COVID-19: More misery in Kaduna, confusion in Kano, and Katsina chasing 455 contacts

Kano State has ruled the media since news first broke about mystery deaths and burials of hundreds of persons in the State within a few days. That however, doesn't mean other State's in the North are at ease, as cases of covid-19 in the region continues to rise.

The State is currently suffering from what is described as 'Harvest of Deaths' as it grapples with a new wave of mass deaths in the State, something the State's governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said is not unusual.


National Pivot had previously reported that Kano residents were left dumbfounded after reports of secret burials of over 150 bodies went viral on social media. Even more disturbing is the fact that the cause of these deaths remain unknown amid fears it could be covid-19 related. Since the issue was first reported, the number of deaths continue to rise.

The increase in the toll comes at the time the state witnessed a spike in COVID-19 cases. As of Sunday (today), 77 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Kano.

For more on this story and how the mysterious deaths in Kano State dates back to Jonathan's loss in the 2015 presidential election, visit this link => Kano Dilemma: First mysterious death traced back to Jonathan's loss in 2015 presidential election



Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has yesterday April 26, extended the State's lockdown for 30 days, citing rising cases in Abuja and neighbouring States, particularly confusion in Kano State, as a reason for the move.

The governor who said his decision to extend the lockdown was based on recommendation by the State's Standing Committee on Covid-19, which is chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, said rapid rise in Covid-19 cases in neighbouring states and the FCT, and with strong evidence of interstate travel being a major means of spreading the virus, the Standing Committee’s evaluation is that measures to protect Kaduna State residents require further strengthening and more vigorous enforcement.


Katsina State on its part, is tracing no fewer than 455 persons who had direct or indirect contacts with its 30 positive cases since it first index case was recorded on April 1st, the state governor, Aminu Masari, said per Daily Trust.

A breakdown of the contacts showed: Daura LGA 156; Dutsin-Ma 110; Katsina LGA 52; Batagarawa LGA 46; Safana LGA 32; Mani LGA 20; Zango LGA 16; Mai’Adua LGA 6; Sandamu LGA 3; and one each in Dutsi, Ingawa, Baura and Mashi LGAs.

Masari said in the last three weeks, 287 samples have been taken to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and out of the 227 results returned, 30 tested positive.



He said 44 results are still pending at the NCDC saying that 20 samples have to be recollected because of the issues with the Kano test centre.

“When we sent about 20 of them, they had problem when we went with them to Abuja they were contaminated and have to be retake. Those 20 suspects have to be retaken.

“Currently there are 16 samples in storage waiting transportation to lab which we took yesterday and on their way to Abuja already. The samples were obtained by established protocols,” he said.

On the state’s newly announced nine cases, Masari said they will be admitted on Monday at the Federal Medical Centre and Amadi Rimi Hospital were 20 COVID-19 patients are on admission.



“Among the earlier admitted cases, seven have turned negative with one being negative for a second time. The second negative is due to be discharged, hopefully the other six if returned negative for a second time shall be discharged” he added.