The Federal Government has announced that it is still on the trail of 4,370 people of interest over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
This was disclosed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed during a press briefing in Abuja to give an update on the current situation with the coronavirus.
The Federal Government expressed regrets that most of the travellers who came back into the country, submitted wrong addresses and denied the rumour that has been flying around that President Muhammadu Buhari is sick and has been coughing.
He said the President is fit and fully in charge of the country. He pointed out that the government was worried that some of the returnees submitted wrong addresses.
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The Minister said, “We have 4,370 people of interest whom we are tracing. We urge those who have had contact with suspected cases to immediately report to the authorities. We urge Nigerians to support the authorities in this regard.
“We are on the verge of reaching the level of community spread. We must stop this immediately or we will record exponential cases in the days ahead. There is no better way to say this.
“Let me say, without mincing words, that we are not getting the kind of cooperation that this moment deserves from Nigerians. Many are busy engaging in meaningless criticisms instead of complying with the stipulated directives to keep people safe.
”Some Nigerians who flew into the country from overseas filled wrong addresses and phone numbers in their forms, making it difficult to trace them when the need arises.
“Some Nigerians defied orders to stay away from large gatherings while some religious leaders willfully flouted the directives to ensure social distancing.
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“The government is doing its best but we need the citizens to do their best too. We have now gone past the stage of persuasion. It’s time for strong enforcement.”
The Minister described the rumour that the President is sick and coughing as fake news.