Only Buhari can determine extension of lockdown – Boss Mustapha

Boss Mustapha
Boss Mustapha

Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, has said that only President Muhammadu Buhari could decide if the lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over the coronavirus would be extended or not.

Buhari had pronounced a 14-day lockdown in the three locations effective from March 30 to check the spread of the disease which has so far affected 238 persons nationwide.

Speaking on Tuesday in Lagos, Mustapha said only the president had the power to grant extension or not, but noted that Buhari did say the lockdown would be for 14 days in the first instance.

He said the presidential taskforce had come to Lagos for an evaluation of the situation and would report back to the president.

“It is only Buhari who can say that the lockdown will be extended or not. He did say during his address that Lagos, Ogun and FCT would be shutdown for 14 days in the first instance,” said Mustapha.

According to the SGF, if the objectives of the lockdown had been achieved, the presidential task force would report back to Buhari for him to take the necessary action whether to extend the lockdown or not, saying that would be done before the end of the week.