By Ademola Adeshina
As part of efforts to curb the spread of the dreaded coronavirus pandemic, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Muhammed Adamu, has enjoined Nigerians to voluntarily adhere to the social restriction orders imposed by governments at all levels, and directs all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police nationwide to ensure that all legitimate orders given in pursuant to the containment efforts are strictly enforced within their areas of jurisdiction.
The IGP, while urging officers to observe personal safety measures, further directs the Zonal AIGs and Command CPs to ensure that cases of unnecessary arrests and detention of suspects are not condoned. He reiterates that detention of suspects 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.
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The IGP further directs that adequate measures be implaced to screen persons to be committed into police custody.
The IGP enjoins citizens to avoid social visits to police stations and other police offices and minimise official visits, except where absolutely necessary. The IGP equally ordered Command CPs 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. Meanwhile, the Force Medical Services has been empowered and directed to step up sensitization programmes across Commands, Formations and Barracks in the country.
