As Covid-19 spreads faster in Nigeria, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) nationwide to ensure that all social restriction orders given in pursuant to the containment efforts of the Covid-19 are strictly enforced within their areas of jurisdiction.
He gave the directive in a statement signed by the Force Spokesman, Frank Mba, in Abuja on Sunday.
It will be recalled that, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC), disclosed Sunday afternoon that the cases of Covid-19 in Nigeria has risen to 30.
On Sunday, March 22, 2020, alone, eight new cases were confirmed in Nigeria.
Nigeria has, however, not recorded any death as a result of the Covid-19.
In a statement on its website, the Centre said: “On March 22, 2020, 8 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Nigeria
“Till date, 30 cases have been confirmed, 2 cases have been discharged and there has been no death from COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“Of the new cases, 6 are in Lagos State and 1 in Oyo State and 1 in F.C.T
“A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities.”
The IGP however appealed to citizens to voluntarily adhere to the social restriction orders without necessarily being forced to do so.
He further warned against unnecessary arrests and detention of suspects.
The detention of suspects, the IGP explained, must be reduced to the barest minimum and that only very serious cases such as terrorism, armed robbery, homicide and other non-bailable offences should warrant detention.
The IGP further directed that adequate measures be emplaced to screen persons to be committed into police custody.
He cautioned against unnecessary social visits to police stations and other police offices and minimize official visits, except where absolutely necessary.
The statement further disclosed that the IGP has ordered Command CPs across the country to immediately publicize phone numbers of their Command Control Rooms, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and other Tactical Commanders using the conventional and non- conventional media in order to facilitate alternative interacting and reporting options between the Public and the Police
“Also, in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive that all tertiary institutions be shut, the IGP has ordered the immediate closure of the Nigeria Police Academy as well as all Police Primary and Secondary Schools nationwide,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the Force Medical Services has been empowered and directed to step up sensitization programmes across Commands, Formations and Barracks in the country.