TheCable

A resident of Delta state is currently in detention over the death of a 67-year-old American who died after showing symptoms of COVID-19. 

The Nigerian was said to have invited her over to the country before the airports were shut in April.

They had reportedly lodged at a hotel in Warri in Delta and later relocated to Orerokpe, still in Delta.

But on Sunday morning, the American died after manifesting symptoms of the disease.

A police source told TheCable that the Nigerian took the remains of the woman to the police station after hospitals refused to attend to her.

The official who took the man’s sample

At the station, even the police officers were afraid to move close to the man whose name was not given. The police had contacted the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) who sent an official to take the man’s samples for test.

He was later sent to the isolation center in Warri under police watch.

Hafiz Inuwa, commissioner of police in the state, confirmed the incident, narrating how the woman died.

“While they were together, the woman was coughing and having difficulty in breathing and stooling. So, she was taken to a hospital on Saturday when her condition became worse and eventually died,” Inuwa said.

Inuwa warned policemen to be careful in dealing with the said male friend in order not to get infected with the disease. 

Delta has recorded 17 cases of COVID-19.