There was panic among staff of the National Youth Service Corps on Tuesday after a resident officer died of COVID-19.

The PUNCH reports that the top officer was posted to the permanent orientation camp in Kano, a few days ago where he developed coronavirus symptoms and died on Tuesday.

Following his death, workers of the NYSC in Abuja and orientation camps, particularly in Kano, had been gripped by fear of contracting COVID-19.

According to The PUNCH, the deceased officer went to Kano State where he represented the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General, Shuaibu Ibrahim.

When contacted, NYSC Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations), Emeka Mgbemena, confirmed the death of the officer, but said he died outside the orientation camp.

But a top officer of the NYSC, who confided in the media outfit, said the officer was tested by doctors and officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control who confirmed that he died as a result of COVID -19.

The source said the NYSC management and the NCDC are trying to hide the case, adding that multiple numbers of the NCDC staff are in the camp.

Another top officer of the service, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said staff of the NYSC in other camps, who had learnt about the development had started panicking.