THE Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS) has implored the Federal Government to include Oyo among states where it has declared total lockdown as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.
The Federal Government had ordered Lagos and Ogun states as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to go into total lockdown.
MUSCOYS, in a statement signed by its secretary-general, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, on behalf of the chairman, Alhaj Ishaq Kunle Sanni, explained that inclusion of Oyo State would enable the people of the state to stay at home, reduce spread of the infection and keep fatality low.
The community, which commended some of the steps being taken by the Federal Government to curtail the virus, noted that Oyo State presently had the third largest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19-infected persons.
It said the state had at least seven persons that already tested positive and who had interacted with about 85 persons that were still bring traced.
“Oyo State shares close proximity with Lagos State. Ogun State, already included, has recorded only four COVID-19 confirmed cases,” it noted.
It also stated that Oyo State residents deserve to benefit from the Federal Government’s COVID-19 relief programme.
In addition, MUSCOYS commended the steps so far taken by the state governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, but expressed the need for the state government to urgently acquire an accurate and rapid diagnostic kit or meter for detection of COVID-19 in suspected patients.
“Let Governor Seyi Makinde follow the commendable step presently being taken by Lagos State government by procuring disinfecting machines to disinfect our markets, public places and neighbourhoods.
“With the imposition of curfew on residents, let Oyo State government provide succour in form of food and other relief materials at this time as a palliative to the current situation,” the community said.
It urged imams and alfas to, in line with the injunctions of Allah, obey the government and its advisories at all levels.
“This times call for more closeness to our Creator. Only He knows the beginning and end off all things. May He save us from this affliction. Let us seek His forgiveness and ask Him to save us from this scourge. May Almighty Allah accept our supplications and heal the world, Amin,” MUSCOYS added.