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The Kogi State controversial index case, Sheikh Abubakar Ejibunu, has been discharged from the National Hospital, Abuja, where he was treated after showing novel coronavirus symptoms.

The index case who is also the Chief Imam of Kabba town was said to have been discharged at about 4:00 pm on Saturday, Daily Trust learnt on Sunday.

According to a family member, the Chief Imam would be leaving Abuja to unite with his family in Kabba.

He said Sheikh Egbunu is taking his rest with a family member in Gwagwalada suburb of Abuja preparatory to the trip back home.

Daily Trust reports that the announcement of the two index cases from the state had heightened the lingering controversy on the status of the state between the government and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The state government had questioned the veracity of what it referred to as NCDC’s “dubious” claim, insisting that the state was COVID-19 free.

Governor Yahaya Bello went ahead to lock down the affected area as a precautionary measure because of “obvious move to spread the virus” in the state.

He noted that the lockdown would enable the state government to carry out house-to-house test of all residents and forestall infiltration of the area by “agents of those who are keen on escalating” the disease in the state.

The governor said on Friday in Lokoja that the lift of the ban was informed by the conclusion of contact tracing in the area.

He said the lockdown availed the state government opportunity to clear the air on the alleged “frivolous misconception” thrown up by the NCDC.