Police go tough on violators of public gathering directive in Ekiti

Commence enforcement in Ogun

The Ekiti State Police Command has disclosed that it will begin arresting and prosecuting violators of government’s directive aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 in the state.

Governor Kayode Fayemi had in a statewide broadcast in Ado-Ekiti at the weekend, banned all public gatherings of over 20 persons effective March 20, 2020.

Fayemi had classified public gatherings as worship and prayer services, vigils, house fellowships and NASFAT meetings, burials, weddings, family meetings and parties, political gatherings, as well as rallies, congresses, ward meetings, clubs and bars, among others.He said, “All non-essential services in private and public sectors are encouraged to work from home from Monday, March 23, 2020.

“These include civil and public servants from level 12 officers and below, except essential services like health workers, caregivers, social welfare officers, fire service officers, emergency response officers, journalists and security personnel in public institutions.

In a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sunday Abutu quoted the Commissioner of Police (CP), Azuquo Amba as saying that the police would henceforth arrest and prosecute all violators of the directive.

“This is to inform members of the general public that in line with federal and the state government directives, all public gatherings that exceed 20 people are banned until further notice.

“This is a measure to fight and curtail the outbreak and spread of Coronavirus and as such, the Nigeria Police Force, Ekiti State Command, hereby urge all and sundry to abide by the directive.

“Henceforth, all public gatherings, be they political, social or religious gatherings, night clubs and bars, among others that exceed 20 people are prohibited. Any group or persons who violate the new order shall be arrested and prosecuted,” the statement added.

It also banned the use of primary and secondary school premises for social and religious activities until further notice. Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Foluso Daramola, who announced government’s directive in a statement by Assistant Director of Information, Kunle Adeniyi, said the ban also extended to the use of all school halls in the state.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command has declared its readiness to enforce the directives of the Federal and Ogun State governments on social and religious gatherings to curtail the spread of Coronavirus.

A statement issued yesterday in Abeokuta by the PPRO, Abimbola Oyeyemi, revealed that all the command’s tactical squads, as well as area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) have been activated to ensure full implementation of the order and ensure that the order was fully obeyed.

He said the CP, Kenneth Ebrimson, has appealed to members of the public to steer clear of any social or religious gathering that may exceed 50 people, as the command would arrest and prosecute organisers of such events.