TheNewsGuru

Tag: Delta

  • COVID-19 kills pastor secretly receiving treatment in Delta private clinic

    COVID-19 kills pastor secretly receiving treatment in Delta private clinic

    A pastor who was allegedly smuggled into a private hospital in Sapele, Delta State on Saturday, after he developed Coronavirus complications has reportedly died Monday night.

    Meanwhile, the hospital was closed by the Delta State Ministry of Health monitoring team.

    The pastor, Wilson Okotie, Senior Pastor, High Impact Christian Centre, located along Akintola Road, Opposite Ita Lane, Sapele, Delta State, was said to have fallen sick on Thursday night and was taken to a clinic in Warri, from where he was again referred back to the clinic in Sapele.

    The late pastor was said to have died at about 6:40 pm while awaiting evacuation from Treasurehold Specialist Hospital along Ugbeyiyi road in Sapele, where he was admitted and been secretly managed against COVID-19 protocol.

    Dr Richard Ikwuogu, who was leading the Delta State Ministry of Health Epidemiology inspection/monitoring of health facilities, and incident manager of Covid-19 response team, on Monday, on a tip-off had stormed the hospital premises, where the deceased was admitted and sealed it, after finding out that two patients were being treated for Coronavirus.

    It was learnt that the ambulance that came to evacuate the remains of the suspected COVID-19 patient was attacked by some persons suspected to be the late man’s family members.

    According to a source who spoke to newsmen on anonymity grounds, “They attacked the ambulance that came to remove the corpse, threatening to burn it, maybe they were angry that the health status of their brother was revealed.

    “The driver escaped with the ambulance and as I speak to you the chairman is making arrangements with the security agencies to send the team back,” he said.

  • Covid-19: Delta seals three popular hotels for breaching social distancing, face masks order

    Covid-19: Delta seals three popular hotels for breaching social distancing, face masks order

    The Delta State Government has made good its threats to clamp down on businesses in the state flouting its order on guidelines for reopening.

    This is especially as the state continues to record high COVID-19 figures and casualties.

    It follows that governments especially Covid-19 Taskforce and security agents will have to intensify efforts to enhance enforcement, so as to successfully fight the spread of the virus.

    Worried by the increasing numbers and gross breach of guidelines, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Barrister Chiedu Ebie on Sunday led the state Covid-19 prevention taskforce team on oversight function to some hotels in Asaba.

    Sadly, three hotels in the state capital got the sledge hammer of the taskforce as Ebie ordered that the defaulting hotels bars should be sealed for failing to effectively ensure the physical distancing and wearing of face masks by majority of customers at the time the taskforce carried out their unscheduled oversight function.

    The hotels affected are; Hampton Towers, Golden Tulips and Vienna International Hotels, all in the state capital, Asaba.

    Mr Ebie, decried the rising cases of Covid-19 in the state and warned hotel operators to adhere to the directives of not opening their bars and restaurants to people who were not guests in the hotels. He emphasised that people should buy drinks and food and take them to their rooms.

    Addressing those caught flouting the rules, Mr Ebie said, “it is unfortunate that we are having these number of persons drinking in this small place; I know people that have died of Covid-19 and it is unfortunate that each and everyone of you here is educated and is aware about what to do.

    “You have come here, you don’t know who is positive and to you, it doesn’t matter, but, to us, it is not a joke, it is our duty to enforce the protocols because, these are unusual times.

    “We cannot compromise the lives of our people, the people should buy the drinks and go to their rooms; if one person is discovered to have Covid-19, this hotel will be shut down and you can imagine what it will cost to engage in contact tracing of everyone who is here. Don’t encourage people from outside to come in here and drink.”

    “What happened today was essentially to check the level of compliance to the directives that were given as regards actions to check the spread of Covid-19.

    “We got information that people were coming from outside the hotels to drink and we are committed to ensuring full compliance for the safety of our people.

    “Deltans should help us by staying safe, for those that flouted the directives, we sealed some parts of their hotel.

