There was unrest in the Alimosho and Ifako- Ijaiye Local Government Areas of Lagos State as hoodlums took to the heavily residential areas to rob citizens and loot shops in the local markets .
This happened as the 14 – day lockdown order of the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) to curb the spread of COVID- 19 enters day 12 .
The PUNCH gathered that the Jankara market in the Ifako Ijaiye Local Government was looted by the hoodlums .
News correspondent also gathered that residents of Meiran and Agbado witnessed the presence of the hoodlums , who carted away prized items .
Confirming the incident , Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana , told our correspondent over the phone that arrest is being made in respect to the crime.
He said some of the locations where the incident happened fall under the jurisdiction of the Ogun State Police Command but the Lagos State Police Command has deployed its officers to the affected areas .
He said , “ Those social miscreants create a scene and pretend to fight each other but we have deployed our officers round to deal with them.
“ A lot of arrests has been made and I will give more update as soon as I get further reports .
“ We are working with Ogun State Police Command on that and operations is ongoing .
“ Some of the affected areas fall under Ogun and Lagos but we are working with the Ogun Division already because crime has no boundary . ”
The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ), commended the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 , led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Boss Mustapha .
Buhari said this in a tweet, following a State House meeting with some of the members of the task force over the national response on COVID- 19 , particularly lockdown order in Lagos , Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory.
The President , who had, on March 29 , ordered the lockdown for an initial period of 14 days , did not provide any indication on whether or not the lockdown would be extended .
THE Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has cautioned state governors against relaxing the lockdown order declared in the wake of novel coronavirus in the country.
The NMA, in a statement , signed by its president, Dr. Francis Faduyile and Secretary-General,Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, respectively said its attention “has drawn to some isolated statements negating the established measure of preventing COVID-19- social distancing; and orders by some state governors authorising the mass observance of Jumat prayers and Easter Sunday services.”
“We, therefore, pray all authorities concerned to rescind their decision in the interest of the safety of lives and implore the Nigerian Police force and other security agencies ensure that such gatherings do not take place,” it appealed in the statement.
The statement read in full:”The attention of the Nigerian Medical Association has been drawn to some isolated statements negating the established measure of preventing COVID-19- social distancing; and orders by some state governors authorising the mass observance of Jumat prayers and Easter Sunday services.
“Of particular concern are: The declaration by the Cross River State Governor that social distancing is not needed while wearing a face mask;
“A moratorium on the lockdown to allow mass gathering in mosques and churches starting from Friday to Sunday in Rivers state;
“The lifting of the ban on Friday prayers by Katsina and Kogi States government.
“We are aware that similar orders have also been given in Ondo, Ebonyi and Imo states which have approved mass attendance of Easter services.
“While appreciating the prime place of religion in our national lives and especially the value Christians place on Easter, we place on record that there is now the evidence of community transmission of COVID-19. As such, relaxing any guideline that promotes mass gatherings in any part of our nation now can only heighten and not flatten the curve of transmission dynamics.
“We, therefore, pray all authorities concerned to rescind their decision in the interest of the safety of lives and implore the Nigerian Police force and other security agencies to ensure that such gatherings do not take place.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was recovering in a hospital ward after ending three days in intensive care for COVID- 19 , as his government urged Britons to stay at home over Easter.
The 55 – year- old leader left intensive care at London ’ s St Thomas’ Hospital on Thursday evening and will now be monitored closely during what Downing Street called “ the early phase of his recovery” .
“ He is in extremely good spirits , ” a No . 10 spokesman said .
Johnson ’ s improving condition came as the government continues to impose an unprecedented nationwide lockdown to try to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus .
It announced another 881 deaths on Thursday , taking the UK total to 7 , 978 , with more than 65 , 000 cases so far confirmed .
That is thought to reflect only a fraction of the actual number of people infected .
Despite the grim tolls , there were indications the stringent social distancing regime introduced on March 23 could be starting to have a positive impact .
“ We are beginning to see the benefits of this social distancing , ” said Stephen Powis , medical director of England ’ s state – run National Health Service .
“ We do believe the virus is spreading less , ” he told the BBC.
But Powis stressed it was “ critical ” that people keep obeying the social distancing measures over the long Easter weekend, when fine weather in forecast .
“ It’ s still too early to really be confident that we are turning the corner, ” he added .
“ We need to completely and utterly make sure that we all comply with the instructions we have been given. ”
The Federal Government has yet to take a decision to provide free electricity supply to Nigerians for two months, the Minister of Power , Mr Saleh Mamman , has said .
The minister ’ s statement comes after power distribution companies said that the two – month free electricity which they announced on Wednesday would be paid for by the National Assembly and the Federal Government.
