I tested positive for Coronavirus, says FIRS employee

An official of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Salihu Umar, says he has tested positive for the novel COVID-19.

Umar said this in a tweet on Monday, barely two days after the FIRS authorities denied reports that its employee had tested positive for the virus.

He tweeted, “I have just tested positive for COVID-19. At the moment, I am still under self-isolation as health personnel make their way to my house for evacuation to Gwagwalada Isolation Centre. My neighbours and employer have been notified accordingly.”

Umar called on the Federal Government to shut down Lagos and Abuja immediately in order to contain the spread.


The accountant, who has a BSc and MBA in Agricultural Economics and Business Management, said he was exposed to the virus on an aircraft.

Meanwhile, sources at the FIRS told The PUNCH on Monday that the biometric verification of staff which includes fingerprinting had been suspended at all their offices in order to ease the spread of the virus.

I have just tested positive for COVID19.

At the moment, I am still under self isolation as health personnel make their way to my house for evacuation to Gwagwalada isolation centre.

My neighbours and employer have been notified accordingly.

— Salihu Umar (@Necessary_Cho) March 23, 2020