We’re Not Aware Of Zeenat El-Zakzaky’s COVID-19 Status – Kaduna Prison

The Controller of Kaduna Correctional Service, Ibrahim Maradun, says he is not aware that Zeenat El-Zakzaky tested positive for COVID-19.

Naija News recalls that her son, Mohammed, announced on Thursday that his mother had contracted the virus after their family doctor visited them in detention.

Reacting on Friday, Maradun said officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Wednesday carried out a COVID-19 test on her and the test results are not back.

The prison official noted Zeenat has been in isolation since the sample was taken.

“As far as I am concerned, the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) officials took her sample on Wednesday around 5pm and I am yet to receive the result,” he said.

“She has been in isolation since the day and her personal physician has been seeing her from time to time in the company of the doctors representing the state and the correctional service.”

Maradun also refuted reports of COVID-19 in their facilities, adding that all inmates are safe and highly protected from the virus.

He said all custodial centres in the state were locked down in March 2020 and halted the admission of new inmates while it installed gadgets to facilitate compliance with COVID-19 prevention protocols.

Recall that El-Zakzaky and his wife have been in detention since 2015 after some of his followers clashed with soldiers in Zaria, Kaduna.

El-Zakzaky is standing trial over allegations of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, disruption of public peace, among other charges.