    “Help us contain the virus as any hotel that is flouting this directives will be shut down.”

    “And on the rising cases of Covid-19 in the State, it was as a result of aggressive contact tracing. In one instance, there were 9 persons from one compound” Ebie disclosed.
    *

  • Warri Bishop charged with rape, victim in coma for days

    Warri Bishop charged with rape, victim in coma for days

    Delta state police command has arrested a popular Warri cleric, Bishop Elijah, over alleged rape of a 19-year-old girl, identified as Miracle.

    Miracle was said to have gone to his church, off Apalla in the heart of Warri South council area, for spiritual deliverance when the incident happened.

    Briefing newsmen over the arrest, the Warri Area Commander, ACP Mohammed Muktar Garba, said the suspect who is the founder/general overseer of a popular prayer ministry was traced to where he hid and was arrested last Friday.

    According to him, the suspect is currently being detained at the “A Division’” police station.

    He disclosed that the arrest was effected following a complaint by the mother of the victim.

    He said the mother took the daughter to the church for deliverance to avert sudden death based on revelations of the pastor who has been her spiritual father for many years.

    ACP Garba said, “she said the pastor had a dream that death was hovering over their house and for peace to reign, she should bring her daughter, Miracle, for prayers (deliverance).

    “The woman brought the lady to the church. I think what really happened is that the pastor May have drugged that lady and raped her. I personally took the lady to the hospital because she was in coma for two days.

    “We have been looking for this pastor for the past three weeks. Later on I used my detectives to trace where he hid and I got him arrested and I am charging him to court now. This is somebody that I arrested since Friday. He has been in cell since Friday, Saturday, Sunday and today Monday, I am charging him to court.”

    While noting that the police would ensure full-scale investigations into the matter, ACP Garba acknowledged that, “we have prophets that are good. We have churches that are very good. But I cannot imagine a pastor raping his member inside the church premises.

    “And it is this same pastor that’s making allegation that the police are looking for money to release him. He has a right to say whatever he wants to say. But as far as I’m concerned and as far as I remain the Area Commander, this man is going to court and he must be charged to court.”

    ACP Garba added that: “We have evidence to prove rape and we have established that this pastor raped that girl.

    “We have pictures. We have examined her. I took her to the doctor. He has examined her private parts and we have everything to charge this man to court.”

    ACP Garba also denied allegations of collecting money from the suspect to release him or suppress the matter.

    He said, “I did not demand a dime from him and I will not collect a dime from him. He must face the wrath of the law.”

    However, the suspect, Bishop Elijah denied the allegations leveled against him.

    The cleric who spoke with newsmen on his way out of the police station to the court said: “I did not rape her.”

    “she came to church on that faithful day on the 20th of May. The mother brought her to the church for deliverance and I prayed for her in front of the altar in the presence of three people. Immediately, after the prayer, she left the church …. She came back 5 ‘o’clock with policemen and the crowd saying this is the man. I did not rape her.”

    Narrating her side of the story bebefore newsmen, the victim said she was a member of the church from cradle before she stopped.

    She said the suspect saw a vision and asked her mother to bring her for deliverance.

    The victim pointed out that the cleric said she (victim) slept with a suspected internet fraudster (Yahoo Boy) and that they cleaned her up with a handkerchief with an intention to use her for ritual.

    The victim claimed that the cleric gave her olive oil to insert in her private part just as he also gave her more to drink before asking her to strip naked and lie down on a mat in the church with the sliding windows and doors closed.

    “He started f**king me through the back. That was all I could remember. There were sperm all over my body. I shouted. He even said I should come again.

    “I want to be the last he will do this to.”

  • Delta doctors set date to commence strike over abduction of colleague at General Hospital

    Delta doctors set date to commence strike over abduction of colleague at General Hospital

    Members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Delta state chapter are set to commence a phased strike over the abduction of their colleague, Dr. Wisdom Iboyitete, at the General Hospital, Ojobo in Burutu council area, last Monday.

