Covid-19: Lagos State Police Command Ready To Face The Next Phase Of Curfew

LUCKY LAWAL

The Lagos State Police Command on Sunday 3rd April, 2020, issued a statement through the office of the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, stating that the Command is fully prepared to enforce the curfew imposed by the Government starting from Monday 4th May, 2020.
According to the report, the 8pm to 6am curfew imposed on residents by the Government will be strictly enforced. The enforcement teams are fully out to apprehend violators and arraign them in Court.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, also used the opportunity to give update on enforcement of the lockdown in Lagos State.
It was stated that during the period of the lockdown, about 2,310 violators were arrested 2,092 vehicles that of which 800 are private vehicles while 1,292 are commercial vehicles. Impounded also are 1,535 motorcycles and 369 tricycles.

Some violators were arrested in clubs, some in parties while some were engaged in group exercise. About 2,185 suspects were charged to Court while 125 suspects, who are mostly minors, were warned and released. The suspects were awarded various degrees of punishments by the Court, ranging from 2 hours to 6 months community services and fines between N5,000.00 and N100,000.00. Some were asked to write undertakings to be of good behaviour.

According to the CP, following the measures put in place by Lagos State Government and Presidential directives on the cessation of movements in Lagos State, both intra and inter states movements, in order to curb the spread of Coronavirus, the Command massively deployed its resources across the State to enforce the lockdown order.
About fourteen identified boundaries with neighbouring states were adequately manned. Tactical units were deployed to reinforce the conventional patrol teams.

The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, deeply appreciated the good 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 spouses and children of Police Officers for enduring the long weeks of absence.
The CP thanked the Government of Lagos State and the Nigeria Police, Force Management Team under the able leadership of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, for their supports to the Command, especially during the total lockdown period.

He said, “It could be recalled that the IGP graciously deployed the Deputy Inspector General of Police, coordinating the South West region and Special Forces from Abuja 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. The presence of the DIG and the Special Forces provided huge succour and reassurance to Lagosians.
The battle again Coronavirus is not over yet. The Command enjoined residents to adhere strictly with the guidelines issued by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Lagos State Government to stop the spread of the virus. The use of face mask is compulsory and social distancing principles must be maintained. Businesses and markets must stick to the opening and closing times allocated in the guidelines. Commercial vehicles operators must not carry passengers more than the number stipulated in the guidelines.”
“The order restricting non essential inter States movements is still in force. And the ban on social and religious gatherings has not been lifted. Schools remain closed until otherwise directed by the Government.”
The CP, who also stated that the Command is fully ready for the next phase of the enforcement, employed the citizens to take responsibility for their safety.
According to him, “We must all take responsibility for our safety and the safety of our communities. Together we can stop the spread of COVID-19”.