Top Banker Dies from Suspected COVID-19 in Kano while Waiting to be Tested

Malik Yahya/

A Kano-based top management staff of a First Bank Plc. has reportedly died from suspected COVID -19 complications.

NewsmakersNG learnt that the deceased had earlier been treated for typhoid before his condition worsened yesterday.

He was reportedly rushed to a private clinic after he developed high fever, cough and difficulty in breathing.

He was placed on oxygen on arrival at the private clinic but the treatment was discontinued after he displayed no signs of stability.

He was later referred to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.

One Hajiya Salma Ahmed, a mother-in-law of the deceased, in a viral audio, recounted how the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) frustrated attempts to have him tested.

She disclosed that “the family had called the “Kano NCDC” line several times but the calls went unanswered.

She finally decided to call “Abuja NCDC” and was assured that officials in Kano would visit the patient to take his samples.

She said it was much later she learned that the Kano COVID-19 test centre had been temporarily shut down.

She added that “no one visited up till my son-in-law died in agony”, while raising fears about the COVID-19 status of her daughter and her children.

Meanwhile, First Bank has issued a statement mourning the deceased, identified as Abdullahi Lawal.

The statement by Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications of the bank, reads:

FirstBank mourns as we confirm the loss of our staff, Abdullahi Lawal who until his passing worked at our Kano Main Branch.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time as we do all that is necessary to support them. We ask that all necessary courtesies be extended to the family so they can grieve privately. 

As a responsible corporate organization, FirstBank has been at the fore-front of the concerted efforts against the coronavirus pandemic alongside others. 

We have robust protocols in place including practicing social distancing, frequently disinfecting our buildings and locations even whilst ensuring services are available through our alternative channels such as our ATMs and other digital platforms. 

We have immediately therefore, shut down access to the premises as we disinfect the entire location and ask all staff and customers who may have been in contact with our late colleague to follow the NCDC guidelines and self-isolate. We will, as a matter of course, extend all possible support to staff and customers at this difficult time.

Our thoughts are with the family he left behind and indeed with the wider FirstBank family who mourn this loss deeply at this time.   

We remain committed to protecting the health and safety of all staff, customers and host communities, as together the fight against coronavirus will be won.

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