COVID-19: Ogun Shuts Interstate, International Borders

Rasaq AbdulKareem/

Starting from midnight on Sunday, Ogun, Nigeria’s gateway state will shut its borders for two weeks to curb the spread of #COVID-19, says a statement by the government.

The interstate border closure which extends to the international border with the Republic of Benin would be in force for two weeks in the first instance.

With this restriction order, movement in and out of the state is thus banned as a further measure to contain the corona virus pandemic.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abeokuta by Kunle Somorin, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the state is constrained to effect border closure in order to stem and flatten the curve of the spread of the dreaded corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic, not only in the state but in the country and in the West African sub-region.

The statement says, “The position of Ogun State is peculiar. It not only shares an international border with the Republic of Benin, it does so with all other states in the South West (except Ekiti), including Lagos State, which has understandably recorded the highest number of infections in the country largely because it hosts the busiest air and sea ports and it’s the nation’s economic capital.

“The border closure will not only be beneficial to Ogun State but the national efforts to curtail and contain the virus. Lessons from other climes strongly indicate that closure of borders has the potential to drastically flatten the curve of spread whilst unrestricted movement portends grave dangers.”

The only exceptions to the interstate restrictions are vehicles conveying personnel involved in essential services such as security agencies, health workers, food and medical items and petroleum products.

The government enjoined citizens to fully cooperate with the security agencies who have been fully briefed and directed to effect the closure, noting that at this period of a global pandemic and national emergency all hands must be on deck to slow down the spread of COVID-19.

The border closure and other measures will be reviewed from time to time, in response to developments as they unfold, says the statement.

0