From Austine Tule, Makurdi
Govamuel Ortom of Benue state on Tuesday confirmed a second case of Covid-19 in the state.
Ortom made the announcement while briefing newsmen in Makurdi.
He gave the name of the victim as Mr Edward Manger, an officer with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State.
“He came into the state towards the end of April. When the State Action Committee on COVID-19 got wind of his arrival in the state, they swung into action and his vital signs were taken to Abuja for testing.
“When the result came out yesterday he tested positive.
“We are mentioning their names not because we want to stigmatise or ridicule them but to enable those who came in contact with them to be aware of the condition of the persons.
“This will enable them to isolate ad well as surrender themselves to the committee.
“I am calling on all that have come in contact with him to surrender themselves to the committee for necessary action.
“We are not going to abandon you. We are ready to treat all that will be affected.
“The deadly disease is with us here so, all the preventive aspects of Covid-19 should be observed by all and sundry in the state in order to prevent further spread.
Relatedly, governor Ortom has charged both the Benue and Enugu States Quarantine Check Posts to work in synergy in order to curtail vehicular movement especially movement of people.
Ortom gave the charge when he visited the Orokam-Obolor border to ascertain level of enforcement of the border closure.
He further encouraged them to work very hard to ensure that they curtail movement on both sides for the overall good of the society.
The governor said that the visit was to prove how serious they were about border closure.
“We do not want people to move except those on essential services. If this is adhered to it will go a long way to stop the spread of Covid-19.
“Restriction of movement does not mean punishment but to stop the spread of the deadly disease,” he said.
He disclosed that people who must pass through any of the Benue borders must be quarantined for 14 days.
He also assured the people that Scientists were working round the clock to ensure that they get a remedy that could cure or address the global challenge.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Mr Ahmad Abdulrraman, promised that they would ensure that curtail movement of people.
