Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has ordered complete lockdown of the state from 10pm on Thursday.
The order is coming on the heels of another new case of coronavirus in the state, bringing the number of confirmed cases to four.
The Nation reports that apart from the index case last Saturday, two other cases were recorded on Easter Monday.
Ganduje, who briefed joirnalists after a meeting with Ulamas on Tuesday evening, said the latest confirmed case came as a result of the first batch of 18 persons traced to have had contacts with the index case.
He said when their blood samples were subjected to laboratory test, 17 came out negative while one was found to be positive.
According to Ganduje: “From Thursday 16th April by 10pm Kano is locked down for the benefit of all in the state. All markets are closed and all public gatherings are banned. The lockdown is for 7 days. We then wait and see what will come up. We are hoping that Allah will see us through.”
He urged residents to continue to maintain personal hygiene, social distancing and strictly observe the stay at home order as long as the lockdown lasts.
Ganduje who said he was aware of the inconvenience the lockdown order may cause to residents, insisted that it was the best decision to take to curb the spread of the deadly virus and save lives.
He added that during the lockdown, markets, mosques and other places of worship are expected to close down completely, adding “people are expected to observe Friday prayers in their homes. I am happy that the Ulamas have agreed that Friday prayers will no longer hold in the Mosque for now.”

By Kolade Adeyemi