By Ibrahim Jibril Ikowe/Lagos
He always had his doubts about the COVID-19 vaccine like several other Lagosians. Malam Abubakar Musah, a resident of Morcaz area in Agege, Lagos eventually lost his life two days after taking the first dose of the vaccine.
This happens as Lagos State government reportedly approved the sum of N6,000 for the administration of vaccines against coronavirus infection at private health facilities in the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this known on Wednesday while declaring open the state’s mass vaccination campaign, expressing the government’s desire to have a minimum of 4 million residents vaccinated by December 25.
The vaccines to be administered by the approved 400 private health facilities alongside the public centres are the same that have been sourced by the Nigerian government through donations and various other means.
The treatment for the virus now costs a minimum of N350,000 per day at the state-owned cardiac and renal centre, which is located inside the general hospital, Gbagada.
It all started like a play. Mallam Musah had felt sick for some time, and had taken time off work at NAPACK Nig Ltd on ACME Road, Ogba. On October 11, 201, he called in a nurse who treated him for malaria and typhoid fever. He felt better.
However, getting back to work, he was advised like many others by the management on the need to take the COVID-19 vaccine. On October 18, Musah, the company’s ambulance driver in company of other staff went to take the vaccine.
After taking the vaccine, he developed stomach pains on the same day. His brother, Malam Abdullahi told Gavel International that the deceased had a history of ulcer. On the morning of October 20, Musah’s wife, Hajia Ramatu Abubakar went to wake him up for his subhi prayers, but he did not respond. He was quickly rushed to Crystal Hospital, Egbeda, Lagos where he was confirmed dead.
Family members were confused about Musah’s fate. According to Malam Abudulahi a strong member of the family said “God gives life and takes it when He wants, but in this case, where someone took COVID-19 vaccine on Monday then dies on Wednesday? So should the world say that he died as a result of the COVID-19 vaccine he took? However, in the real sense Allah took him
The eight day fidau prayers took place on Wednesday October 27, 2021, opposite Islamic High School, Moricas, Agege, Lagos, at the residence of the deceased. The female preacher Malama Bushrah from Ghana said in her message: “No one gives life and no one takes it only Allah”. She called on the people carrying rumours that COVID-19 vaccine killed Abubakar Musah to stop . She said nothing can happen without the knowledge of the Almighty Allah and HIS permission. She called on the people to obey the rules and regulations of this pandemic and have faith in Allah . She narrated how Prophet Muhammad and his companions did not enter town due the problem of of a pandemic in that location.
Another member of the family, Alhaji Abdul Hamid who has also taken the first dose said he did not believe that it was the COVID-19 vaccine that killed him . According to him, when he was going to take the first dose, he had a little cough. “Even at Agege Local Government where I took the dose people were running from my cough but today I Thank Allah I am fine now”, he concluded.
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