President Muhammadu Buhari roared like a wounded lion Sunday evening, and declared an all out aggressive war against the rampaging Coronavirus, which is making a dangerous inroad into the country to replicate the massive damage it has caused in other countries.
He slammed a curfew on Lagos, Abuja and Ogun State, which have recorded the largest number of human beings infected with the disease in the country.
In a nationwide broadcast, the President also announced other measures to curb the community transmission of the deadly respiratory disease caused by coronavirus in the states where it is prevalent. At least 11 states and Abuja the Federal Capital territory, have recorded cases.
He launched the anti-COVID-19 war few hours after Nigeria recorded its 97th virus case, a figure that shot up the statistics for the country alarmingly by 340 .9 percent just within one week.
Going by the breakdown by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), as at late Saturday, Lagos State leads with 59 cases, followed by 16 in Abuja, Ogun – 3, Oyo – 7, Edo – 2, Bauchi – 2, Enugu – 2, Osun – 2 while Ekiti, Kaduna, Rivers and Benue states have one case of the infection
While one death has been recorded, at least three patients have so far been discharged after they fully recovered from the disease.
According to The President: “Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020. This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States.
“All citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes. Travel to or from other states should be postponed. All businesses and offices within these locations should be fully closed during this period.
“The Governors of Lagos and Ogun States, as well as the Minister of the FCT, have been notified. Furthermore, heads of security and intelligence agencies have also been briefed.
“We will use this containment period to identify, trace and isolate all individuals that have come into contact with confirmed cases. We will ensure the treatment of confirmed cases while restricting further spread to other States.
“This order does not apply to hospitals and all related medical establishments as well as organizations in health care related manufacturing and distribution.
“Furthermore, commercial establishments such as; food processing, distribution and retail companies; petroleum distribution and retail entities, power generation, transmission and distribution companies; and private security companies are also exempted.
“Although these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored.
“Workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff who can prove they are unable to work from home are also exempted.”
Besides, he ordered suspension the movements of all passenger aircraft, both commercial and private jets in Nigeria.
“Movements of all passenger aircraft, both commercial and private jets, are hereby suspended. Special permits will be issued on a needs basis,” he said.
He sympathised with the family of the former Managing Director of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, Suleiman Achimugu, who died of the novel coronavirus. He also prayed for the quick recovery of other COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment.
He said, “By the morning of March 29, 2020, the total confirmed cases within Nigeria has risen to 97. Regrettably, we also had our first fatality: a former employee of the PPMC, who died on March 23, 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in these very difficult times.
“We also pray for a quick recovery for those infected and are undergoing treatment.
“As of today, COVID-19 has no cure. Scientists around the world are working very hard to develop a vaccine.
“We are in touch with these institutions as they work towards a solution that will be certified by international and local medical authorities, which is the shortest possible time.”
