By Ikeugonna Eleke An octogenarian grandmother, Mrs Mgbeke Ezeagha, has been allegedly killed at Ifiteani Village in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, by a policeman, while attempting to arrest her grandson. Fides gathered that Mrs Ezeagha died on the way to the hospital last Tuesday morning, following injuries she sustained while the Anti-Cult Police in the state raided her compound to arrest her grandson. A source in the community said the anti-cult Police, in an early morning raid, scaled the fence of the woman’s compound, while looking for her grandson, leading to her sustaining injury in the process. Meanwhile, youths of the community had held a protest march to register their displeasure over the incident. The protesters, according to an eyewitness, described the actions of the Anti-Cult Police Division as unbecoming in the area. ‘The protesters are angry about the daily raid that the police carry out in their village. They also said that youths have been forced to flee the village because once they see a young person, they conclude that he is a cultist and they arrest him. ‘As I speak, the youths have started burning tires on major roads in Agulu, and also stopping motorists from plying their road as a sign of displeasure.’ The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Haruna Mohammed, however assured that the situation in the community had been brought under control. He however failed to state what exactly transpired. In a reply to an enquiry over the matter, Mohammed said the situation had been brought under control, and that details would be made public soonest.

-Announces 230 Tests So Far with 9 Deaths

By Ikeugonna Eleke

Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has predicted a rise in the number of COVID-19 Cases in the state as it begins massive tests for the pandemic.
Obiano who addressed Anambra people in a state-wide broadcast on Wednesday, June 10, urged the people of the state not to panic as the rise was expected.

Anambra had on Tuesday night recorded 17 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 53, the cases of positive cases in the state.

‘As we are all aware, there is a surge in the incidence of Covid-19 nationwide at the moment. I have repeatedly warned that as we ramp up our testing campaign, the number of Covid-19 cases would go up. It should not surprise anyone therefore that the number of Covid-19 cases has gone up in our dear state with the increased number of testing.

‘Interestingly, that is the pattern of the nationwide spread of the pandemic at this moment in time. However, as I have assured you in my previous addresses, we have made adequate arrangements to contain the virus in Anambra State. So, I would advise everyone to remain calm. There is no need to panic.

‘If we continue to carry out all the safety measures outlined in the COVID-19 protocol by both the World Health Organization and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, we shall survive this pandemic,’ Obiano stated.

The governor also gave a breakdown of the figures of samples, positive cases and deaths resulting from the pandemic in the state.

‘We have collected a total of 302 samples so far. Out of this figure, 230 results have been released to us while 72 results are still pending with the NCDC testing centre. Out of the 230 results that have been released to us, 53 results returned positive, 13 patients have been discharged, 9 people have passed away, while 31 cases are still active.

‘In the meantime, 7 patients are in our Protective Care Centre, receiving medical attention. It is important to note that the medical status of 7 of the 9 patients who died of COVID-19 in this state was confirmed after a postmortem test on them. In other words, they did not come to our Protective Care Centre for professional management.

‘This is why I must warn that delay is often dangerous in the management of COVID-19 cases. People who show symptoms of this deadly virus are advised to report their conditions early as it increases their chances of surviving this pandemic.’

Obiano said almost 90% of the people that had died from COVID-19 in the state were aged from 60 years and above, saying it was important that people who fell into the age category who were said to have what the experts called co-mobility, should maintain a high level of vigilance to minimize chances of their exposure to the virus.