The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) has appealed to Governor Nyesom Wike to relax the restriction on movement after the successful treatment and discharge of two coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Rivers State.

The youth wing of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) said the cheering news of a Rivers free of COVID-19 should spur Wike to relax the lockdown, which was raising the threat of starvation.

President of NYCOP, Theophilus Mbagha, stated this while briefing the factional president of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke, on efforts made by the youths to sensitise Ogoni communities on COVID-19.

Mbagha said following the governor’s broadcast last week confirming zero case of COVID-19 in Rivers, it was important for youths to be very vigilant and cooperative in protecting their communities by identifying cases where symptoms of COVID-19 were manifesting or suspected and report such to appropriate authorities for proper attention.

He expressed hope that with the cheering news, the governor would consider relaxing the lockdown due to concerns that many might die of hunger, if the lockdown continued.

According to him, it will be fruitless to protect the people, particularly the aged who appear to be most vulnerable, from dying of COVID-19 while exposing the younger population to starvation.

A combined team of soldiers, police and civil defence corps has continued to ensure the indefinite lockdown imposed on parts of Port Harcourt by Wike.