President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a total lockdown of both Lagos and Abuja, in an effort to curtail the spread of Coronavirus disease via person-to-person transmission.

Restriction of movement was ordered for people in Ogun State, because of its proximity to Lagos.

The President said this during a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, March 29th, 2020.

According to Buhari, the lockdown will last for an initial period of fourteen (14) days with effect from 11:00 pm on Monday, March 30th, 2020.

However, the President clarified that the restriction will not affect people delivering health care, manufacturing institutions, as well as petroleum distribution firms, private security firms, and print and electronic media staff.

Buhari said,

The few confirmed cases outside Lagos and Abuja are linked to persons who have travelled from these centres. We are therefore working to ensure such inter-state and intercity movements are restricted to prevent further spread.

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, March 30, 2020. This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two states.

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.

Buhari noted that all seaports would remain operational, but changes would be made.

He stated that all vehicles conveying food and other essential humanitarian items into these locations (Lagos, Abuja and Ogun) from other parts of the country would also be screened thoroughly before they are allowed to enter these restricted areas.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.