…Cautions officers to respect the rights of citizens while urging voluntary compliance

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, has ordered the Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the seventeen zonal commands and their constituent Commissioners of Police in the thirty-six states of the Federation and the FCT, Abuja, to carry out full enforcement of the Coronavirus Disease Health Protection Regulations 2021 signed into law by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, on 26th January 2021.

The IGP gave the order following the directives by the President as contained in the Coronavirus Disease Health Protection Regulations 2021 which mandates the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies of Government to ensure full enforcement of the Regulations in public places – places of worship, workplace, and schools, banks, public transport vehicles, hostels, boarding houses, detention centers.

They are also to ensure general restrictions on gatherings as well as the use of face masks.

The IGP, while noting that the uncertainty and risks engendered by the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic have placed additional responsibilities on the general public, calls on citizens to voluntarily comply with the provisions of the Regulations for the safety of all.

He further cautions officers enforcing the Regulations to show tact, compassion, and empathy with the citizens while reiterating that the officers must be firm and professional and at the same time remain polite, civil, and respect the fundamental rights of the citizens.