LAGOS/ABUJA 30 Mar (ANA) - Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday ordered the "cessation of all movements" for two weeks in the largest city Lagos and capital Abuja to stop the spread of coronavirus.

"All citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes" starting from 2200 GMT on Monday, Buhari announced in a televised address to the nation. 

"Travel to or from other states should be postponed. All businesses and offices within these locations should be fully closed during this period."

Buhari said the restrictions -- which also cover Ogun state neighbouring Lagos -- do not apply to hospitals, food shops or petrol stations.

"Although these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored," he added.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation with some 190 million people, has so far registered just 97 confirmed infections and one death from COVID-19, but testing has been limited.

Officials have warned that the country risks seeing an "exponential" rise in cases unless contacts of suspected carriers are tracked down faster. 

Authorities in Lagos, a sprawling megacity of 20 million people, had already closed schools, shut non-food shops and restricted gatherings to limit movement.(ANA) 

FA/ANA/30 March 2020------