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Sokoto State government has declared overnight curfew in the state between the hours of 8 pm and 6 am, effective from today, Monday, May 4.
Out of the 2,558 total COVID-19 cases recorded in Nigeria as at Sunday, May 3, Sokoto accounts for 66 and is now the ninth state with the highest number of confirmed cases of the virus, after three weeks of recording its index case.
In view of this, the state governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, speaking in a special broadcast on Monday, announced that the curfew was part of new measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 in the state.
Tambuwal stated: “As the challenge is persisting and the indices worrisome, more and more measures have been taken at the federal and state levels of government to prevent the worst scenario.
“You may recall that on Monday, April 27, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the nation and in it declared further measures in response to the spread of COVID-19 in our country.
“This is the very dangerous stage of community transmission, which we are sadly going through.
“The federal government has also banned inter-state movement.
“The order reinforces the existing closure of our borders and boundaries, the compulsory wearing of face masks by the general public and the nationwide curfew declared by the President.
” Pursuant to the presidential directive it is hereby directed that effective Monday May 4, 2020, curfew is hereby imposed from 8p.m. to 6a.m. daily.”
Personnel and staff involved in the provision of essential services as well as public and civil servants on grade level 13 and above, who are not covered by the existing stay at home order, were however excluded.
He further stated: “This is in addition to already existing measures declared by the state government.
Governor Tambuwal said the decision was in the interest of the people’s well-being in the state, while urging them to persevere, stating that his government was not insensitive to the difficulties the measure may cause on them.
He further pleaded with the citizens to be law abiding and cooperate and adhere to all measures being put in place for the protection of lives during the pandemic. Adding that protective practices such as hand washing with soap or sanitisers and social distancing should be observed strictly.
Speaking further, he appealed for support from the federal government in fighting the disease in his state.
Tambuwal stated: “Due to the rising statistics in Sokoto State, I wish to appeal to Mr President and the the Presidential Task force on COVID-19 to intervene in our state, through the provision of logistics and technical support, with a view to stemming the disturbing trend.”
He expressed sympathy to bereaved families of victims who lost their lives to the virus in the state and prayed for continuous protection against the deadly pandemic.
