Buhari’s broadcast: Isolated lockdown likely in Lagos, Abuja, others

President Muhammadu Buhari may impose “isolated lockdown” on some parts of Lagos State.

The order may also affect Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria’s capital.

Others that may be affected are states with relatively high number of coronavirus cases.

They are Kano – 825, FCT – 418, Katsina – 248, Bauchi – 215, Borno -215, Jigawa – 201.

The president is expected to address the nation Monday night, three weeks after his last broadcast.

The Nigerian leader then announced lockdown ease in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States.

Buhari will give an update on the country’s battle against coronavirus and also announce additional measures/directives on containment.

On Monday, a federal government source hinted DAILY POST about the “isolated lockdown.’

He stated that the lockdown will not be lifted fully as daily number of cases were still high.

The source added that a total lockdown won’t be effected either considering that citizens need to provide for themselves and dependents.

“The expectation is that Mr. President will declare isolated lockdown in areas reported to have more cases. It is very likely, but it would be in States and Areas with more cases of COVID-19,” he said.

Number one on the list is Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial center.

Between Monday, April 27 – the day Buhari eased the lockdown – and now, the cases in Lagos has tripled.

As at the last presidential broadcast, Lagos had about 800.

But by Sunday, May 17, Lagos’ toll had hit 2,550.

Last week, the state announced that Lagos Mainland Local Government had the highest positive cases.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, made this public.

He listed other Local Governments highly affected as Alimosho, Oshodi, Mushin, Ikeja, Kosofe and Isolo.

However, the Buhari administration is yet to implement its much talked-about direct Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) to Nigerians.

The government continues to drag foot on the palliative, with no specific timeframe on when citizens will be paid.

Nigeria has recorded 5959 positive cases and 182 deaths since the index case on February 27.