The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu had ordered his Assistant Inspector General of Police and Commissioners of police across the country to ensure they enforce the use of face masks in public places assigned by President Buhari. The IGP made this known through the spokesperson of the Force Headquarter yesterday, Frank Mba.
Last week, President Buhari signed a COVID-19 Health Protection bill 2021 which make the use of face mask in public places as compulsory to ensure the spread of the pandemic is reduced to the barest minimum.
Section 4 of the Quarantine Act, Cap Q2 law of the Federation of Nigeria 2010 has conferred the President with such powers.
Part one of the regulation deals with restrictions on gatherings; it stipulates that all gatherings, a physical distance of at least two meters shall be maintained at all times amongst people in a place.
While part two of the regulation spelled out that no person without a facemask shall be allowed within premises of public places be it market, restaurant, recreational centers, and other related places.
However, only those wearing face-covering that coves their mouth and nose, and also wash their hands with a hand sanitizer approved by National Agency for Food, Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and their body temperature thoroughly are exempted from such law.
According to the law, persons with a body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius shall be denied entry to the places mentioned above.
Meanwhile, the police boss urged his officers to apply caution while dealing with the General public to avoid a breach of their fundamental human rights.
The directive partly reads; “The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered the Assistant Inspectors General of Police in the seventeen (17) zonal commands and their constituent Commissioners of Police in the thirty-six (36) States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to carry out full enforcement of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Health Protection Regulations 2021 signed into law by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on 26th January 2021.
“They are to ensure full compliance with the Regulations in their respective Areas of Responsibilities (AoR).
The statement added while “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.
“The IGP further cautions officers enforcing the regulations to show tact, compassion, and empathy with the citizens. He reiterates that the officers must be firm and professional and at the same time remain polite, civil and respect the fundamental rights of the citizens,” the statement read.
