Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has declared a two-week lockdown in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area to allow for testing and contact tracing of the alleged Coronavirus index case announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The governor issued the lockdown order during a news conference, saying that the measure would be total. The restrictions include the movement of persons and vehicles.

The NCDC had on Wednesday at its daily update said the Chief Imam of Kabba, Sheik Ahmad Ejibunu, had tested positive for COVID-19.

A statement from the Government House, which was issued after the announcement, reads: “Following the alleged and controversial COVID-19 index case in Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello has ordered 14 days absolute lockdown of Kabba-Bunu LGA, effective from 12 midnight June 2nd.

“During the lockdown, there shall be no house-to-house movement within the local government area; street movement is completely prohibited within the local government area for the period.

“Palliative should be distributed house-to-house within the local government area.

“Contact tracing should be carried out house-to-house to identify those who might have made contact with the alleged Kogi COVID-19 index persons; the Chief Imam of Kabba and his son, within the local government area.

“The Kogi State incident management team should continue to thoroughly carry out the contact tracing. The contact tracing and enforcement of the lockdown order shall be fully covered by the mainstream media.”

“Health workers who might have made contact with the alleged index case should proceed on self-isolation.

“All security agencies in the state are to enforce total compliance with the lockdown order. All citizens and residents of the state should continue to adhere to the NCDC guideline as the state still remains COVID-19-free.”