A 47-year-old Chinese national, Luo Mao, has been confirmed dead after he suddenly slumped while on duty at a ceramics company in the Ajaokuta area of Kogi State.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, disclosed this while responding to an enquiry by PUNCH Metro on Thursday.
According to him, the incident occurred on Friday.
He said the Human Resource Manager of the company (name undisclosed) lodged the report at the Area Command in Ajaokuta.
He said, “The incident happened on Friday, August 2, at about 6:30 pm. The HR manager came to the Area Command and lodged a report that a Chinese supervisor in the company collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by doctors on duty.”
The police spokesman said the remains of the deceased had been deposited in the morgue.
Meanwhile, a security expert, Makama Zagazola, who had earlier posted about the development via his X handle, stated on Thursday that Mao collapsed at the press department of the company.
Zagazola added that Mao was rushed to two different hospitals before he passed away.
He wrote, “Sources said that the expatriate, identified as Mr. Luo Zhi Mao, collapsed on Aug. 2 at about 6:30 p.m. while working at the Press Department of the factory. He was immediately rushed to the Covenant Hospital, Ajaokuta, and subsequently referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.
“However, due to an ongoing strike by doctors and nurses at the FMC, he was later moved to the Shifaah Hospital in Lokoja. At about 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 5, Mr. Luo was confirmed dead at the Shifaah Hospital. His body has been deposited at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.”
While quoting sources familiar with the incident, Makama said investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of death, adding that no foul play had yet been suspected.
Recall in April, some Chinese expatriates and a policeman were killed in an ambush by armed men in Abia State.
It was gathered that four other Chinese expatriates and two police officers were, however, rescued by security operatives.
The attack occurred while the group was en route to a company site in Agukwu-Amaya, Ndundu Community, Uturu, Isuikwuato Local Government Area of the state.
