How naval officer absconded from isolation centre after ‘threatening guards with knife’

A sailor of the Nigerian Navy absconded from a COVID-19 isolation centre in Oghara, Delta state, on Saturday.  

Identified as SM Ahmadu, the rating is said to be serving on board the navy’s base maintenance unit (BMU) in Warri. 

Ehiedu Anagwu, a spokesperson of Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta state, told TheCable Ahmadu had wanted to smoke marijuana but was disallowed at the isolation centre. 

“When they brought him into isolation, he started making requests for weed which of course they wouldn’t give him at the isolation centre,” he said. 

“Usually, once in a while they allow the patients to step outside just to get sunlight and come back in. But this time around when they came out, he had a knife on him, you know being a military man, and he brandished it, chasing off the security manning the gates. That was how he left.”

Anagwu added that the state government had already reported to the military authorities. 

The navy unit also sent out a situation report, asking naval personnel within Delta watch out for Ahmadu. 

“At about 1500, SM Ahmadu U X13125 serving onboard BMU Warri absconded from COVID 19 Isolation Centre Oghara. His phone number is 09026268804,” the report read.  

“It is suspected that the rating could find his way to any Naval or Military Base within DELTA AOR. Therefore, all personnel are advised to be mindful and report his whereabout to the OOD/MOIC for proper containment/evacuation protocol.”

Suleiman Dahun, declined to comment on the matter as he cut off calls put through to him and failed to respond to a text message sent. 

As of Friday, Delta had recorded 17 cases of COVID-19.

Other states like Borno, Oyo and Osun had also had patients absconding from isolation centres.