Enforcement Of Restriction Orders: IGP Cautions Against Trampling On Citizens’ Rights

– Orders tight security around vulnerable targets

The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has
cautioned officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force currently deployed for
the enforcement of the lockdown and social restriction orders to ensure that
the rights of Nigerians are not infringed upon under any pretext. Also, persons
on essential duties, duly exempted from the restriction orders, should be
accorded due courtesies and unfettered access to and fro their places of duty.

The IGP notes that the global community is now in
extra-ordinary times, with the lockdown taking its tolls on every component of
our national life. Therefore, all police officers deployed for the enforcement
of these restriction orders must be professional, humane and tactful and must
show utmost respect to the citizenry. To this end, the IGP has directed Command
Commissioners of Police to immediately commence conduct monitoring of Police
Officers deployed on enforcement duties in their areas of responsibilities.

The IGP has equally charged Zonal Assistant Inspectors
General of Police (AIGs) across the nation to ensure adequate supervision of
personnel under their watch, as well as due compliance with the Standard
Operating Procedure guiding this special task. The AIGs and CPs are also to
ensure robust anti-crime patrols and surveillance around vulnerable targets
such as medical facilities, shops and markets, residential areas, financial
institutions and Automated Teller Machines (ATM) points, amongst others so that
criminals do not take undue advantage of the current COVID-19 challenge to
perpetrate crimes against the citizenry.

Meanwhile, the IGP has expressed profound gratitude to
Nigerians for their resilience and voluntary compliance with the social
restriction orders and cooperation with the Police at all times. He urges
citizens to continue to observe all precautionary measures issued by relevant
health authorities in order for the nation to defeat this pandemic.