    A statement signed by the NMA state chairman and secretary, Dr. Ekeneam Omo and Dr. Jude Ugbechie, said the association will commence the strike and a protest walk on Monday, June 8.

    The association called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, as well as security operatives in the state to intensify efforts to rescue their colleague.

    It further expressed worry over the silence of the state government on the incident, which it described as particularly traumatic for the family and other medical practitioners.

    Recall that Dr. Iboyitete, a Principal Medical Officer at the General Hospital, was kidnapped midnight Sunday by gunmen pretending to be patients.

    He was whisked to an unknown destination.

    The abductors had reportedly demanded for N10 million ransom, but later reduced the sum to N5 million on Wednesday.

    It will be noted that the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), in the state, on Thursday declared an indefinite strike as a result of the development.

    The statement reads, “In the early hours of Monday the 1st of June 2020, we received the sad news of the kidnap of our colleague Dr Wisdom Iboyitete at his workplace, General Hospital Ojobo in Burutu LGA, Delta state. He was abducted on the line of duty when he heeded an emergency call to attend to a patient, not knowing that the so called patients he rushed down to attend to were kidnappers.

    “We have had countless cases of kidnap of doctors in the past but for them to now come in the guise of being patients in need of emergency care in the wee hours of the night is to say the least the height of desecration of the noble profession by taking advantage of our humane disposition to duty. How will we answer to emergency calls at night when kidnappers now pose as patients?

    “The events of the last five days have been very traumatic for us and to the immediate family in particular. The silence of the state government, the Ministry of Health and the Hospitals Management Board since the incident occurred is worrisome.

    “This unfortunate incident has brought to the fore once again, the need for government to provide adequate security in our hospitals. In addition to kidnapping, we have had incessant cases of harassment and assault of healthcare workers by patients, patients’ relatives and host communities within the hospital premises while discharging their duties.

    “We have observed with keen interest the resolve of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) to withdraw their services indefinitely until our colleague is released unconditionally. We wish to state that this is in congruence with the provisions of the physicians oath we swore to, which enjoined every doctor to attend to their own health, well being and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard.

    “As an association, the welfare and security of our members remain sacrosanct. We therefore wish to express our total support of the actions taken so far by the doctors in state hospitals to draw the attention of the State Government, Ministry of Health, the Hospitals Management Board as well as the security agencies of the need to speed up efforts to secure the release of our colleague from captivity unhurt and improve on the security within the hospitals to forestall a reoccurrence of such unfortunate incident.

    “The Delta State NMA is currently mobilising her members to commence phased withdrawal of service and peaceful protest walk from Monday 8th of June 2020.

    “We are however optimistic that His Excellency will prevail on the security agencies to do the needful to ensure the release of Dr. Iboyitete from the clutches of his kidnappers.”

  • Covid-19: Panic as man collapses at ATM gallery in Asaba

    Covid-19: Panic as man collapses at ATM gallery in Asaba

    Bank customers on Wednesday revived an elderly man, who collapsed while on a queue to withdraw cash at an ATM point in Asaba.

    Many of the bank customers, who had initially scampered for safety due the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic, returned to assist the man and succeeded in reviving him.

    The man, who declined to disclose his names, told sympathizers that he was ill and had just returned from the hospital.

    “I am not feeling too well. I am coming from the hospital and decided to stop over and use the ATM machine.

    “I am a diabetic patient. I live in Ibusa with my family. I came to Asaba for treatment,” he said

    was learnt that the man was later assisted by some sympatizers to contact his wife on phone since he could hardly walk.

  • Buhari commiserates with victims, sends delegation to Delta over Ogbeogonogo fire disaster

    Buhari commiserates with victims, sends delegation to Delta over Ogbeogonogo fire disaster

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday commiserated with victims of Ogbeogonogo fire disaster, assuring that they would not bear the burden of the unfortunate incident alone.

