How DCP Bissong Died of COVID-19, AIG Yakadi

Matilda Omonaiye/

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 5 Benin, Mr Paul Yakadi has told how the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Francis Atim Bissong died of Coronavirus in Benin on Tuesday.

The AIG in a statement signed by the Zonal Police Public Relation Officer (ZPPRO), Emeka Oheanacho expresses regret over the death of DCP Bissong who he described as a hard working officer.

The late DCP Bissong, according to the AIG, died on Tuesday April 21, 2020 in his official quarters in Benin City, having traveled to Akure, Ondo State on April 9, 2020 to see his family during the Easter Holiday and returned to Benin on April 14, where he complained of illness which later developed into symptoms of high fever and immediately went into self isolation.

“On April 18, the blood sample of the officer was taken by the medical doctor in charge of the police medical services, Benin city for examination and analysis and incidentally, the result of the analysis came out on April 21, to be Covid-19 positive.

The officials of the Nigeria Centre For Decease Control (NCDC) were immediately contacted, who came to evacuate him to the isolation centre and treatment, but were shocked to have discovered that the officer died an hour before their arrival at his official residence”.

The AIG who said the NCDC officials have since evacuated the corpse of the late DCP also debunked some media reports that the officer died in the police cottage hospital Benin city.

“For the purpose of clarity and to put the record straight, the late officer died in his official quarters beside Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City”
“Meanwhile, some police officers in Zone 5 who interacted with the late DCP have since Tuesday April 21, 2020, gone into self isolation.

“Also in self Isolation are his immediate staff, including his orderly, his driver, cook, cleaner among others” the AIG said.