Kano State Governor , Umar Ganduje, has called for compliance with the lockdown in the state two days after asking the Federal Government to ease the restriction .
Buhari in a nationwide broadcast on Monday ordered a total lockdown in the state as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 disease .
But Ganduje asked the Federal Government to ease the 14- day total lockdown on Thursday, saying it would result in economic hardship in the state.
The governor's appeal , however , led to an outrage on social media, with many commentators asking him to prioritise the health of residents.
On Friday, Kano recorded 92 new cases – the highest daily figure to be reported in any state in Nigeria within 24 hours.
After the new cases recorded on Friday, the governor in a series of tweets on Saturday said the lockdown was necessary to curb the spread of the virus .
He also urged residents to obey the lockdown order and maintain social distancing.
He tweeted , “ We ’ re working fast to deal with the spread of #COVID 19 in our great state with the conversion of some intensive facilities in the state to isolation centres . The Abubakar Imam Urology Hospital, Murtala Muhammed Library Complex , Hospitality and Tourism Institute formerly Daula Hotel.
“ Sports Institute at Karfi and the Nigerian Air Force Hospital will now house carriers of the pandemic going forward . The Murtala Muhammad Library Complex is expected to accommodate over 200 beds and also an estimated 300 beds will be provided at Karfi Sports Institute.
“ I reiterate my plea for all Kano citizens to adhere to the lockdown rule . We need to slow down the virus and this is only possible with social distancing. Please stay in your homes. ”
With the 92 new coronavirus cases recorded on Friday, confirmed infections in Kano have increased to 311.
Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’ s website showed that Kano has recorded no recovery since Nigeria reported its first COVID - 19 case on February 27.
The breakdown of the cases recorded by states showed that Kano has recorded the second -highest number of infections with 311 cases in Nigeria .
Lagos has the highest number of infections with 1, 006 cases and Abuja third with 214 cases .
Cases in Lagos , Kano , and Abuja constitute over 70 per cent of the total cases recorded in Nigeria , The PUNCH reports.
A further breakdown of the data revealed that Kano is the COVID -19 worst -hit state in the northern part of Nigeria .