The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has closed down a health facility in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for issuing fake COVID-19 test results to innocent individuals.
This was revealed by the NCDC Director-General, Chikwe Ihekweazu, during the briefing of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 on Monday.
He said the center has been collecting money from intending travelers and issuing counterfeit results in return.
Ihekweazu noted that the Centre actually collected COVID-19 test samples but there was nothing to prove the tests were carried out.
The NCDC said it acted based on an investigative report done by The cable Newspaper, which revealed the illegal racketeering of coronavirus test results by officials of the Port Health Services (PHS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Airport.
“Last week, the FCT Administration supported us in an investigation that ended up in the sealing of one of those testing centre in Abuja. This centre had been collecting funds from citizens and issuing fake results.
“In these fake laboratories and testing sites, samples are collected but there is no evidence they are tested,” Ihekweazu said.
He condemned the act, describing it as fraudulent, as it can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 as well as loss of lives.
The NCDC DG also urged the general public to desist from patronizing centers not accredited by the agency for COVID-19 testing.