This is disclosed in a statement issued to newsmen on Friday in Katsina, by the Director-General Media to Governor Aminu Masari, Alhaji Abdu Labaran.

He said “Governor Masari has written to the Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC), requesting it to restore telephone services in ten of the 17 LGAs affected by the ban, which came into force about four months ago. The affected 10 LGAs are: Kurfi, Dutsinma, Matazu, Musawa, Malumfashi, Dandume, Bakori, Funtua, Kafur and Danja Those not affected by the planned restoration of the services are Faskari, Sabuwa, Batsari, Safana, Kankara, Danmusa and Jibia,”

He recalled that the state government had passed a crime prevention order, which suspended telephone services in 17 local government areas. According to him, the order also prohibited the use of some roads in the affected areas and the transportation of firewood within the state.

“Sale of all categories of animals and the total closure of some major markets in the affected places as well as the sale of motorcycles in the affected markets. The order also had restricted the use of commercial motorcycles and tricycles from 10p.m to 5.30 a.m throughout the state, among others. The decision by the government to suspend the ban in the 10 affected LGAs is as a result of the return to near normalcy. Even as efforts have remained on the front burner to ensure maximum return of peace in every part of the state,” he disclosed.

The Secretary to the State Government Mustapha Inuwa who disclosed that Governor Aminu Masari imposed the lockdown in the local government, said it followed the announcement by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control that some persons in the area tested positive for Coronavirus.

The lockdown will be effective from 7:00 am on Sunday, May 10, 2020. Inuwa urged residents of the area to stay at home as security agents would be deployed to ensure total compliance in order to curtail the spread of virus in the state.

Out of the 34 Local Government Areas of the state, 12 LGAs, Daura, Dutsinma, Katsina, Mani, Safana, Kankia, Matazu, Musawa, Jibia, Batagarawa, Malumfashi and Ingawa are currently under lockdown.

After a closed door meeting held in Kaduna, the  governors said the closure was for 30 days, noting that it had become necessary in order to prevent the spread of the COVID- 19 pandemic in the zone.

Chairman of the forum and Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, read the communique shortly after the closed – door meeting.

Masari said the closure would take effect from Monday, 23rd of March 2020 .