As Nigeria confirms more cases of the coronavirus disease – COVID-19 – there are states bracing up for record cases. Lagos, which has 82 cases, and Abuja with 28 cases were thought to be the only cities that will have record numbers. But, while we pray that COVID-19 becomes history in Nigeria, Africa, and the world, so everything returns to normal, it does not look like it will be so, anytime soon.

By noon, Wednesday, April 1, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced that Nigeria’s tally shot up to 151, from 139 recorded on Tuesday, March 31.

According to this new data,  nine new cases have been recorded in Osun, which until then had only five cases. The three other new cases were found in Ekiti and Edo. The numbers in Osun has now overtaken neighbouring Oyo to rank third on the ladder of states with high numbers of recorded cases in Nigeria.

Earlier, Osun residents and social media users had assumed that a doctor and her daughter who had recently returned to the country from the US were the ones who spread the virus in the state; but that story has changed, as the doctor and her daughter have been confirmed negative.

Disregard the rumor of the Dr that came in from America with her sick baby to Ile-Ife being the cause of the rise in Osun state COVID-19 case. She tested negative and her baby has since tested negative also. The new cases entered from Abidjan. 1/3

— Sam Adédìran Àlàdé ? (@adediran_alade) April 1, 2020

This is what happened:

Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, had reached out to the Osun governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Friday, informing him of six buses conveying indigenes of the state, who were stranded at the state’s boundary with the Benin Republic.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by Osun’s commissioner for information, Funke Egbemode, Oyetola expressed his gratitude to Abiodun for providing logistical assistance to some Osun indigenes who were returning to the state.

Oyetola said that beyond the information, the Ogun Government also graciously provided security escort that accompanied the returnees to Osun. According to him: “the returning indigenes of Osun were not denied access through Ogun.”

The returnees, mostly from Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, had returned home to avoid the planned lockdown of the city by the Ivorian government.

“However, on Monday evening, the results of 24 out of the 127 samples taken indicated that three were already positive. So as of Tuesday, we were still awaiting the results for the remaining 103.”

And when the results of an additional 47 out of the 103 came back from the accredited testing centre at the Redeemers University, Ede, nine more tested positive; bringing the total number in Osun to 14.

We still await the result for 56 others hoping they come out negative.

How people are reacting on Twitter:

It just looks like a league table while Lagos is on top of the table with 82 points,FCT sits 2nd,Osun is now sitting 3rd after Osun at bottom the table 2 days ago…
God will help us overcome this noisome pestilence?#COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/pJEuUgaOaH

— Amoskeys ?? (@TaiwoAmos12) April 1, 2020

My Osun, my people
Fear not, fear weakens ur soul & body
We shall be alright
I'm residing in Osogbo and I'm following all government and health officials directive on Covid-19. please too
Stay indoor, maintain the lockdown and stay safe
All is well#OSUN OSUN THE LAND OF VIRTUE

— Folu baby (@Folu_sweet) April 1, 2020

Even Lagos has no new case of #COVIDー19.

Osun what happened gan gan?? pic.twitter.com/Y4myz64ntV

— Professional beggar (@Sheddi_younG) April 1, 2020

More cases to be released in Osun state. More than 100 suspected cases. They're returnees from Cote d'Ivoire. Thank God they self isolate them immediately they get to Ejigbo

— Opeyemi (@__opeyemi_) April 1, 2020

9 new cases in Osun? Like how come?? Osun is not an entry point, not an industrial hub, how exactly are we getting that high number? Eh God Osun is too broke to handle this storm! ?????

— Penknight ♞ (@PenKnight2) April 1, 2020

Osun State has 14 cases,
Now third place in the country after Lagos 82cases and Abuja 14cases.

Why is it so?
Two weeks ago, about 127people returned into Osun State from Ivory Coast. I hear the state govt quarantined them after arrival.

The Osun situation could have been worse.

— #OurFavOnlineDoc ? (@DrOlufunmilayo) April 1, 2020

Meanwhile, Oyetola has called on the federal government not to limit the lockdown directive to Lagos, Ogun and Abuja but the entire country. The Governor said Osun may be having a bigger case comparable to that of Lagos and Abuja if adequate steps are not taken. He also appealed to the federal government to come to the aid of states in terms of palliative.