Lockdown: Ogun residents in last minute panic buying



Following the federal government’s restriction on movement order on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun states, residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital have flooded major markets in the city in last minute panic buying.
Although, the stay at home order would be effective from 11pm on Monday, residents in there hundreds besieged major markets like Kuto, Lafenwa, Omida and Olomore, among others to stock their homes with essential commodities like food stuffs, toiletries, among others.


When Blueprint moved around Abeokuta Metropolis, residents were seen in their large numbers at markets.
This maybe as a result of government’s payment of March salary to the State workers.
Following this development, prices of food stuffs have sky rocketed increasing the hardships of the people.


Investigations by Blueprint revealed that the price of one module of beans that sold for N450 is now sold for N650 while a bag of sachet water popularly known as “pure water” that was sold for N100 is now N140.
Banks were not spared as hundreds of customers stormed branches of Commercial banks in Abeokuta for one form of transaction or the other.
A resident, Yemi Adekoya, who spoke to Blueprint, said she was not leaving anything to chance.”


She said, “I have gone to my bank to withdraw the little change I have there. Me and family are going to stay at home until this thing (Coronavirus) is over. I will only go if it is compulsory for me to do so.
“I have stock my house with food stuffs to will last me for few weeks. I pray that this thing does not go beyond two weeks otherwise, we are all in trouble,” Adekoya said.


Another resident, Kola Ogunlaja who spoke to Blueprint condemned the Federal government for not giving them enough days as prior notice to get themselves prepared.
Ogunlaja, a Civil Servant, said to order on restriction of movement was too sudden and appealed for the government to give them few days to prepare well for the lockdown.

Leave a Reply