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…warns citizens on enforcement of curfew
By: Okosun Dennis
Nigerian Police on Sunday announced the arrest of 2,310 violators during the presidential and Lagos State directives on the cessations of movement both intra and inter states.
In addition, 2,092 vehicles, 1,535 motorcycles and 369 tricycles were impounded during the same period of the lockdown.
A breakdown of the impounded vehicles shows that out of the figure, 800 are private vehicles while 1,292 are commercial vehicles. 1,535 motorcycles and 369 tricycles were also impounded.
According to the Lagos State Police spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Bala Elkana in a statement in Lagos said the police is fully ready for the next phase of the enforcement which begins on Monday with the 8pm to 6 am curfew imposed by President Mohammadu Buhari during a nationwide broadcast last week.
It was learnt that to curb the spread of Coronavirus, the Command massively deployed its resources across the State to enforce the lockdown order culminating into the various arrest.
Elkana revealed that during the lockdown, 14 identified boundaries with neighbouring states were adequately manned; tactical units were deployed to reinforce the conventional patrol teams.
Explaining how the violators were arrested, he said “they were arrested in clubs, some organised parties, or engaged in group exercise, adding that of the number, 2,185 suspects were charged to Court while 125 suspects who are mostly minors, but were warned and released.
“The suspects were awarded various degrees of punishments by the Court, ranging from two hours to six months community services and fines between N5,000 and N100,000. Some were asked to write undertakings to be of good conducts/apology letters.
The police authority, however warned that the battle against Coronavirus is not over yet; enjoining residents to adhere strictly to the guidelines issued by the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and Lagos State Government to stop the spread of the virus which include among others the compulsory use of face mask and social distancing principles.
Elkana enjoins Lagosians to obey time allocated for businesses and markets opening and closing times, calling on the Commercial vehicles operators not carry passengers more than the number stipulated in the guidelines.
While reminding the citizens that the order restricting non essential inter States movements was still in force, added that the ban on social and religious gatherings has not been lifted even as public and private Schools remain closed until otherwise directed by the Government.
As the lockdown is gradually been eased, the President during a nationwide broadcast last week imposed 8pm to 6am curfew on residents with effect from Monday, 4 May, 2020. Based on this premise, the Lagos State Police command has reiterated its commitment to strictly enforce the order.
Stating that the enforcement teams are fully out to apprehend violators and arraign them in Court. ‘We must all take responsibility for our safety and the safety of our communities. Together we can stop the spread of COVID-19,” DSP Bala Elkana reiterated.
However, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu has expressed his appreciation to the people of Lagos State for their supports and commends the Officers and Men of the Command for their gallantry, resilience and professionalism in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also appreciated the support of the spouses and children of Police Officers for enduring the long weeks of absence and also the IGP for his prompt response to the call to support the Command at the peak of the tension created as a result of the news mostly circulated on the social media that some faceless criminal gangs were planning to attack some communities in Lagos.
