'Lagosians do not come out for Easter’
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reminded residents of Lagos, Abuja and Ogun that restrictions put in place by the federal and state governments concerning the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, will remain during the period of Easter.
President Muhammadu Buhari declared a stay-at-home order in the aforementioned states as one in a raft of measures to curb the spread of the pandemic in Africa’s most populous nation.
And as Christians the world over commemorate
the resurrection of Jesus Christ this weekend and all through Monday,
the police force says the ban on religious worship and large gatherings
should still be adhered to in affected cities.
“The Inspector General of Police,
IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has directed the Commissioners of Police in
states where the social restriction orders have been emplaced to
continue with the due enforcement of the orders,” the police announced in a statement, Thursday.
“While felicitating with the Nigerian
Christian community, as Christendom commemorates the crucifixion, death
and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the IGP calls on religious leaders in
Lagos, Ogun and the FCT, as well as other states affected by the
restriction orders to continue to cooperate with relevant government
agencies and use their leadership positions to encourage worshipers to
observe prayers and worship programs in the confines of their homes.
“He notes that the call has become necessary
in order to curtail the community spread of the Covid-19 pandemic which
has immensely challenged humanity across all spheres of life.
“The IGP expresses deep concerns that for
the first time in the annals of our history, circumstances have
compelled us to emplace restrictions on social gatherings, which
inevitably is also affecting religious programs of all faiths.”
The statement further asked Nigerians to see
the restrictions as virtues of Easter which connotes sacrifice,
tolerance, perseverance, love and ultimate triumph.
A rising Covid-19 toll
Nigeria has confirmed 288 cases of the coronavirus disease across 17 states as of April 9, 2020. 51 have made full recoveries and have been discharged. There have been 7 deaths.
Lagos has the highest tally of 158 Covid-19 cases. Abuja comes next with 54 cases.
Here’s the recent breakdown of the figures across the states as published by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC):
- Lagos- 158
- FCT- 54
- Osun- 20
- Edo- 12
- Oyo- 11
- Bauchi- 6
- Akwa Ibom- 5
- Ogun- 4
- Kaduna- 5
- Enugu- 2
- Ekiti- 2
- Rivers-2
- Kwara- 2
- Delta- 2
- Benue- 1
- Ondo- 1
- Katsina-1
'Lagosians do not come out for Easter’
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