Kwara State Technical Committee on COVID-19 pandemic has asked the Permanent Secretary in the
Ministry of Health Dr Ayinla Abubakar to proceed on indefinite suspension.
The decision followed the mishandling of the evacuation of a man who locals said had locked himself in
his vehicle for days and had become distressed following some personal life challenges.
A footage had earlier surfaced of the mishandling of the rescue operation for the man.
“The committee is thoroughly embarrassed at the whole development. While the driver has been
sacked from all activities of the committee for unilaterally allowing evacuation of the man by members
of the public without waiting for the Rapid Response Team (RRT) to arrive the scene as instructed, the
Permanent Secretary who directed him to proceed on the operation with a COVID-19 ambulance
without due diligence and respect for all safety protocols is hereby asked to proceed on an indefinite
suspension forthwith,” according to a statement signed by Kayode Alabi, Deputy Governor and
Chairman of the COVID-19 Committee.
“As the highest official involved in the RRT squad who gave the directive for the driver to proceed, the
committee does not accept his explanation regarding the ugly development.
“He has been asked to hand over to the most senior officer on the team pending his return from
suspension. This development also has necessitated a new round of refresher course (which is now
ongoing) for all our ambulance drivers and members of the RRT, as the scenario witnessed in the
footage cannot be allowed to happen ever again.
Arotolu Modupe
