Nigeria govt closes Lagos, Abuja airports over coronavirus fears

The Federal government on Saturday announced the closure of the two most busy international airports in the country in Lagos and Abuja.

The Federal Government announced that the closure of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja would take effect from Monday, March 23, 2020.

The government had earlier shut three other international gateways into the country namely Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt just before the confirmation of 10 new cases of COVID-19 disease, also known as Coronavirus.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Musa Nuhu, who added, that the closure of international flight operations at the Lagos and Abuja airports are in addition to the three other international airports in Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt shut for flight operations on Saturday.

According to Nuhu, the closure would last through April 23, adding that emergency and essential flights could be operated from any of the airports within the period.

Read also: Nigeria records 10 new cases of Coronavirus; 3 in Abuja, 7 in Lagos totaling 22

He however explained that domestic flight operations would continue normally in all airports in the country.

He said: “Further to our earlier letter on the restriction of international flights into Nigeria, we wish to inform you that effective Monday, 23rd March at 2300Z to 23rd April at 2300Z, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos (DNMM) and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja (DNAA) will be closed to all international flights.

“This is in addition to the closure of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (DNKN); Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu (DNEN); and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa (DNPO) effective Saturday, 21 March at 2300Z.

“Henceforth, all airports in Nigeria are closed to all incoming international flights with the exception of emergency and essential flights.

“Domestic flights will continue normal operations at all airports.”

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