The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Umar Muri, has revealed that at least 165 persons were arrested for violating the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state to curtail the spread of coronavirus.
The commissioner also stated that in collaboration with other security agencies, no fewer than 205 vehicles and tricycles were impounded during the 24-hour-curfew.
Muri said this in a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, in Kaduna on Monday.
Kaduna State had imposed a 24-hour curfew as part of measures to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the state.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, announced the imposition of the curfew.
While enforcing the curfew order, the police chief said the command had continued to closely monitor compliance of the executive orders.
The CP noted that in carrying out the enforcement order, “The operatives of the command in collaboration with other security agencies have in the course of enforcement, arrested 165 people and impounded 205 motor vehicles/tricycles, including the two clerics who violated the curfew and social distancing order.”
He added that those arrested were currently being interrogated at the command’s Criminal Investigation Department.
Muri said those arrested, including two Muslim clerics, would be prosecuted on the completion of investigation in accordance with the relevant laws of the land.
The police boss, therefore, enjoined residents to be law-abiding, observe the safety tips and continue to comply with the curfew and the social distancing orders aimed at enhancing public safety and public health in our dear state.
The CP, however, warned violators of the government orders to desist or face the wrath of the law as the “command will not hesitate to be decisive on any person or group of persons who become hell-bent at bending these restriction orders in accordance with the law.”
The statement read in part, “Following the imposition of 24-hour curfew by the Kaduna State Government on the 27th March 2020 and the initial social distancing order by the federal and state governments to curtail the spread of the deadly COVID-19, the Kaduna Police Command in collaboration with other sister agencies has put in place a robust enforcement strategy which has recorded significant success in terms of securing compliance from the civil population through community engagement.
“The Command has continued to enforce and closely monitor compliance of the executive orders with a view to ensuring the success of the government efforts geared towards curbing the contagious COVID-19 as well as enhancing public safety and public health accordingly.”