Mamman , in a tweet , said , “ No decision has been taken by the Federal Government to provide Nigerians with free electricity for two months.
“ If and when that becomes a reality, it shall be announced officially. Be rest assured that the Federal Government is exploring ways to ameliorate any hardship on Nigerians . ”
The Discos had announced on Wednesday that they were in support of the proposal by the National Assembly and the Federal Executive arm of government that Nigerians should get two months of free electricity .
Speaking through their umbrella body , the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors , the Discos stated that modalities for the free electricity would be worked on and made public in due course .
The Discos, however , clarified on Thursday that electricity would be paid for by the Federal Government in partnership with the National Assembly .
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has expressed disbelief and lamented the current state of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.
Mr Boss Mustapha who serves as the chairman of the presidential task force on COVID-19 made this known in a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly .
“I can tell you for sure, I never knew that our entire healthcare infrastructure was in the state in which it is. Until I was appointed to do this work,”. Mr Mustapha admitted
The SGF said if advanced countries are overwhelmed and struggling to contain the COVID-19 virus, “then Nigeria needs to improve its own”. He added, “My prayer is that Nigeria’s situation does not escalate to that extent because the country lacked what is required to handle the situation.”
He also spoke on the need for accountability in managing the health crisis. According to Mr Mustapha, the task force will not be directly involved in the disbursement of cash donations for COVID-19.
“The accountant-general of the federation has already published the account details for collection through some commercial banks and also provided the modalities for its utilisation,” he said
The SGF also said the COVID-19 pandemic had provided an opportunity to carry out reforms and ensure more funding for the country’s health system.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has expressed disbelief and lamented the current state of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.
Mr Boss Mustapha who serves as the chairman of the presidential task force on COVID-19 made this known in a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly .
“I can tell you for sure, I never knew that our entire healthcare infrastructure was in the state in which it is. Until I was appointed to do this work,”. Mr Mustapha admitted
The SGF said if advanced countries are overwhelmed and struggling to contain the COVID-19 virus, “then Nigeria needs to improve its own”. He added, “My prayer is that Nigeria’s situation does not escalate to that extent because the country lacked what is required to handle the situation.”
He also spoke on the need for accountability in managing the health crisis. According to Mr Mustapha, the task force will not be directly involved in the disbursement of cash donations for COVID-19.
“The accountant-general of the federation has already published the account details for collection through some commercial banks and also provided the modalities for its utilisation,” he said
The SGF also said the COVID-19 pandemic had provided an opportunity to carry out reforms and ensure more funding for the country’s health system.
Power distribution companies said that the two – month free electricity to customers announced on Wednesday would be paid for by the National Assembly and the Federal Government.
Speaking through their umbrella body , the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors , the power firms said they were aligning with the National Assembly and Federal Government’ s efforts to provide free electricity for two months as a palliative for the effects of the COVID- 19 pandemic on Nigerian electricity consumers .
The Executive Director and spokesperson for ANED , Sunday Oduntan, said , “ The energy to be supplied for the two months is not free from the Discos but is being paid for by the Federal Government in partnership with the National Assembly .
“ As such, the ability for the Discos to go forward is subject to the stimulus package being passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by Mr President .
“ While this palliative seeks to mitigate the economic challenges that Nigerians are being subjected to during this COVID- 19 period , it is our hope that we not lose sight of the no -cost reflective tariff challenges that the Discos continue to suffer under . ”
He said the power firms lauded the President , members of his government and the National Assembly for the initiative .
Oduntan said the clarification was due to questions that had arisen around how the cost would be absorbed by the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry .
Asked when customers would start enjoying the free electricity , Oduntan said , “ Not known until the National Assembly finish their discussion with the Federal Government. ”
The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ), will today ( Friday) meet with the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 over the lockdown imposed on the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states .
The PUNCH gathered that the task force would brief the President on the war against COVID – 19 and the possibility of extending the two – week lockdown in the FCT, Ogun and Lagos states as well as including other parts of the country.
But at a meeting with the National Assembly leaders , the task force said it had gathered data to enforce “ lockdown of parts or all of the states ” in the country .
One of the officials, who confirmed the President ’ s meeting with the task force , told one of news correspondents that reports and recommendations were still being awaited from some state governors .
He said , “ The President was supposed to be briefed this evening ( Thursday evening) , but we had to delay because we are waiting for reports and recommendations from some affected states . All things being equal , the President will be briefed on Friday and will take necessary actions. ”
When asked if the President would extend the lockdown , the source said , “ During the announcement some 10 days ago , the President made it clear that the lockdown would be for an initial period of 14 days.
