Residents of Jos and other parts of Plateau state have deserted the streets as fumigation of the entire seventeen council areas of the state commenced on Friday.

The fumigation exercise which targets all public places such as markets, Streets, Office Premises, among others, was part of efforts by the government to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Governor Simon Lalong had earlier ordered a week-long total lockdown of the state effective from Thursday midnight.

Our Correspondent who monitored the situation on Friday observed that major roads and streets in Jos and Bukuru metropolis were blocked with stones and used tires by security operatives who were deployed to enforce the lockdown order.

The residents said they were trapped in their homes in compliance with the lockdown order with many of them complaining of hunger and hardship due to the lockdown.

But Governor Simon Lalong who defied the rains to flag -off the fumigation exercise at the Terminus Roundabout in Jos on Friday told the residents to be patient with the situation.

He said the government was doing everything possible to enable them to resume their normal life.

Lalong said:

“These are difficult and unusual times for not only Plateau State, but also the world at large.

“Ordinarily, we should not be doing an event like this on a Good Friday, but the times warrant this and we continue to appeal for the patience and understanding of our citizens.

“In addition to the fumigation, the lockdown will also help us reduce any tendency for inter-State transfer of the disease and enable us respond appropriately to any suspected case and contact tracing.”

The Governor appealed to the Christians and Muslims to use the occasion of Easter to pray to God for mercy and remove the coronavirus.

Lalong who also said that he was not unmindful of the difficulty being faced by the people promised that his administration will soon roll out palliative measures to assist the weak and vulnerable in the state.

He added:

“We do not want to hear of ugly cases of harsh enforcement

“Let me again appeal to all citizens to abide by the lockdown directive in order to make the work of law enforcement officers easier.”