Ebonyi records first COVID-19 case, arrests five pastors for flouting lockdown order

Ebonyi State has recorded its first COVID-19 case.

The state Governor David Umahi stated this in a statement on Sunday evening.

He said the patient is a 31- year- old man from Ukawu in Onicha Local government area of the state.

According to him, “Today 26th of April 2020, unfortunately I wish to announce that Ebonyi has recorded the first Covid-19 index case.

‘The index case is a 31 years old man from Ukawu ok no Onicha Local government area.

“He runs a higher transport business with his Sienna vehicle which he uses to carry food items to Ore in Ogun State. Usually after selling this food items he will use the vehicle to carry passengers back to Southeast.”

The patient, he revealed, had made two journeys- one on 29th of March and returned to Ebonyi on 1st of April.

He said the patient travelled again on April 12 to Ore.

“While in Ore he could not get passengers to bring back to Southeast. And he had to wait for some time in Ore sleeping in motor parks and filling stations. And when he could not he started making his way back to Ebonyi State.

“On his way he saw three Ebonyians that were speaking Ebonyi language. He stopped, they told him that they were going to Ebonyi and we’re stranded with no money.

“He called the parents and they agreed that he should bring them back and they would pay him when they got back. So he took the three of them and started coming back. That was on the 15th of April”.

The Governor said they passed through many states sleeping in my parks and filling stations on the way and only got to Ebonyi borders on the 20th.

Continuing, he said, they passed through Ivo local government and made their way to Okposi in Ohaozara where they were intercepted by the state anti-COVID-19 task force and brought to Abakaliki in line with government policy.

Umahi said that at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium holding area where they were kept for some days, a test was conducted on them and the driver tested positive on Saturday while the three passengers were negative.

He however directed for a second test on the passengers, which came out the same way on Sunday.

The Governor said that contact tracing of over 300 persons he might have come in minimal contact with has commenced.

He however assured the people not to panic as the State Government has made adequate preparations for such occasion.

The index case, he added, has been moved to the State’s isolation centre where he is being treated.

“He is very strong and is not showing any symptoms at the moment,” the Governor added.

In a related development, the Ebonyi State COVID-19 Taskforce on Sunday arrested five pastors in Afikpo North and Ohaukwu Local government areas for violating the lockdown order to contain the spread of COVID-19.

It was alleged the arrested pastors held church service contrary to Government orders.

In Afikpo North, the Task Force led by the Technical Assistant to Governor Dave Umahi, Otu Unyanma, confirmed the arrest of the Pastor of Dynamic Faith Church who violated the order.

Other pastors arrested at Ohaukwu local government area include officiating ministers of Church of Christ Agbaba; Ascension church Agbaba, Methodist church Otuokpeye, and Methodist church Ndegu-Eshi.

The taskforce team in Ohaukwu, acting on a tip-off mobilized and stormed the churches and promptly arrested the pastors and officiating priests.

The Nation gathered that the four officiating ministers have been handed over to the DPO, Ohaukwu Division and will be scheduled for prosecution Monday.

It was also gathered the Commissioner for Internal Security as well as the Attorney General have been notified.

There was however a mild drama at Amike-Abba in Ebonyi Local Government area of Ebonyi State as the Pastor-in-charge of a Pentecostal church located inside a school building and his members took to their heels on sighting members of the COVID-19 taskforce team.

It was gathered that immediately the Taskforce team stormed the venue and gained access into the school premises where the church was being held, both the Pastor, the wife and other members of the church numbering over 30 took to their heels to escape arrest.

The Task Force team having ensured that no member of the church was still inside, locked the premises and directed that such Sunday Church Service must not be held in the church again until a further directive lifting the ban.

• Based on separate reports by The Nation.