The first death as a result of the deadly coronavirus has been recorded in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed this on Monday on Its verified twitter page.

According to the agency, the case was a 67-year-old male who returned following a medical procedure in UK

He had underlying medical conditions- multiple myeloma and diabetes and was undergoing chemotherapy.

The patient, now identified as Suleiman Achimugu, former managing director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), died at 2am on Monday.

The deceased, a native of Kogi state, was said to have returned from the UK two weeks ago.

He was said to have started exhibiting the symptoms of the virus on Tuesday and the case was reported to the NCDC who took his blood sample for a test.

He tested positive and was evacuated to the specialist hospital, Gwagwalada, FCT but died while receiving treatment.

According to a source, his family members are under quarantine at their home at the moment.

A statement from the family issued by Abubakar Achimugu said the deceased had been buried according to Islamic rites.

”Our family is deeply saddened to inform you of the sudden death of our beloved Father, Uncle, Brother and friend. Engr. Suleiman Achimugu (former Md of PPMC),” the statement read.

”He died of COVID 19 on 22/03/2020 some days after he arrived Nigeria from the UK. He was in self isolation upon his return from the UK and personally called NCDC after experiencing some discomfort that are related to COVID 19 symptoms.

”He tested positive and was promptly evacuated to the specialist hospital. He died while receiving treatment.

”We implore the general public to pray upon his soul and the recovery of infected persons .Your thoughts and prayers would be appreciated.

”Please maintain the public social distancing and restriction advice as we all walk through this very difficult time. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites. May Allah SWA have mercy on him.”

Earlier in the day, Nigeria recorded five new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 36.

Out of the 36 cases, 33 are active while two patients have recovered and discharged.

According to the NCDC, the virus has spread to six states — FCT, with seven cases; Lagos, 24 cases; Oyo, one case; Ogun, two cases; Ekiti, one case and Edo, one case.