The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed the first death of Coronavirus on Monday through its Twitter update.
The NCDC via its Twitter handle, @NCDCgov, on Monday said, “The first #COVID19 death in Nigeria has been recorded. The case was a 67-year-old male who returned home following medical treatment in the United Kingdom.
“He had underlying medical conditions- multiple myeloma and diabetes and was undergoing chemotherapy.”
The patient, Suleiman Achimugu, former managing director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), died at 2am on Monday.
The deceased, a native of Kogi State, was said to have returned from the United Kingdom two weeks ago.
He was said to have started exhibiting the symptoms of the virus on Tuesday and the case was reported to the NCDC who took his blood specimen for a test.
He tested positive and was evacuated to the specialist hospital, Gwagwalada in Abuja but died while receiving treatment.
According to a source, his family members are reportedly under quarantine at his home.
A statement from the family issued by Abubakar Achimugu said the deceased had been buried according to Islamic rites.
”Our family is deeply saddened to inform you of the sudden death of our beloved Father, Uncle, Brother and friend. Engr. Suleiman Achimugu (former Md of PPMC),” the statement read.
”He died of COVID-19 on 22/03/2020 some days after he arrived Nigeria from the UK. He was in self-isolation upon his return from the UK and personally called NCDC after experiencing some discomfort that are related to COVID 19 symptoms.
”He tested positive and was promptly evacuated to the specialist hospital. He died while receiving treatment.
”We implore the general public to pray upon his soul and the recovery of infected persons .Your thoughts and prayers would be appreciated.
”Please maintain the public social distancing and restriction advice as we all walk through this very difficult time.He has since been buried according to Islamic rites. May Allah SWA have mercy on him.”
Earlier in the day, Nigeria recorded five new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 36.
Out of the 36 cases, 33 are active while two patients have recovered and discharged.
According to NCDC, the virus has spread to six states -FCT, with seven cases; Lagos, 24 cases; Oyo, one case; Ogun, two cases; Ekiti, one case and Edo, one case
 has confirmed the death in its update on the virus on Monday on Twitter.){kind=link}