The Akwa Ibom State Government has intercepted a corpse infected with COVID-19 being smuggled into the state for burial.
According to a report by theCable, the intercepted corpse was buried by the COVID-19 regulations enforcement team in Akwa-Ibom according to NCDC protocols on burying deceased Coronavirus patients.
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The people who smuggled the infected corpse from Lagos have also been put in isolation pending the outcome of the test carried out on them.
According to the Commissioner of Health for Akwa-Ibom, Dominic Ukpong said the corpse was transported overnight on May 6 and was intercepted at the border of the state in the early hours of the morning.
The Commissioner wondered how the ambulance and the corpse passed through seven states despite the ban on inter-state travel and the heavy presence of security agencies on the highway.
“But for the alertness of the police officers posted to our borders, the corpse would have successfully made it to its destination in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area,” the Commissioner said.
We really appreciate the point of entry team, as well as the burial committee that ensured the deceased was committed to Mother Earth on the same day in Ikot Ebidang Village, Mkpat Enin Local government area,” he added.
He further urged members of the public to report any individual who sneaks into their community to state authorities while calling on village heads and community leaders to cooperate with the state government.
He also appealed to the public not to discriminate against people who have recovered from COVID-19.