Gunmen Attacks Medical Workers Demanding Establishment Of COVID-19 Screening Centre In Kogi

Some armed men have attacked the Federal Medical Centre in Lokoja, Kogi State, and disrupted the plans of the staff of the hospital to hold a press Conference calling on the federal government to establish a COVID-19 screening centre in the state.

Investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo who revealed this via his Twitter handle on Wednesday, said the gunmen who appeared plain-clothed, used a van to barricade the entrance of the hospital while two other vans drove in to cause mayhem.

He also said the armed men shot in the air sporadically in order to chase the medical staffs away as they ransacked the building, destroying laptops and other valuables.

“Dozens of plain-clothed gunmen who arrived in three white Hilux vans have just finished terrorising staff of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, who were planning a press conference/protest to pressure FG into establishing a COVID-19 screening centre in the state.

“One van barricade the hospital gate while the other two drove in. The gunmen shot sporadically into the air to scare people away, then went to the records & admin depts, where they seized laptops and destroyed a few things. They ransacked the Medical Director’s office too.

“As the siege went on, the hospital management instructed the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officials in the hospital not to shoot, to prevent bloodshed.

“I understand the hospital associations have told all staff to evacuate the hospital. This means the hospital has effectively shut down, which is very terrible news to ordinary Kogi people without the economic power to seek medical care in private hospitals,” he wrote.

One van barricade the hospital gate while the other two drove in.

The gunmen shot sporadically into the air to scare people away, then went to the records & admin depts, where they seized laptops and destroyed a few things. They ransacked the Medical Director’s office too.
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— 'Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) July 1, 2020

I understand the hospital associations have told all staff to evacuate the hospital. This means the hospital has effectively shut down, which is very terrible news to ordinary Kogi people without the economic power to seek medical care in private hospitals.
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— 'Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) July 1, 2020

KanyiDaily recalls that Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello had insisted that COVID-19 is a hoax, adding that his state is free of the viral disease despite recorded cases.

Just last week, the state’s Chief Justice died as a result of COVID-19 complications but the Governor insisted that the man died a natural death, claiming that the virus is not in Kogi State.

Also, Governor Yahaya Bello had been accused of frustrating medical efforts to test patients, who have coronavirus symptoms in the state.