The Federal Government of Nigeria has suspended passenger train services nationwide as confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) hits 22 with ten new cases confirmed on Saturday by the Federal Ministry of Health.

Also, three airports, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja have been ordered shut effective Monday, March 23.

In a statement signed by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Musa Nuhu, said 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.

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

He noted 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.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on Saturday announced the suspension of passengers’ train services in the country with effect from Monday.

Mr Yakub Mahmood, the NRC Deputy Director Public Relations, made this known on behalf of the Board and Management of the corporation in Lagos. Mahmood said, “this is in view of the report of the already known Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak”.

Mahmood made the management’s position known in a statement entitled: “NRC Stops All Passengers Train Services”.

He said: “The board and management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation have decided to stop all passengers trains operation as from Monday 23rd March 2020. “This is in view of the report of the already known Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.

“Further information on the passengers’ train services will be made available in due cause to our esteemed passengers.”

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