…Aside from ID cards, show document to prove you’re on duty – Lagos Police
Joy Anyim
The Lagos State Police Command has denied reports making the rounds alleging its operatives harassed a medical doctor in the state.
Reacting to the claim by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos Branch, the Command, in a statement, on Wednesday, said operatives only intercepted a doctor who was carrying three persons in his vehicle.
The statement signed by Command spokesperson, Elkana Bala, said the medical doctor, who is serving in another state but on annual leave, in Lagos State, was going on a private mission with the passengers in his car.
While also revealing that a Police Inspector was arrested with two passengers in his vehicle going on a private assignment in total violation of the restriction order, the Command reiterated its commitment to sustaining the Federal Government’s lockdown directive aimed to stop the spread of Coronavirus.
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According to the statement, persons on essential duties, exempted from the lockdown, would henceforth, aside from showing their identity cards, show documents to prove they are on duty.
The statement reads, “The attention of Lagos State Police Command is drawn to a statement credited to Nigeria Medical Association, Lagos State, accusing the Police of restricting the movement of its members.
“This is completely false and misleading. It is on record that the restriction of movement order that took effect from Monday, March 30, 2020, does not apply to hospitals and all related medical establishments as well as organisations in health care-related manufacturing and distribution.
“Commercial establishments such as food processing, distribution and retail companies; petroleum distribution and retail entities; power generation, transmission and distribution companies; and private security companies are also exempted.
“Workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff, who can prove they are unable to work from home are also exempted.
“Banks are allowed to render skeletal services. Although these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored.
“Personnel deployed for the enforcement exercise were fully briefed by the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu.
“Every Police Station was issued copies of the Presidential detectives and extant laws for guidance. The CP charged Police officers to be professional.
“He urged them to carry out their assignment with compassion and respect the rights of citizens.
“The Commissioner of Police personally went round to monitor compliance across the state. Reports received from Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Officers from the field shows a high level of compliance.
“Few cases recorded have to do with some individuals intercepted on the roads who claimed to fall under the categories of persons exempted but turned out to be false.
“Some could not provide any means of identification while others who actually belong to the professions mentioned were hiding under the cover to carry out their private businesses.
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“An example is a medical doctor serving in another state but on annual leave in Lagos State, intercepted with three other passengers in his car going on private mission.
“A Police Inspector was also arrested with two passengers in his vehicle going on a private assignment in total violation of the restriction order.
“It is pertinent to state that the exemption given to certain categories of persons is not absolute.
“The order states that, ‘Although these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored’.
“To ensure that persons who are not on essential duties are restricted, the Command insists that apart from occupational ID Card, there must also be a document to prove that the person is on duty.”
The Command further appreciated the daunting task ahead of all who are on the frontlines in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic, especially medical and health workers, saying the relationship between the Police and other professional bodies especially the NMA remains cordial.
“There is no time that we need each other than now. The nation depend so much on us in a time like this, ” it added.
