Covid-19: IGP orders AIGs, CPs to enforce social restriction orders, warns against indiscriminate arrests, detention

 In a bid to prevent the spread of  the coronavirus also known as Covid-19 the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has ordered all Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in charge of commands to ensure that all legitimate orders given in pursuant to the containment efforts were strictly enforced within their areas of jurisdiction.This is as the police boss urged reduction of arrests and detention to the barest minimum warning that unnecessary arrests and detention would not be condoned.

According to him, “Only very serious cases such as terrorism, armed robbery, homicide and other non-bailable offences should warrant detention.IGP Adamu, in a press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Frank Mba, Sunday in Abuja, also urged officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to observe personal safety in the course of discharging their duties.

He enjoined members of the public to voluntarily adhere to the social restriction orders imposed by governments at all levels to enable containment of the virus.”The IGP enjoins citizens to avoid social visits to police stations and other police offices and minimize official visits, except where absolutely necessary,” the statement said.Meanwhile, the IGP has ordered command CPs to 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 to the federal government’s directive that all tertiary institutions be shut, the IGP has ordered the closure of the Nigeria Police Academy as well as all Police primary and secondary schools nationwide.The Force spokesman a further stated that the Force medical services has been empowered and directed to step up sensitisation programmes across commands, formations and barracks across the country.

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