an alleged massive outbreak of coronavirus in Azare, a town in Bauchi
state.
In the letter dated May 8, 2020, Baba averred that the proximity of
Azare to Kano and Jigawa might be responsible for the increased cases of
Coronavirus in the town.
The former lawmaker who appealed to President Buhari to direct
officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to visit the
town, said over 100 Coronavirus deaths has been recorded in the town in
the last one week.
“Your Excellency, Sir, I write to draw your kind attention to the
massive outbreak of coronavirus in Azare town and environs in Bauchi
State, which has already resulted in over 100 in the last one week, and
this has thrown the entire area into great mourning, panic and
confusion.“The centrality and proximity of Azare to Bauchi, Kano and some major
cities of Jigawa states make the town’s large population susceptible to
the virus due to the already existing large cases of the disease in
those areas.“And because media coverage is always largely skewed toward states
capital and other more prominent cities, the ongoing horrific situation
in Azare has not gotten the attention it deserves, and that’s why I want
to use this privilege to appeal to you for urgent action to arrest the
unpalatable situations.“Consequently therefore, I wish to appeal to your Excellency to
direct the National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) and the
presidential Task force on COVID-19 to urgently reach out to Azare town
with all the necessary facilities and palliatives to assist the
communities there.”He also appealed to the president to allow a facility the Central
Bank of Nigeria built at a Federal Medical Centre in the town to be used
for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.“And to help in this expected effort, may I draw your attention to
the fact that at the Opthamology unit and laboratory have already been
built and equipped by the Central Bank of Nigeria at the Azare Federal
Medical Centre Since 2013 but have not been commissioned and put to use
up till now,” he said.“This facility can be repurposed to a COVID-19 test and treatment
center provided the right equipment are added, including ventilators.“As a matter of life death, I have the utmost trust in your sense of
patriotism and commitment to the well-being of Nigerians that you will
assist the beleaguered people of Azare town and environs to overcome
this harrowing situation. And while I look forward to your kind
response, please, accept the assurance of my high esteem and loyalty.”