Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Shina Olukolu, on Tuesday, said the police will be embarking on routine visits and patrols to schools, religious, social gatherings to ensure compliance to directives of the state governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, on curbing the spread of coronavirus.
From last Friday to Monday, Makinde has issued series to directives to curtail the spread of COVID-19 to include the closure of all schools, night clubs and limiting gatherings for religious services, weddings, parties, burial ceremonies among other ceremonies to not more than 30 persons.
In a statement issued by Oyo Police Public Relations Officer, Olugbenga Fadeyi, Olukolu said the police was bound to ensure compliance in recognition of the fact that the closure of educational, religious, social institutions was a way to curb the threat to societal coexistence posed by COVID-19.
Olukolu enjoined residents to diligently adhere to instructions by the state government and the police leadership and not push the police and other security agencies to use force to enforce compliance.
“We are all aware of the seriousness of the current developments in all aspects of human endeavour, particularly the social-economic lifestyles of our people.
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“Hence, the advice on the closure of certain economic, religious, social and educational institutions needs to be obeyed without waiting for unnecessary use of force or promptings from any security agencies.
“This will engender the necessary harmony to be able to collectively face the impending, pandemic of coronavirus that is not a respecter of any individual, social status, office or homes.
“Consequently, the security agencies will be embarking on routine visits and patrols to check the level of compliance at all levels as advised,” Olukolu said.
The police further sought the cooperation of the residents with the persons in leadership positions to defeat the coronavirus outbreak, particularly warning against the posting of unfounded stories and spreading of lies, rumours.
“People are therefore enjoined to desist from spreading, damaging rumours, or posting unfounded stories and outright tissues of lies on the social media to prevent panic and disorder while we are all enjoined to co-operate with the government in our collective efforts to defeat the present coronavirus outbreak in our environment,” Olukolu said.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the Oyo House of Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, at Tuesday’s plenary, tasked the state’s lawmakers to embark on sensitization of their constituents on coronavirus over the course of the next weeks.
Pointing to inadequacies of government at various levels to effectively handle an outbreak of the virus, Ogundoyin stressed the need for the Nigerians to be sensitised on preventive measures.
He stressed that the message of social distancing, good hygiene, regular washing of hands, use of sanitisers must be vigorously preached to both rural and city dwellers.
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