Monkeypox false alarm: Delta govt urges security agencies to be on alert

THE Delta State government called on all security agencies to be on the alert to forestall the antics of mischief makers who may want to take advantage of the monkeypox virus injection rumour to cause panic and havoc in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, made the call Friday evening in a statement to debunk the rumour that soldiers were injecting pupils with the virus as they carry out medical outreach to complement Operation Crocodile Smile in the South-South.

Ukah described as the rumour as false and baseless, begging patents and guardians to remain calm and go about their daily routine.

“It has come to the attention of the Delta State Government that parents and guardians are withdrawing their children and wards from schools, following unsubstantiated rumours of students and pupils being lethally injected by unknown persons.

“Government states without equivocation that the rumour is absolutely false and baseless.

“There has been no such reported incident in any school in Delta State.

“We advise parents and guardians to remain calm and go about their normal businesses,” he urged.

The govermment official, in the statement, however, urged “all school heads to take appropriate measures to secure their schools and ensure that students and pupils are properly accounted for until the close of school every day.”

It will be recalled that pandemonium engulfed Sapele and environs on Friday over a growing rumour that some suspected persons in uniform, under the supervision of soldiers, were forcefully injecting pupils in schools with monkeypox virus.

Panic-stricken parents and guardians in apparent spontaneity dashed back to schools of their children and wards to evacuate them.