Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States are officially on lockdown with soldiers, anti-riot policemen and paramilitary officials stationed at strategic locations to enforce President Muhammadu Buhari’s order which went into effect at 11pm on Monday. During the next fourteen days in two of Nigeria’s most critical cities, there will be restriction of movement, business activities will be at an all-time low and such traditional activities as going to school, hanging out with friends at a local bar, weddings, religious activities and meetings amongst residents, professionals and political groups will not be contemplated.
Shutting down major cities and locking up business premises is such a heavy price to pay under any circumstance but there is a reasonable justification this time. Human lives are at stake and thousands may die unless something as drastic as a total lockdown is implemented. Interestingly, Nigeria is not the first country to lock down its most important cities in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19. Italy, the US, France, Spain and several countries in Europe and across the world have been on lockdown since mid-February. Cities like New York, Milan, Washington and Rome have been running at less than 5% of their capacities in the last one month. Governments all over the world are prioritising human lives over wealth and economic freedom. There is a global consensus that wealth is nothing without the human beings to manage and enjoy it.
What everyone of us affected by the lockdown must bear in mind is that this is for the greater good. The inconveniences imposed on our way of life by the lockdown are acknowledged but even so, at a moment like this, the truth of life as the ultimate treasure must be recognized by all. When this is all over, we shall again sit together to talk about how we survived, how we overcame and shall document for posterity, the measures we undertook to survive.
Of course, it is taken for granted that everyone must make a regular habit of constantly washing his or her hands for at least 20 seconds with soap in running water. Avoid handshakes and close body contacts, do not touch your face, don’t pick your nose and do not put your hand in your mouth. Also use disinfectants regularly at home to clean and wash surfaces you touch often.
This is not a time to take anything for granted. If you feel unwell, avoid self-medication and quickly see a doctor. Call the NCDC hotlines if you observe certain symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and consistently high fever. Listen to the radio and pay attention to the experts. This is not a time for rumour-mongering. Fact is: no effective cure has been found; everything you hear is currently a speculation until the experts tell us otherwise. We all have to be careful especially now that the government has stepped in to confine us to our homes.
In Nigeria, things always turn out differently and if you have been around for a while, you can make a few predictions when things like this happen. I will share a few to guide you as we begin the lockdown even as we continue to pray for divine assistance and wisdom for our scientists and researchers.
Hike in the prices of goods and services: Already the cost of garri (a common food in Nigeria) has tripled in the south-east and south-south regions. Right now, a measure of the commodity which sold for N600 around this time last week now sells for N2000 and above. So many Shylock traders are convinced that the world is coming to an end and they must enrich themselves as quickly as possible before the Trumpet sounds. It is greed and it is unfortunate so many Nigerians always exploit tragedies such as this to suffocate others.
Also yesterday, Okada riders in the satellite towns of Abuja, the few that remained raised their fares and for trips that cost N50 earlier in the day, you may now have to pay anything from N200 and above. There were too many passengers on the streets yesterday hurrying to stock up food items or conclude last-minute deals. The motorcyclists were simply the kings of the road within Abuja satellite communities. You either pay what you are told or watch them move to the next eager customer. Those on essential services who are exempted from the lockdown will have plenty of difficulties getting to their stations in the days ahead.
Clashes between security agents and citizens: You will find more than a few overzealous security operatives harassing essential service workers during this period. They will intimidate them into paying bribes, refusing to allow them passage through the barricades until they pay. Many would have no difficulty paying. For a few however, everything must go to the wires and in the likely melee that would ensue, other frustrated Nigerians will join in attacking whoever they can. Everyone must be careful.
Starvation: Will government make good its promise to support vulnerable families and communities? That is open to speculation. What is however certain is that this period will be very tough for families whose breadwinners survive on the strength of their brow, whose daily income depend on how much energy they are able to exert on the field each day. How would the labourer, the bus conductor, the bricklayer and the itinerant service agents who dispose refuse, repair footwear and offer pedicure and manicure services along the streets survive? How about their families? The fear for many is that hunger may be more devastating for this category of Nigerians than coronavirus.
Bribery: Things will go fairly smoothly in the next few days but over time, businesses and those bored to death by the lockdown will begin to test the will of the security operatives. Some businesses will open for skeletal services and when the security operatives come around, they are likely to be taken to a corner and given some money to look away. In time these security agents will begin to see this as a veritable source of augmenting their special duty allowance.
Another avenue of corruption that I can foresee is in the allocation of the food support promised by the government. Provisions will certainly not be enough and what happens next: only those who can pay a bribe to the officials in charge will get something.
Stealing, riots and sense of apocalypse: When things get extreme desperate people will begin to take desperate measures including stealing, breaking into homes, food shops and wherever they feel they can get something to stave off hunger for the moment. Many will take the streets in absolute defiance of the sit-at-home directives and those who have been cheated in the bribe-for food scandal will take their anger to the public square. It won’t be easy and for many, a foretaste of apocalypse beckons.
How can danger be averted?
What can be done to avert the looming danger? Number one, the government must be sincere in the distribution of the announced palliative measures, A proper identification of the vulnerable families and those likely to be worst hit by this measure must be undertaken and supplies to them begin at once. The government must avoid any delay as no one can expect to reasonably calm or control an angry mass of people. Secondly, Nigerians must be kind to their neighbours. Share what you have and refuse to be greedy. Everyone needs to survive at this point and if you have to cut down on your family ration to assist a neighbour in need, please do that. Thirdly, the security operatives must avoid whatever will expose them to allegations of bribery. They must show understanding and respect every Nigerian. It must be made known that the world is facing a pandemic and the recent measures put in place are for our wellbeing. This is not a time to be careless.