“ What this means is that there is a likelihood of extension , but it will be done only after due consultation with the states . ”
However , a senior official of an isolation centre in Abuja told one of our correspondents that a recommendation had been made for an extension.
The source said the move had become necessary because of a suspected community spread.
The doctor , who wished to remain anonymous, said some persons , who tested positive for coronavirus , had not travelled before .
He said , “We in the FCT have recommended an extension of the lockdown because we believe we are now facing a community spread. For instance , one of the people who tested positive is a cook that has never travelled before .
“ The cook ’ s boss recently returned from outside the country, but the boss tested negative . So , where did the cook get it from ? We are also working on a report by the World Health Organisation that COVID- 19 can be spread through currency .
“ We have submitted our report to the case management team, which will in turn submit a report to the emergency operational committee for final submission to the presidential task force . However , we did not state in the report how many days should be added to the lockdown . We don ’ t know if our recommendation will be accepted . ”
It was also gathered that the lockdown might be extended to all parts of the country to enable health workers conduct more tests and fish out people who had contracted the virus .
“ More states are recording COVID- 19 cases. We may also consider the possibility of making the lockdown nationwide , at least for a week. We cannot rule out the fact that there is COVID- 19 in states that have not recorded any case , ” another official told newsmen .
The President , had in a nationwide broadcast on March 29 , ordered lockdown of the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states for two weeks beginning from 11 pm on March 30 .
According to him , the lockdown will enable government to trace and treat those who have contracted the virus .
More than a week that the lockdown began in Lagos State and the FCT, COVID- 19 cases in the country has jumped from 111 to 290 , with the virus spreading to 16 states .
The states are Lagos , Oyo , Osun , Ogun, Kaduna , Enugu , Edo, Delta , Bauchi , Ekiti , Rivers, Benue , Akwa Ibom , Ondo , Kwara, and Katsina .
Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 in Lagos on Tuesday said before the end of this week, it would submit its report to Buhari , who would decide on the lockdown .
Besides the FCT, Lagos , and Ogun states where the President had ordered lockdown , some states including Osun , Kwara , Plateau and Rivers had also taken a similar action .
We have collected data for possible lockdown in all states – PTF
During the meeting with the National Assembly leaders , the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force , Boss Mustapha , said the PTF had collected necessary data on measures including lockdown in all states .
He stated, “ There is acquisition of intelligence data to guide implementation of control measures such as may emanate from restrictions and or lockdowns of parts or all of the states . ”
The PTF chairman noted that Nigeria had increased the number of molecular laboratories from five to nine , which would rise to 11 on Friday (today ).
Mustapha said there was mobilisation of resources at the states and local government areas in preparation for the possible spread of the coronavirus to communities .
According to him , strategies adopted by the PTF in conjunction with the states , include testing , detection , isolation , contact tracing and management .
Mustapha also said , “For transparency and accountability, the PTF will not be directly involved in the collection and disbursement of the cash donations for COVID- 19 . The Accountant General of the Federation has already published the account details for collection through some commercial banks and also provided the modalities for its utilisation . All the main COVID- 19 accounts shall be domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria . However , all non – cash donations shall be duly received by the PTF, acknowledged , documented and appropriately deployed .
“ The COVID- 19 pandemic has stolen both our health and our wealth . The impact of this is not only on the national economy , but on the poor , the aged , the sick and the vulnerable . Out of concern for these categories of persons , the President has approved a stimulus of over N 500 bn and the employment of 774 , 000 Nigerians . ”
The President of the Senate, Lawan , advised the PTF to work on the harmonisation of the funds contributed by organisations and individuals to combat the coronavirus , noting that there must be an effective service delivery to Nigerians .
Lawan said that there was no coordination of donations among ministries, agencies and private entities . He urged the task force to work on the aggregation of donations .
Bauchi State Governor , Bala Mohammed , has tested negative for coronavirus , according to reports .
The governor, who had tested positive for the virus on March 24 , said via his Twitter handle that he now tests negative for the virus .
He said he just received his second negative test result while appreciating those who supported him with prayers during the intervening period .
He also appreciated the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control as well as religious leaders within and outside the state .
He wrote , “ Alhamdulillah . I just received the green light . My second test for # COVID 19 returned negative . I thank you all for your prayers & support even while I was in isolation . Most importantly , all the praises & thanks be to Allah – the Most Beneficent , the Most Merciful . # GreaterBauchi
“ My gratitude also goes to our religious leaders within and outside the state for their constant prayers, also our meticulous Bauchi # COVID ー19 team and the NCDC. ”
LatestNewsUpdates 