    The President who spoke through the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiyar Umar Farouk, also commended the proactive measures taken by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to curb the spread of the fire and also, reduce its effects on the traders.

    Hajiya Umar led a team made of the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo to convey the feelings of the President to the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr. ) Ifeanyi Okowa at Asaba.

    “We are here in Delta State at the behest of our President, Mohamadu Buhari, who said we should commiserate with the traders who lost their products worth millions of naira to the unfortunate fire incdent at the Ogbogonogo market, here in Asaba.

    “The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assist these hard working Nigerians whose sources of livelihood were affected by fire.

    “We need to let them know that once there is life, there is hope.

    “Your Excellency, we are also, commending you and your team for the quick response which gave hope to the people and immediately, we got wind about the incident, we sent relief materials too to the State to cushion the effect of the fire on the people,” the President said.

    Governor Okowa in his response, expressed delight that Mr President was quick to respond to the fire incident, noting that the creation of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development could have made that prompt response possible.

    The Governor said, “we want to express our gratitude to you and through you to our President.

    “This visit is a thoughtful visit concerning the fire at Ogbeogonogo market.

    “We have a warm relationship with NEMA and we are supporting the activities of your Ministry as it concerns assisting the needy in the society.

    “As a state government, our youths are participating in different skill acquisition and wealth creation programmes. We have different programmes to support the widows, we also have programmes for the less privileged and the vulnerable.

    “We appreciate this visit.”

    High point of the visit by the Minister was her inspection of the burnt market and presentation of relief materials to the victims.

  • Photo: Delta inaugurates 100-bed CACOVID treatment centre

    Photo: Delta inaugurates 100-bed CACOVID treatment centre

    Delta State Government has inaugurated a 100-bed isolation/treatment centre at the Permanent Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Isele-Uku, administrative headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area.

    The facility was rehabilitated and equipped under a partnership involving the state government, the private sector Coalition on COVID-19 (CACOVID) and the NYSC.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Chiedu Ebie, who performed the official opening ceremony on behalf Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, said the government was being proactive towards managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

    He said the state would be ready should the number of infected persons suddenly rise beyond the 17 confirmed cases as at the time of inauguration.

    Ebie said the establishment of the centre was sequel to the directive by the Federal Government to NYSC to make available some of its facilities nationwide for treatment and management of COVID-19.

    He added while the state rehabilitated the building, CACOVID provided the state-of-the-art medical equipment.

    He thanked the private sector donors for their patriotic gesture and valuable support to Delta State in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and called for more support to win the battle.

    Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye, said that with the inauguration of the facility, the state’s capacity to deal with the pandemic has been greatly enhanced.

    He also disclosed the state had begun the process of community testing for the COVID-19 beginning with 19 wards in Udu Local Government Area as well as special focus on Oshimili-South and Oshimili-North.

    He also informed the installation of a testing centre in Asaba has increased the state’s testing capacity to 4,000.

    Ononye said: “This is a 100-bed isolation unit, fully equipped with mobile X-ray and mobile ultra-sound and every facility required to handle patients that will be treated here even though it was initially designed to be a holding centre.

    “We believe that with this facility, the capacity of the state’s COVID-19 response team to deal with COVID-19 related issues has been greatly enhanced”.

    Representative of CACOVID and Zonal Manager of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Lucky Ighade, thanked the State Government for its commitment in handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    He assured them that CACOVID was determined to render more support in the nearest future.

    Commissioner for Information Charles Aniagwu; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Mimmie Oseji; Director of Medical Services and Training, Dr Charles Ofili and Chairman of Aniocha North, Mr Chuks Oseme attended the inauguration ceremony.

  • Delta shuts fruit market where seller tested positive for COVID-19

    Delta shuts fruit market where seller tested positive for COVID-19

    The authorities of Ika South Local Government Area have shut down Ediken Fruit Market at Agbor where a positive COVID-19 case was discovered.

