President Mohammadu Buhari has extended the lockdown in Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states by two weeks as Nigeria fights to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.
Buhari said this in a nationwide broadcast on Monday. He explained that the extension of the lockdown for 14 days became necessary due to an “alarming” increase in positive cases in a number of states.
As at 09:30 pm, April 13, 2020, NCDC record showed that the total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria stool at 343, while 91 patients were discharged, 10 death was recorded.
Stress that “it is difficult to take”, the President said he was convinced that the extension of the lockdown was the right decision, warning that “the repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable.”
He said that government’s objective remained to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and to provide space, time and resources for an aggressive and collective action.
“With this in mind and having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, it has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020. I am therefore once again asking you all to work with Government in this fight.”
“This is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death. Mosques in Makkah and Madina have been closed. The Pope celebrated Mass on an empty St. Peter’s Square. The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris held Easter Mass with less than 10 people.
“India, Italy and France are in complete lockdown. Other countries are in the process of following suit. We cannot be lax.
“This is difficult to take but I am convinced that this is the right decision. The evidence is clear.
“The Repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable,” Buhari said.
Peace Obi
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