COVID-19 : Ekiti govt deploys security agencies to enforce compliance on closure of markets
From Priscilla Ofunre, Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti State government, has, as part of the urgent measures to enforce
compliance with Fayemi’s order on closure of markets and shops to curb the spread of Coronavirus, combined forces of security agencies have been deployed in the Ado-Ekiti Metropolis.
The security agencies, comprising soldiers, police and operatives of the
Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed around 5.20pm on Thursday after the Ultimatum given by Fayemi, had elapsed.
Governor Fayemi, had on Thursday issued a directive that all shops and
major markets like the popular Oja Oba, Irona Market, Basiri market and
others be closed down effective 5pm on Thursday.
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The Governor, however, exempted sellers of drugs, food items and other
essential commodities from the order.
The heavily deployed security agencies immediately took over areas like
Atikankan, Irona, Okeyinmi, Ijigbo and the Oja Oba market to enforce the
order, which made the sellers to scamper for safety.
They were seen in large number at all the areas where there were large
concentration of market stalls.
The action was more terrific at Atikankan where many Hausa sellers with
large concentration were displaying their trades.
When called for confirmation, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti
Command, Mr. Sunday Abutu, said the security agencies must support the
government to ensure that every action taken is enforced to guarantee
safety of all citizens.
“Since the issue of Coronavirus started, the police as an institution have
been working with other stakeholders to make sure that the lives of the
citizens are protected and that we will continue to do.”
Concerning the upsurge of robbery at some sections of Ado-Ekiti, especially
at Emirin Estate and Tenibegiloju along Polytechnic road, Abutu said the
police have mapped out strategies to tame the attendant crimes that could
accompany the stay at home order.
“We know that the stay at home order will lead to increased crimes and we
have stepped up our night patrol across all divisions.
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“We are also putting in place other security measures to ensure that the
lives and property of our people are safe with the situation caused by
Coronavirus.
“We are appealing to our people to shun vices and cooperate with police
through useful information, because all our divisions have been mandated to work hard this time to make Ekiti a no-go-area for criminals”, he said.
