Buhari’s initial 14-day lockdown of Lagos, FCT, and Ogun expires later today, but he’s yet to issue a new directive.
President Muhammadu Buhari is set to make an announcement on if there will be an extension of a coronavirus-enforced lockdown in two states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Monday, April 13, 2020.
Last month, the president ordered that Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja be put on full lockdown, effective March 30, for 14 days, in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.
The affected states were, at the time, Nigeria’s most pressing areas of concern where coronavirus cases had been confirmed.
Lagos remains the epicenter of the virus, recording 176 of Nigeria’s 323 confirmed cases, as of April 12, while the FCT follows with 56 cases.
The initial lockdown is set to end at 11 pm today, with speculations rife that it might be extended further.
During his Easter message over the weekend, the president hinted that restrictions will last as long as needed, but he didn’t directly address the topic of extension.
The freedoms we ask you to willingly forsake today will only last as long as our scientific advisers declare they are necessary. But they are essential – world over – to halt and defeat the spread of this virus.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) April 11, 2020
In direct response to the speculations that have grown online with the approaching deadline, the president’s media aide, Bashir Ahmad, said on Monday that the president will soon address the issue.
“I can see a lot of questions on whether there will be an extension of the lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun or not, with the initial 14 days expiring tonight, Nigerians will be properly communicated on the next step. For now, as President @MBuhari appealed, stay safe at home,” he said.
I can see a lot of questions on whether there will be an extension of the lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun or not, with the initial 14 days expiring tonight, Nigerians will be properly communicated on the next step. For now, as President @MBuhari appealed, stay safe at home.
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) April 13, 2020