Famously boisterous Nigerian mega-city Lagos adjusts to coronavirus lockdown

By Angela Ukomadu
LAGOS, March 27 (Reuters) - Fear of the coronavirus has
induced an extraordinary calm in Lagos, Nigeria's famously
boisterous mega-city where streets known for miles of gridlock
have emptied of traffic and eateries serving takeaways are
almost the only shops open.
The largest city in sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 20
million population, has been transformed by a week-long shutdown
of public life imposed as part of efforts to stem the spread of
the highly infectious disease in Nigeria.
The lockdown order by Lagos State Governor Babajide
Sanwo-Olu applies to all non-essential shops - those not selling
food, water or medicine - in the sprawling market megalopolis
near Nigeria's Atlantic Ocean coast.
He also banned gatherings of over 25 people and told
everyone to stay home with the majority of Nigeria's confirmed
cases - 44 out of 65 - surfacing in Lagos and the state's health
minister warning that the coronavirus is spreading.
As the lockdown began, most residents were compliant but
afraid - both of getting sick and of losing much-needed income.
"I believe some of our traders will be stubborn or so
because most of them do not have (food) to eat at home," said
Fatai Adedabo, head of Computer Village, a collective market
selling electronic accessories and offering phone repairs.
"We still have to monitor them and make sure the market is
shut down totally."
Adedabo was not alone in worrying that poverty could hinder
containment of the respiratory pandemic, which has infected more
than 531,600 people worldwide and killed more than 24,000.
Sanwu-Olu conceded that a 100% lockdown was not possible due
to the large numbers of Lagos residents who could not afford to
stockpile essentials. Nigeria's Senate president said on
Thursday authorities needed to help shield the poor from
suffering the most on account of blanket closures.
Out of sight of police and yellow-vested enforcement
officers patrolling Computer Village, some phone repairman
expressed frustration with the shutdown and told Reuters they
would continue to seek new clients.
But by mid-morning on Friday, the first full day of the
lockdown, most in the typically teeming and exuberant city
appeared to be soberly accepting the closure.
Crowds that usually throng the roads were replaced by people
walking in pairs, or alone, and the ubiquitous yellow "danfo"
buses that are usually packed to the brim carried just a few
customers.
As people adjusted under the careful watch of police, many
agreed the effort to contain the coronavirus was necessary.
"It will not be easy for us as human beings because this is
where we make our money, this is where we make our daily bread,"
said Olugbenga Bright, a phone repairman with a wife and
children to support. "So we need money, fine, but above all our
lives - our safety is the priority."