The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the commencement of evacuation of its citizens from Nigeria.
This is happening after Germany, Israel, and France evacuated their nationals following the rising cases of coronavirus disease in the country.
The Embassy confirmed the development Monday night on its official Twitter handle, @US Mission Nigeria.
It said multiple emergency flights departing from Lagos and Abuja had been confirmed for this week.
The mission asked Americans booked for the flight not to come to the airport until they had been contacted by officials.
The Twitter post read, “The US Consulate in Lagos has confirmed multiple emergency flights for this week departing from Lagos and Abuja. Please do not come to the airport until we have contacted you directly. Please shelter in place and await further information.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has extended federal guidelines on social distancing until April 30 after a top health official warned that between 100,000 to 200,000 people could die from coronavirus in the United States.
The US has 139,000 confirmed infections, more than any other country in the world.
Worldwide, the total number of infections recorded since the beginning of the outbreak reached more than 770,000. Some 160,000 people have recovered globally while nearly 37,000 have died.
Following the violation of the market closure order, the Rivers State Government also imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on Obiri-Ikwerre Junction (Ozuoba, Rumualogu) to Choba and from Education Bus Stop to Agip Junction.
The governor also suspended the council chairman of Obio Akpo Local Government Area and his deputy over failures to comply with earlier restrictions announced by the state government.
The State Security Council reached the decision after it monitored compliance with the State Government’s directive, the governor said.
The Rivers Governor charged Traditional Rulers, Youth Leaders and Community Development Committees to ensure that all beer Parlours remain closed.
“Let me reiterate that this government will continue to do what is right no matter who is involved. As you are all aware, no conventional war has grounded global life and economy like coronavirus has done.
“Everybody is affected. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to defeat coronavirus. I want to sincerely express my heartfelt gratitude to our health professionals on the frontline of this fight. Let me also thank all the security agencies, individuals and organisations who are collaborating with us to make Rivers State safe.
“With effect from Tuesday March 31, 2020 there will be a dusk to dawn curfew from Obiri-Ikwerre Junction( Ozuoba, Rumualogu) to Choba and from Education Bus Stop to Agip Junction, Ikwerre Road.
“All beer parlours and public drinking joints are hereby closed because they have suddenly become an extension of night clubs that were earlier shut down.
“Any beer parlour or public drinking joint found to be open shall be acquired by the State Government.
“All landlords are advised to warn their tenants who use their property as beer parlours or public drinking joints to adhere to this directive.
“Traditional Rulers, Youth Leaders and Community Development Committees are to ensure that beer parlours and public drinking joints in their areas remain closed.
“Any Traditional Ruler who allows markets to be open in his domain will be deposed.
“Government is investigating the illegal operation of markets at night at Woji and Elelenwo Communities. Further violation by residents of these two communities will attract declaration of curfew,” he said
