A health center in Abuja has been shut down by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, for allegedly collecting funds and issuing fake coronavirus test results to people.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General, NCDC, made the disclosure during the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 national briefing in Abuja on Monday.

Ihekweazu further explained that the centre collected samples for testing from people, but there was no evidence that tests were actually carried out.

“This particular event has been an issue and a big challenge for us at NCDC and the PTF as well.

“Last week, the FCT Administration supported us by sealing off an illegal testing centre.

“This centre had been collecting funds for conducting the coronavirus tests from citizens and issuing fake results to them.

“In these fake laboratories, samples are collected, but there is no single evidence that they are been tested.

“This is not only a fraudulent act but has caused huge damage by increasing the spread of the virus and loss of lives,” he said.

Ihekweazu, however, urged Nigerians to stop visiting these centres.

He further revealed that accredited centres were on the NCDC website.