ablaze the police station and the DPO’s Quarters. They also burnt down seven motor vehicles and 10 motorcycles in custody of the police station.”

Isah stated that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Sanusi Buba, ordered the deployment of police patrol teams and a special joint security task force on the enforcement of public gatherings in the state to the area.

“Ninety suspected rioters have been arrested while one of the rioters lost his life as a result of the encounter. Investigation is ongoing,” he added.

In Kaduna State, CHANNELS TV, reports that some churches also defied the state government's order banning all large gatherings and held normal Sunday Services.

IMAM SANI YAHAYA JINGIR

There was similar reports from Jos, Plateau State where a certain Imam Sani Yahaya Jingir dared security agents to arrest him while going ahead to hold a Friday Jumat service attended by a large crowd.

CORONAVIRUS: 86 YEAR OLD PRINCESS BECOMES THE FIRST ROYAL TO DIE FROM THE VIRUS

Princess Maria Teresa with her brother Duke Carlos Hugo

A Princess of Spain has become the world's Royal Family member to die from coronavirus. 

Princess Maria Teresa, 86, of the Bourbon-Parma Royal Family, died yesterday after testing positive for Covid-19.

Her younger brother, Prince Sixtus Henry of Bourbon-Parma, announced the tragic news as the world grapples with a global pandemic.

Her death came as Spain's coronavirus deaths skyrocketed past 5,000 today.

Princess Maria Teresa was born in Paris, France in 1933 to parents, Prince Xavier and Madeleine de Bourbon, who had six children in total, reports the Daily Star.

The royals are members of the House of Bourbon-Parma which is a cadet branch of the Spanish royal family, descended from the French Capetian dynasty.

Its members once ruled as King of Etruria and as Duke of Parma and Piacenza, Guastalla, and Lucca.

Cadet branches are created when a young member of a Royal Family, who is not the current heir, is granted lands and titles of his own.

They usually consist of only male-line descendants and the branch can only the ruling branch of a dynasty if nobody occupies the senior line to the throne.

The death of Princess Maria Teresa comes after  Prince Charles  of the British Royal Family this week announced he has tested positive for coronavirus.

He is now in self-isolation with “mild symptoms” at his and Camilla’s Scottish residence Balmoral, with Camilla isolating separately having tested negative for Covid-19.

Charles, 71, become the second royal in the world to test positive for the disease after Prince Albert of Monaco, 62, was confirmed to be the first head of state to have tested positive for the virus.

Charles had met Prince Albert just two weeks ago at a Water Aid event in London, although the pair were always stood far apart and sat on other sides of the table.

The Queen is currently staying at Windsor Castle with her husband Prince Philip amid the UK lockdown and is said to be in good health.

CORONAVIRUS: GOOD NEWS! CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER'S WIFE RECOVERS FROM THE VIRUS!

MRS TRUDEAU

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's wife said Saturday that she has recovered from being ill from COVID-19 disease caused by the new coronavirus. 

“I am feeling so much better,” Sophie Gregoire Trudeau said in a statement on social media. She said she received the clearance from her doctor and Ottawa Public Health.

Trudeau's office announced on March 12 that she had tested positive for the coronavirus after she fell ill upon returning from a trip to London.

The prime minister and his family have been in self isolation at home since then. He and their three children didn't show symptoms.

Justin Trudeau has been giving daily news conferences outside his residence. He said earlier Saturday that his wife was in in fine form.

“From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you to everyone who reached out to me with their well wishes. And to everyone who is suffering right now, I send you all my love,” she said. 

Liberal leader and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kisses his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau after the federal election at the Palais des Congres in Montreal, Quebec, Canada October 22, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

The prime minister suggested Saturday that he would continue to work from home to set an example for Canadians who are being asked to stay at home. 

Ontario, Canada's most populous province, meanwhile, said Saturday that it is prohibiting gatherings of five people or more. The order was effective immediately and replaced one that prohibited public events of over 50 people. It does not apply to households with five or more people, and funerals will be permitted with up to 10 people at one time.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said if the virus is to be stopped, extraordinary measures are needed to ensure physical distancing. The province has already closed all nonessential services.

In this Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019 photo, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau arrive at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Ontario.  (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)

Quebec announced police checkpoints in eight regions outside the province's major cities where the population is deemed more at risk. Quebec Deputy Premier Genevieve Guilbault said that only essential travel will be allowed in those areas and that provincial police have also set up checkpoints near the Canada-U.S. border to intercept snowbirds coming back to Quebec to ensure they understand there is a 14-day quarantine.

Canada has more than 5,616 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 61 deaths. About 445 people have recovered.

CORONAVIRUS: GOVERNOR EL RUFAI OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA TESTS POSITIVE

GOVERNOR EL RUFAI

Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna state on Saturday said he has tested positive to Coronavirus.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that it is the first case of COVID-19 recorded in Kaduna state.

The governor, who made the disclosure in a statement he issued in Kaduna, said he has gone into self-isolation.

