…Threatens the use of force if the market leaders fail to enforce the rules.
Worried by the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Enugu State, the commissioner of police in the state, CP Ahmed Abdurrahman has engaged the various markets leaders in the state on the need to adhere strictly to the precautionary measures rolled out by the Nigeria Centre for Disease control (NCDC).
At the meeting held at the commands’ headquarters on Thursday 2nd July, the Enugu police Chief told the leaders of the various markets that the meeting is in response to the directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu “to ensure that the directive of the Federal Government on the prevention of COVID-19 are enforced and enforcing these laws won’t be possible without your cooperation,” the CP said, stressing that the rising number of cases calls for “collective responsibility”.
CP Abdurrahman charged the market leaders to discard the narrative by some naysayers as the disease is real and not a gimmick because people are dying as a result of it.
The CP reminded them of the simple protocols of the NCDC like the use of face masks in public places, the washing of hands with soap and running water for at least, 20 seconds and when water isn’t available, you use an alcohol based hand sanitizer and bserving reasonable physical distancing reminding them that “the enforcement of these rules lies on your hands as leaders of the various markets and when that fails, the police will be forced to come and enforce the rule.”
The markets leaders were also charged to ensure that nobody enters the market without wearing face masks and even inside the market, people must wear it and should anyone disobey, they should contact the command immediately.
Some of the leaders in their reaction complained that some highly placed individuals especially, security operatives and politicians find it difficult to obey this simple rule.
Chief Crescent Ugwoke from Coal Camp Enugu advocated for the setting up of mobile courts in the market stressing that when they convict at least one person, it will serve as deterrent to others.
Some of the markets represented at the meeting include; New Artisan, Old Artisan, Ahia-Nine, Afor Awkunanaw Garriki, Ogbete, New Haven, Garriki livestock, Kenyatta, Coal camp and Garriki.
