Africa ’ s largest city Lagos was deserted after Nigeria locked down its economic hub and shuttered its capital , in the continent ’ s latest effort to brake the juggernaut of coronavirus .

Businesses were closed , markets abandoned and streets empty as the usually chaotic megacity of 20 million , along with the capital Abuja , shuddered to a halt on the first full day of a two – week shutdown .

Police in protective equipment manned checkpoints , trucks carrying non – essential items were turned back and youths were spotted playing football on a usually traffic – clogged highway .

“ It is like putting people in prison, ” said minibus taxi driver Mutiu Adisa .

“ I don ’ t know how people can survive for two weeks without working to make money. ”

Nigeria embarked late Monday on one of Africa’ s most ambitious efforts at social distancing after recording 135 confirmed cases and two deaths .

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Enforcing the stay – at – home order in the overcrowded slums of Lagos will be a mammoth challenge as millions of poor depend on their daily earnings to survive .

Officials insist the draconian measures are needed urgently to ward off an explosion in infections that could easily overwhelm the weak health system in Africa ’ s most populous nation.

“ To reduce the number of people with coronavirus , we know they need to stop movement , ” 60 – year – old engineer Ogun Nubi Victor said .

“ But there is no money for the citizens , people are just sitting at home , with nothing to eat . How do we survive ?”

In an attempt to ease the pain, Lagos state authorities have pledged to supply basic food rations to some 200 , 000 of the city ’ s neediest households.

AFP