Kingsley Fanwo, the state commissioner of information, confirmed the news of his death in a statement on Thursday.

Oyibo, aged 69, reportedly died suddenly.

“A retired Army Officer, the late Hon. Oyibo was hugely instrumental to the security strides of the Governor Yahaya Bello Administration as the Chairman of the Security Trust Fund,” the statement said

“As he bowed after fighting bravely against diabetes at the age of 69, he will be remembered for his patriotism, hardwork and commitment to the security agenda of the present administration in the state.

“He will be buried today according to Islamic rites. The late Hon. Oyibo is survived by a loving family. He will be sorely missed by his family, the people of Adavi Local Government Area and the entire people of Kogi State.

“May God give all he has left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced three cases of COVID-19 in the state, but the state government insists that Kogi is free of the disease.

On Tuesday, Yahaya Bello, the governor, said Nigerians are being made to accept the reality of COVID-19 “by force”.

He alleged that the disease was created to “shorten the lifestyle of the people” and asked residents not to accept what he described as “cut and paste COVID-19″.

Some prominent persons in the state are suspected to have died of COVID-19 complications.

On Saturday, Nasir Ajanah, the chief judge, died at a COVID-19 isolation centre in Gwagwalada, Abuja, less than two weeks after one of the governor’s aides died at the same centre.