Date: April 18, 2020

As the total lockdown in Kano state enters second day, the Centre for Information Technology and Development has continued to monitor the situation in the state; how people are complying with orders and how secure the state borders are. As we all know it is only when every entry and exit point is secured can we defeat this deadly virus that is on the rise everyday and threatening our existence.

Yesterday we issued a situation report on the level of compliance of the lockdown directives given by the state government. To our total dismay, many people chose to ignored the directive and continue with their normal activities, including observing of Friday prayers in some mosques despite the threat this virus is posing to us. It should a matter of concern to all sensible persons the rate at which the number of cases being confirmed in the state is increasing on daily basis since the first recorded case. As at yesterday, the State has 27 confirmed cases including the co-chair of the task force committee on Covid19 in the state and one fatality. This is a state in which one week ago, there wasn’t a single active case. The challenge of the state has been compounded by the fact that some members of the State Taskforce have tested positive and therefore now inactive as most of them are in isolation or self-quarantine. This means that effectively there is no leadership to coordinate the efforts of the Government in responding to the challenges of the COVD 19.

The essence of imposing lockdown is to stop all movements of people including coming and going out of the state in order to stop the spread of the virus, but most importantly is stop people from entering the state from other states especially the states that are already battling with the disease.

However, reports reaching us from our partners and observers in the state indicate that still the state’s borders are so porous with little presence of security personnel which allows people to enter the state from many directions.

Despite the lockdown and the earlier order given to stop inter-state movements, travelers are still entering the state through Rano local government using a feeder road from Kwanar Dangora, Gwangwan town then to Rano town. To avoid being noticed, sometimes they follow push paths that link them to the feeder roads to Rano and pass through Rano town. Similarly, the Zakirai-Ringim border which links to Taura, Kafin Hausa, Auyo and Hadejia is also still accessible by motorists with little hindrance. Most of the travelers according to our sources are Okada Riders who are returning from Abuja, Lagos, and Shagamu. These are areas where the virus is already widely spread and the fear is that unless effective measure immediately taken, the importation of the virus will be in the increase and since these are not people will self-isolate, they would become the sources of community infections which is much more difficult to deal with.

While we commend the efforts of state government and security personnel and acknowledged the complications of these borders, we maintain that securing the borders is the best way to stop more importation of the virus into the state. It is on this note that we strongly call on the Kano State Government to as matter of urgency to ensure that border patrol is not limited to highway only. Feeder roads, including footpaths around border towns and villages,  should also be included to prevent people from bypassing authorities; adequate measures such as proper monitoring on the state’s borders to stop entering the state from any border are put in place; religious leaders fully comply with government orders and punish anyone found misleading the public. All intercepted travelers should promptly handed to the NCDC for compulsory isolation and quarantine period of two weeks after which these who tested negative can be released to continue their journey to their destination.

Ali Sabo

Campaigns and Communication Officer

Issued on 17^th of April, 2020

Since the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus in the world and most especially when Nigeria recorded its first confirmed case of the virus in Lagos, the Centre for Information Technology and Development has been following the incident closely calling the attention of government both at federal and states level to prepare adequate measures and to have a proper plans on how to tackle the virus and what it might come with. At the same time, CITAD has been feeding the general public with information about safety measures and the need to follow the advices given by World Health Organization (W.H.O) which include sharing of infographics on social media and bi-weekly twitter chat with health professionals.

As one of the best way to prevent the spread of coronavirus among people as advised by professionals, any place where there is confirmed case of the virus, total lockdown of the city is usually impose as we have seen in many cities in the world. Similarly, Kano state government on the 14^th of April, 2020 after having five confirmed cases in the state announced the total lockdown of the city to begin by 10pm on the 16^th of April, 2020. Many people especially those that survive on daily hustle criticized the decision citing example that their lives depend on daily hustle to feed themselves and their family which the state government has not announce any alternative for them despite many calls from concerned citizens to introduce palliatives that will cushion the suffering of this class of people. However, still the decision to lockdown the city is the best the state government can take.

Consequently, as the lockdown began, many people were left stranded including the securities agencies who are saddle with responsibilities to ensure the total compliance of the order due to closing of all activities in the city including essential services. Reports reaching us and testimonies from some of the security agents on duty confirmed that the security personnel on duty are finding it difficult if not impossible to find what they will eat, the water they will drink and other needs as the state government did not announce a clear road map on how the lockdown would be. As we are all aware, all over the world where this kind of order is being imposed some exceptions are being made in order to allow people to access basic needs.

It is on this regard that we are appealing to the Kano state government to:

1. Design a clear road map on how the lockdown is going to continue in the state
2. Allow some essentials services like pharmacies, restaurants, water vendors etc. as this will allow even the security agents to access these services while on duty especially food and water

• Allow bakeries to continue operating in the state

1. Allow Yan garuwa to continue operating within their areas of resident due to lack of tap water in many of the areas in the city