“Earlier this week, I submitted a sample for the Covid-19 test. The result came in this evening, and I regret to say that it is positive.

“The deputy governor is chairing our Covid-19 Taskforce and will continue to issue statements from time to time,” El-Rufai said.

CORONAVIRUS: RATE OF RECOVERY OF PATIENTS DOUBLES IN GHANA

The latest update by the Ghana Health Service has shown that the total number of patients who have recovered from the deadly coronavirus in Ghana has doubled, a 100% increase.

In the previous report shared in the morning of March 27, 2020, on the update of the coronavirus cases in Ghana, only one person had recovered.

However, the latest update by the Ghana Health Service that has come in the evening of March 27, 2020, shows that the previous number has thankfully doubled.

131 becomes the net number of patients living with COVID-19 in Ghana because out of the total 137, four people have passed on and two people have fully recovered.

It is only hoped that the number of recoveries would keep growing as the days go by, so that coronavirus would be gone from Ghana for good.

Also, out the total 137 cases that have been recorded, 59 are from the routine surveillance among the general public whilst 78 come from the people in mandatory quarantine.

In other news, a Ghanaian gentleman Opoku Ababio and his wife Dorothy Opoku along with three other accomplices have been arrested for making and selling fake hand sanitizers.

In a video report sighted YEN.com.gh on the official Facebook handle of Joy FM, the illegal hand sanitizer manufacturing unit was at a suburb of Techiman where all the five suspects were arrested.

Ghana as a country is witnessing a shortage in hand sanitizers following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the country which requires constant washing of hands or use of hand sanitizers.

CORONAVIRUS: ENUGU STATE RECORDS TWO CASES

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed on Friday, March 27, that two cases of the deadly coronavirus were recorded in Enugu state.

Channels TV reports that this is the first time the disease has shown up in Nigeria’s southeast region.

It was gathered that the Enugu state ministry of health said the patients voluntarily contacted the government on arrival from the United Kingdom (UK) and requested for the COVID-19 test.

“The Enugu state government express her gratitude to these patients who reported to the Enugu state ministry of health following the announcement that all returnees from overseas in the last 14 days should report for evaluation.

“We still wish to encourage all those that returned recently from overseas to contact the Enugu state public health department through these dedicated lines- 08182555550 or 09022333833.

“We urge the general public not to panic as Health Personnel are already positioned to respond to the present situation even as all should observe a high level of personal hygiene, maintain the social distance protocol and stay home," the health ministry said in a statement signed by its permanent secretary, Ifeanyi Agujiobi.

Earlier on Friday, March 27, the NCDC had reported the discovery of five new cases, three in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and two in Oyo state. No new case was reported in Lagos.

In total, 16 new cases were confirmed on Friday, March 27.

It had been previously reported that President Muhammadu Buhari gave a directive for the protection of staff salaries, pensions of retirees and statutory transfer in spite the challenge posed by COVID-19 that has affected the economy.

It was reported that the minister of finance, budget and national planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this when she appeared as a guest on Channels Television “Politics Today” programme in Abuja on Friday, March 27.

Ahmed said the president also directed that key infrastructure projects such as major roads, railway line and power that were critical to growth and development were also protected. 

She admitted that the revenue had been threatened by the pandemic, adding that the country’s ability to implement the 2020 budget at the state and federal level would be significantly hampered.

In another report, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, tested negative for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The test result was revealed on Friday, March 27.

The news would come as a relief and welcome development to supporters and followers of the combative national chairman.

CORONAVIRUS: LAGOS NEARS TOTAL LOCKDOWN, FEARS CASES MAY HIT 39,000

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu says a total lockdown is imminent if the cases of coronavirus continue to increase.

Sanwo-Olu said this while giving an update on the situation of the pandemic in the state at the State House in Marina on Friday.

Out of the 70 confirmed cases nationwide, Lagos accounts for 44, but the governor said going by the development, the state was gradually moving towards the number.

Sanwo-Olu said, “We are moving in the direction of a total lockdown but there are numbers or indices that we need to see before we carry it out, which we have yet to see. We need to see a huge spike in the numbers of confirmed cases, so, we are looking at that.”

Sanwo-Olu also said based on available data, out of the 44 confirmed cases in the state, Ikeja and Eti-Osa local government areas had the highest number of patients, adding that the government was focusing on those areas.

LASG says cases may hit 39,000

However, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, in an earlier press briefing said the state might witness 39,000 cases of COVID-19 in a worst-case scenario.

Abayomi, therefore, urged residents to adhere to the social distancing rules to contain the spread of the disease.

He said, “Our mathematical modelling shows that the worst-case scenario is that we may see up to 39,000 cases in Lagos, but if everyone practises good social distancing, the figure will be limited to 13,000.

“If we add social distancing to active contact tracing, then we will be able to bend the curve further. The figures may seem alarming at this point, but this is just to emphasise to the Lagos community to follow the instructions of the incident commander to make sure that we practise social distancing.