    Ika South Local Government chairman Mr Victor Okoh, said it was imperative the council took precautionary measures to curb the spread of the virus.

    He said the case was a seller at the market and that the State and local government officials had commenced contact tracing of persons who had contact with the fruit seller.

    He commended Central Hospital Agbor officials, for due diligence on the case.

    Okoh assured residents not to panic, adding that the fruit market has been disinfected.

    In a related development, authorities of Ika North East L.G.A have arraigned 26 persons for violating the compulsory use of face masks.

    The offenders were arraigned at the magistrate court Owa-Oyibu.

    Council chief, Victor Ebonka said adequate sensitisation had been carried out on the use of face mask, stressing that the authorities would not tolerate residents disobeying simple instructions.

    He emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic has entered community transmission phase, stressing the local government authorities would not fold it’s arms and watch some persons jeopardize the gains made in curbing the virus.

  • Coronavirus kills 78-yr-old man in Delta

    Coronavirus kills 78-yr-old man in Delta

    A 78 year-old man has died of the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic in Warri, Delta State.

    His death becomes the sixth recorded COVID-19 death in the state.

    The state commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye, while confirming the death via a statement Wednesday, disclosed that the patient died at the Warri Central Hospital, where he was rushed to for treatment.

    According to the commissioner, the patient died three hours after he was rushed to the Warri isolation centre from a private hospital unconscious.

    The statement said, “since the index case of COVID-19 was detected on April 7th, 2020, the State has recorded a total of 28 cases which were from the 425 persons tested so far in the State.

    “Five of the recorded deaths were between 47 and 78 years of age and they all had one pre-existing illness or the other, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic liver or kidney disease.

    “One of the deaths was that of a young man of 20 years who had been suffering from blood cancer and anaemic heart failure that took him to the hospital frequently for treatment, including blood transfusions.

    “As of date, the state has recorded 28 confirmed cases, 6 deaths, 12 discharges, and 10 active cases still being managed in our treatment centers.

    “It is obvious from the recorded deaths that the most vulnerable persons among us are those who have pre-existing illnesses and are elderly”.

    Ononye further appealed to private health providers to ensure that suspected cases are referred to the treatment or holding centres on time.

    “All suspected cases should be promptly referred to the government treatment or holding facilities for further evaluation in order not to waste time in determining the COVID19 status of such patients,” Dr. Ononye added.

  • JUST IN: Gunmen shoot ‘Ijaw’ spokesman dead in Delta

    Pandemonium broke out at the Udu council area of Delta State after some unidentified armed men on Monday evening gunned down the spokesman of a group, Ijaw Interest Advocate (IIA), Comrade Famous Belief Wonikiri-Ebi.

    According to sources, the tragic incident happened near Onos School Road at the Udu council area of Delta state.

    The victim was shot on the neck, in front of his wife’s shop.

    His car was said to have been driven off by the hoodlums after the attack.

    The late Wonikiri-Ebi was said to have died at the hospital he was rushed for treatment, according to a report by The Nation.

    The incident has reportedly left residents in fear and caused serious tension in the neighborhood.

    Meanwhile, the national coordinator of the IIA, also known as Izanzan Intellectual Camp, Amb. Arerebo Salaco Jnr. has described the incident as “unfortunate”.

    He said, “l and the deceased have been receiving threat calls and text messages from unknown numbers as a result of our agitations for the development of the Niger Delta.

    “I cannot say exactly if the people who killed him are armed robbers or assassins. But whoever has done this should be fished out and prosecuted by the relevant security agencies.

    “The matter has been reported at the Police Station by the Secretary of the group, just as I am also confirming that the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue.”

    It will be noted that the deceased was among persons who led a peaceful protest against some leaders of the Niger Delta region, in connection with alleged looting and fraud in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), about two weeks ago in Warri.

    When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the incident.

    She said, “yes, it is confirmed. The man was shot because he resisted them from attacking him. His vehicle was taken away from him.”