What Lockdown Extension May Do To Nigeria – Arewa Youths Tell Buhari

The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, has faulted the 14-day lockdown extension declared by President Muhbammadu Buhari.

AYCF President-General, Yerima Shettima said the extension declared by the president may lead to a collapse of the country because Nigerians are hungry.

Recall that Buhari had three weeks ago ordered a two-week lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States in a bid to tackle the spread of COVID-19.

At the expiration of the two weeks, Buhari in a nationwide address had on Monday extended the lockdown by another two weeks.

However, Shettima stated that the extension has compounded the hunger crisis in Nigeria.

In a chat with us, Shettima said:

“Even before the coming of COVID-19, hunger was already catching up with almost everybody in the country so with this lockdown the trouble has been compounded.

”Now when Buhari extended the lockdown by another 14 days, I began to worry, my worry is that the whole essence of this lockdown which was to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among Nigerians may be defeated.

”The government needs to put in place serious palliative measures because people can no longer be caged”.

“You can see that the announcement by the government restricting movement is almost being defeated as the crime rate is getting higher by the day and I don’t see them doing any magic other than deceiving people with the charade they call palliatives which is not going down to anybody.

Let me tell you, I see more trouble coming and I hope it will not collapse the system because it’s shaky and the centre can’t hold anymore, so I’m worried.”