Car transporting corpse and suspected Coronavirus patients intercepted by Osun police; one of its passengers dies after coughing uncontrollably

A car conveying some persons and a corpse suspected to have died from COVID-19 complications, was intercepted by the Osun State Police Command.

Vanguard reported that the corpse was transported from Oyo into Osun state last weekend, in a Mazda 323 salon car with registration number KFS 409 EH. The car was intercepted at Odo-Oba border point in Iwo local government area of the state.

However after the driver, Ismaila Ademola who was also transporting a sick person in company of others was asked to return to Ibadan since the Osun State borders were closed, he decided to hide in a bush path waiting for the security operatives to leave the point.

The car which was discovered after a police team combed the bush path, was led to Oyo State boundary town and handed over to ASP Adebayo Michael at Iyana Offa in Oyo State, alongside its occupants.

It was further gathered that one of the sick passengers identified as Yusuf Ishola, who was present throughout the interrogation died in the car after coughing uncontrollably.

Osun Police Spokesperson, Yemisi Opalopa confirmed the incident and she said the vehicle was directed to return to Oyo State because the medical team attached to the police team suspected that the deceased died of coronavirus.

Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bashir Bello disclosed that they are yet to be fully briefed about the incident, but added that the state government will investigate the case.

Bello said;

“Right now, I can’t fully ascertain the genuineness of the report. I’m yet to be fully briefed. Once we have adequate information, we will make it public.

“I can tell you that the state government is working day and night to make sure it contains the spread of the virus. Governor Makinde has made it as a matter of compulsion, the use of facemasks.”

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan stated that the Osun state government will not allow anyone sabotage its fight against Coronavirus.

He said;

“I was in Ila on Sunday to monitor the border community and I was impressed that the Police Area Commander ensured that inbound vehicles were turned back. All of this was to ensure that the virus is no longer imported into the state or aid community spread.”