Nigeria: Authorities deploy police to tackle lockdown crimewave amid COVID-19 April 13 /update 9

Event

On Monday, April 13, Nigerian authorities reported that they will be deploying extra police units across Lagos and Ogun states in an effort to curb a recent surge in crimes being committed during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown. The states began the lockdown on Monday, March 30, in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus. Since the beginning of the lockdown, police have arrested 191 people in Lagos and Ogun states.

On April 13, President Muhammadu Buhari announced a 14-day extension to ongoing lockdowns in the city of Abuja and Lagos and Ogun states. Authorities confirmed that the extension will commence from 23:59 (local time) on April 13. On Saturday, April 12, President Buhari said in a statement that the lockdown in some states could last indefinitely.

As of Tuesday, April 14, 343 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Nigeria, including ten associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue - throw tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.