How Nigeria’s first COVID-19 death forced Ecobank to shut Abuja branch
Ecobank has become the second Nigerian bank, after Access Bank, to shut down one of its branches over COVID-19 pandemic. This is coming barely 24 hours after Access Bank shut down its branch in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The bank announced on Tuesday that it has shut down its branch at Wuse II in Abuja following Nigeria’s first COVID-19 death on Monday.
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed the country’s first coronavirus death on Monday and the victim has been identified as Sulaiman Achimugu, a former Managing Director of the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company.
The bank in a statement said the victim visited the Wuse II branch 12 days before his death.
The statement read:
“Our attention has been drawn to the fact that the deceased was at our twelve days ago.
“The deceased did not show any symptoms at the time of the visit (March 12 2020). In line with the best standards and our COVID-19 response plans, we have, therefore, immediately temporarily closed the branch and all staff at the location have been put in mandatory self-isolation for 14 days, in full compliance with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control guidelines and to ensure their wellbeing and those of our customers.”
Ecobank also urged other customers who visited the branch from Thursday March 12, 2020, up till now to observe self-isolation for 14 days and contact the NCDC.
