COVID-19: Islamic group kicks against NCDC figures for Kano

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has disputed figures recently quoted by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC,  as the death toll for Kano State, accusing the body of lying about the figures.

In a statement signed by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group argued that even the latest figures released on Monday, 4th May, 2020 which gave Kano 23 while places like Lagos, Abuja and Katsina had 76, 19 and 37 respectively are questionable.

“We beg to disagree. If all other figures are correct, that of Kano is unacceptable. Kano is presently known to be Nigeria’s epicenter of the pandemic. So how can Lagos be 62 and Kano is just 2? How can the figure for COVID-19 cases be 2 in a city where people are dropping dead? How can Kano’s figure be the same as those of Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Osun, Kwara and Plateau? We charge stakeholders to put their heads together on this simple logic?

“NCDC should dust up its statistics. What we suspect is inadequate testing facilities. This is what should be addressed. NCDC may also be understaffed. These shortcomings cannot be easily overcome no matter how good NCDC’s intention may be unless FG does the needful. Kano centre needs a holistic overhaul in terms of manpower and equipment.”