BREAKING: Lockdown Will Last As Long As Necessary – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says the restriction of movement in several states will remain as long as experts find it necessary.

Buhari had ordered a 14-day lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and the federal capital territory to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Some state governments had also declared curfew to restrict movement of persons and ensure social distancing.

In a statement on Saturday, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, quoted Buhari as saying the lockdown is a major attempt to tackle the spread of COVID-19.

He acknowledged the efforts of Nigerians as well as the sacrifices made during the stay at home period.

“We realize that today, there will be sons and daughters unable to visit their parents, and elders that are isolated from young ones. And there will be those who live day-to-day, eating as they earn, who face real and present suffering,” he said.

“No elected government could ask more of the citizens of the country that elected them than today we ask of you. But we must ask you – once more – to observe restrictions on movement where they are in place, and follow the instructions of our scientists and medical advisers: stay home, wash your hands, save lives.

“The freedoms we ask you to willingly forsake today will only last as long as our scientific advisers declare they are necessary. But they are essential – world over – to halt and defeat the spread of this virus.”

He also spoke about palliatives, asking people to get updates on how to be beneficiaries from the media.