“Looking at the same timeframe from the introduction of the index case, you can see that Lagos State is not seen anywhere near what Spain, Italy, and Iran are showing. So, at weeks two and three of our index case, we are flat and at week four, we have 37 cases; while at the same fourth week, Italy, Iran, and Spain had more than 20,000 cases.”

The commissioner added that the state was tracing 3,000 contacts who might have had contact with some of the confirmed cases.

Curfew begins on Sunday – Gov

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu directed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Lagos starting from Sunday to allow the state to carry out a comprehensive disinfection of the metropolis.

He also said the state would close the domestic airport.

He said, “I am hereby directing a statewide curfew from 8pm to 6am, starting from Sunday until further notice. This is to enable us to carry out a comprehensive disinfection of the Lagos Metropolis.

“I am pleased to note that we have taken possession of over 200 disinfecting machines, and starting today, we will be disinfecting all major highways, bus stops, markets, parks, and other public areas.

“With effect from Sunday we will be closing the domestic airport in Lagos, the General Aviation Terminal and the MM2. All movements in and out of Lagos through the two domestic terminals will, therefore, be suspended from Sunday for two weeks in the first instance. The only exceptions will be flights carrying essential supplies and those on emergency operations.”

He further said travelling in and out of Lagos would be restricted on Sunday, adding that all inter-state motor parks should shut down for two weeks.

The governor also signed into law the Emergency Coronavirus Pandemic Bill 2020 passed by the House of Assembly.

The law empowers the governor to punish violators of the shutdown order policy.

14 Nigerian students rescued in Seme

Also, Sanwo-Olu said 14 Nigerian students were rescued on Thursday at Seme border.

According to him, the students are being tested for coronavirus and if found negative will be allowed to go home.

NCDC says cases in Nigeria now 70

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Friday said the number of persons confirmed to have been infected with coronavirus in Nigeria had risen to 70, after five new cases were confirmed.

While giving an update on the coronavirus during the press briefing in Abuja on Friday afternoon, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, confirmed 65 cases.

Later in the evening, the NCDC on its website said two cases were confirmed in Oyo State while three were confirmed in Abuja.

It said, “On March 27, five new confirmed cases of COVID-19 (were) recorded in Nigeria. Till date, 70 cases have been confirmed, three cases have been discharged and one death from COVID-19 recorded in Nigeria.

“Of the five new cases reported on March 27, two are in Oyo State and three in Federal Capital Territory. All new cases have mild to moderate symptoms and are currently receiving care.

“A multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre activated at level three continues to coordinate the national response activities.”

Stop COVID-19 now, WHO warns Nigeria

The World Health Organisation has warned Nigeria to stop the spread of COVID-19 now that cases are still few.

The world body said it might be too late, too hard, or almost impossible to deal with a much bigger and wider crisis.

The Director-General of the WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday Nigeria should stop the virus from spreading by identifying and isolating those who had tested positive.

Nigeria has 70 confirmed cases and one death while three persons have recovered; about 4,370 persons who have had contact with positive cases are also being traced.

But Ghebreyesus said Nigeria might not be able to cope with a surge in cases should the community transmission starts.

He said, “We need to do the public health interventions effectively to test cases, to follow up contacts and isolate the cases so the problem doesn’t grow. Meaning, from the sporadic cases or cluster cases, they would not grow into community transmission.

“The problem comes when community transmission starts, when the number of cases builds; when that happens, then doing the solutions, follow up, quarantine and so on would be difficult if not impossible. At the same time, growing cases means the healthcare system could be overwhelmed too.”

The WHO chief said Nigeria should invest more in public health interventions and follow the body’s guidelines on COVID-19 to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

Over 25,000 people have died from the coronavirus, more than 550,000 have been infected and over 127,000 have recovered globally.

China pledges to help Nigeria contain COVID-19

China has promised to share COVID-19 containment strategies, drugs and vaccines with Nigeria.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Zhou Pingjian, said he and other Chinese diplomats would stay in the country and work closely with medical professionals to defeat the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking while presenting some medical items, including hand gloves, sanitisers, automatic hand dryers and other hygiene products to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Friday, the envoy said it was imperative for the international community to strengthen confidence, act with unity and work together in a collective response.

Though the situation in China is now under control with life gradually returning to normal, Pingjian said “yet, there is no way we will lower our guard or relax control.”

He said his country received strong political support and assistance in various means from the Federal Government and Nigerians during the most difficult period in China’s fight against coronavirus.

The diplomat said, “Despite the daunting task of epidemic control remaining at home, China will try its best to provide medical supplies to Nigeria and do whatever it could to support Nigeria.

“China will continue to share information and experience with Nigeria and strengthen cooperation on containment, treatment and vaccines in response to the covid-19 challenge, with a view to building together a community of shared health for mankind.”

The Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Lot Egopija, lauded the Chinese government for the donation and the promised assistance.

----THE PUNCH