Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state; has ordered the lock down of
state; to cease all movements for 14 days to prevent coronavirus
disease (COVID-19) from further spreading.
According to him, two cases have been recorded; including an index
case of an aid worked that died last Saturday at University of
Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
Zulum in a statewide broadcast Monday in Maiduguri said: “Fellow
citizens, our index case, as confirmed by Nigeria Centre for Disease
Control (NCDC), have brought to us, a strong and dangerous warning.
“COVID-19 is real and it has reached us in Borno State.”
While announcing the two-week lock down, he said: “In the exercise of
the powers conferred on me, I have signed an executive order,
declaring COVID-19 as a dangerous disease.
“I am directing a total lock down that will see to cessation of all
movements in Borno State for an initial period of 14 days with effect
from Wednesday, April 22, 2020 by 10.30pm.”
While speaking on an index case of aid worker, he said: “Last night,
NCDC confirmed an index case of COVID-19, otherwise known as corona
virus, in our dear state which took the life of one of us.
“Until his unfortunate death, the late health worker dedicated himself
to providing humanitarian healthcare services to fellow citizens that
were critically affected by Boko Haram insurgency.
“Citizens of Borno; will forever be grateful for his services.”
He said all over the globe, health workers are now adored more than
before, adding that they are putting their lives on the line to save
lives.
He also lamented on the manner in which the index COVID-19 case in
state, was handled.
According to him; “We have been confronted with not only losing a
healthcare service provider but also exposing no less than 100 persons
to risk of infection,” noting that it could never have been his will
to expose citizens to the deadly virus; as he worked hard to protect
them.
“I am setting up a panel to investigate circumstances surrounding the
outbreak and handling of the index case in the state,” he said; noting
that with over a decade long insurgency, the coming of COVID-19
amounts to having fresh pepper on fresh wounds.
“Notwithstanding the dangers posed by COVID-19, it has three solutions
and these solutions have the same word: prevention, prevention, and
again, prevention,” he said, stating that and that what the lock down,
is to achieve in two weeks.
