An official of the National Centre for Disease Control [NCDC], who was ordered by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to take the coronavirus [COVID-19] test, has fled the state.

Dr Andrew Noah had led a delegation of the NCDC to Kogi State. However, during a welcoming event, Dr. Noah had shaken hands with the Director of Protocol, Sunday Ayenibe, after taking a microphone from him, prompting Governor Bello to order their isolation and tests for COVID-19.

The State Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement issued late Thursday night, explained that Governor Bello had also explained that Dr Noah had contravened NCDC’s rules and regulations and should be tested for Covid-19 since he was coming from the epicentre of the disease.

However, the NCDC officials declined to be tested for the disease, insisting they were sent to Kogi to assist the state in responding to the challenges posed by the pandemic.

They have since left the state back to Abuja.

WuzupNigeria reports that Kogi had yet to report a single case of the virus.

Fanwo, in the statement, said the NCDC Officials refusing to be tested was a matter of concern to the Kogi government.

He said that NCDC should come hard on its officials for violating its rules.

“Today, the Governor showed the statesmanship in him once again by appreciating the support of the NCDC and defending the health interests of his people.

“NCDC quarantined the Chinese professionals that came to give them technical support and also took their samples for test. It is a normal practice and protocol set by NCDC.

“So NCDC will have a lot to explain as to why its officials refused to test for COVID-19. How can we be sure of their status? What are their fears? Why did NCDC sent people who are afraid of test to our State? What was their intention?

“The officials that came have done an integrity blow to the works of the NCDC. Is there something they are hiding? It is time NCDC opened up and apologize to the good people of Kogi State.

“How will they encourage people to test when its own officials are afraid of test? This is sad.”

It would be recalled that Kogi is one of the two states that are yet to record a single COVID-19 case in the federation.