COVID-19: Kogi Lawmaker returns from overseas travel, ignores advice on self quarantine

The presence of the lawmaker representing the Ajaokuta state constituency at the Kogi State House of Assembly, Balogun Bello, on the streets of Lokoja, days after his return from the United States, is raising anxiety among the people.

Bello who was said to have arrived the country over the weekend was allegedly spotted at a popular restaurant, Missi T, Sunday afternoon and later at night at the Lokoja club in company of some female friends.

While his presence in the capital has continued to trend on social media, with many querying his refusal to subject himself to the 14 days self-quarantine as advised by the authorities.

It was further gathered that another serving lawmaker in the state, whose identity could not be verified as at the time of writing this story, has also followed in the line of evading self quarantine, days after return from overseas travel.

The lawmaker is said to have visited the US where he resided along with his family before his election into the state assembly.

Two lecturers of the state-owned university who were on study leave in one of the European countries, similarly returned to the country over the weekend, but their whereabouts remain unknown.

A source who confided in us, said the issue of the lawmaker and the two lecturers was raised on Monday at the inauguration of the ‘Squadron Team,’ a committee set up by the state government as part of measures put in place to forestall the spread of the Coronavirus disease in the state.

The state commissioner of health, Saka Audu was said to have been mandated to issue a statement on the danger of the spread of the deadly disease in the state and to caution citizens on the need to adhere strictly to the WHO warnings.

Efforts made to get the lawmaker’s reaction, proved abortive, as of the time of filing this report.

Bello is the Majority Leader in the state house of assembly.