The Nigerian Police in Ogun State have been directed to enforce the wearing of face masks to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the State.
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, gave this directive on Wednesday during his familiarisation visit to the Ogun state police headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.
While revealing that COVID-19 is still in existence, Kokumo expressed his strong feelings that Ogun state residents do not believe the disease still exists.
However, the AIG said he observed, on entering the state, that only few people are complying with the COVID-19 by wearing face masks, saying this was against the laid down rules by the Federal Government.
“I observed something while coming in here, I observed that people of Ogun State don’t believe that there is Coronavirus.” Out of every 50, if you make a random sample of 50 to 100, hardly could you see two to three people wearing nose masks. There is a need to enforce this, we must enforce it, still respecting the rights of the citizens.
He continued and said “Of course charity begins at home,” and “I want to advise the management that our policemen here at the headquarters, area commands and divisional headquarters should wear face masks.”
“The Police Community Relation Council (PCRC), road transport unions and other organizations both governmental and nongovernmental here to let this please be your take home,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, Kokumo has charged officers and men of the command to continue being professional, to respect the rights of citizens, to work ethically and to shun corruption.
He warned the corps not to involve themselves in civil cases, saying “this is not supposed to be.”