Niger SSG denies 3 commissioners tested positive for coronavirus

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna.

The Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG) and Chairman, Niger State Task Force on COVID-19 Pandemic, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane has denied a report attributed to him that three members of the State Executive Council have tested positive for Coronavirus.
According to a statement issued and made available to journalists yesterday in Minna by the Information Officer SSG’s Office, Lawal Tanko, the report was published by some National dailies and circulated on social media platforms was untrue and unfounded.
Matane appealed to the public to disregard the report and discourage the circulation of any unverified information, stressing that such could cause harm and unnecessary panic among the citizens.
He assured that the State Government remained fully committed to the containment of COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring that the people of the State strictly adhere to safety protocols of Coronavirus in line with International Health Regulations.
The SSG urged the people of the State to discountenance the alarm being raised, as the Government remain committed to protect the lives of its citizens in this fight against Coronavirus pandemic.
The Chairman enjoined the people of the State to adhere to the use of face masks, application of hand sanitizer, regular hand washing with soap, physical and social distancing, so as to help curb the spread of the pandemic in the State, adding that coronavirus is still very much lurking around.
He also implored Journalists in the State to always criss check their facts before going to the press in adherence with the ethics of their profession in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities through accurate reportage.