COVID-19: We will deal with any officer who compromises ban on interstate movement ― Ondo CP

Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie, on Thursday vowed to deal with any police officer caught compromising the Federal Government directives on the ban on interstate movement.

Tribune Online reports that Adie stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital while addressing Divisional Police Officers whose stations are located in borders communities and others drafted to ensure strict compliance with the Federal Government directives.

He said reports from citizens in border communities on activities of policemen at the borders were becoming worrisome, noting that police had been accused of being responsible for continued interstate movement.

He maintained that the embargo on the interstate movement is still in place but reminded the officers that only workers on essential duties such as medical personnel, journalists and others are exempted.

Adie said: “Our personnel are compromising at our various interstate boundary points, because of this, persons who are not supposed to be crisscrossing the state are getting through.

“We will not condone any of such act. Members of the public are the ones reporting because they are experiencing it and it must stop. It is your responsibility as Divisional Police Officers to ensure this is stopped.

“We must monitor and keep talking to the rank and file. They must be firm in the discharge of their duties. They must be firm in the implementation of ban on interstate movement. We must implement it. It is your responsibility to monitor them.”

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The CP who distributed over 2000 face masks to policemen across the state warned against abuse of citizens in an attempt to enforce COVID-19 lockdown.

He said his men manning the borders should be supplied with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.

“These 2,000 pieces of face masks are distributed to enable you to perform your duties at this critical period.

“I want to also appeal to the citizens that as they are giving out palliatives, they should not think that police personnel don’t need palliatives especially the PPE, face mask, hand gloves and sanitisers and other body wears.”