By Nihinlolawa Akanke
The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken responsibility for the non-adherence to its physical distancing and mass gathering order at the burial of late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.
The stay at home order was earlier announced by the Federal Goverment towards preventing the spread of the novel Corona virus.
The sight at the Gudu Cemetary, Abuja burial ceremony of the late CoS therefore prompted an uproar and condemnation by the Nigerian public as the crowded site was full of scores of sympathisers standing close to each other, touching shoulders.
The Chairnan, Presidential Task Force Committee on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha has in a press statement apologized for government’s mistake at the burial ceremony of the late CoS, explaining the safety measure of his body being thoroughly decontaminated and placed in a body bag, sealed in a coffin before transportation to Abuja.
Below is the text of the statement.
PRESS STATEMENT
“We Acknowledge Mistakes Made During Burial of Late CoS – PTF
“The burial of the late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, on 18 April 2020, has attracted a lot of concerns from Nigerians over the non-adherence to the physical distancing measures and mass gathering restrictions at the Gudu Cemetery.
“The nonobservance of physical distancing and the flouting of mass gathering restrictions at the cemetery were due to the failure of crowd control measures.
“We acknowledge that mistakes were made, we have learnt from these mistakes and would ensure that future events are adequately regulated in accordance with the Presidential Task Force and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols.
“It is however important to state that the body of the late Chief of Staff, who died on 17 April 2020, was prepared for burial in line with the NCDC interim guidelines for the safe management of a deceased person with COVID-19 infection.
“As a matter of fact, the body of anyone who dies from COVID-19 infection will not be released for burial without following these guidelines
“Consequently, the body of the late Chief of Staff was thoroughly decontaminated, put in a body bag and then a sealed coffin in Lagos before being flown to Abuja. On arrival in Abuja, all safety measures required to protect those handling the body were strictly adhered to, from the plane to the burial ground. At no time was the body openly exposed to the environment.
“It is worth noting that while COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is significantly less infectious when compared to Ebola or Lassa fever, the protocols for safe burial must still be strictly followed.
“The incidents that were recorded after the burial, which may have compromised due safety procedures, have been duly recognized and correct steps taken to limit any risk to the public.”
Mr. Boss Mustapha
Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19
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