-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA)- From Mike SOGBOLO:
Personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been deployed to markets, schools, motor parks, churches and mosques, recreation centers and other public facilities across the nation to enforce compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
A statement signed by the spokesman of NSCDC, Sola Odumosu on Friday said the directive was to clampdown on growing infection of COVID-19 in the country.
The statement read in part that the Acting Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kelechi Madu has directed all Zonal commanders and State Commandants to ensure optimal enforcement and general compliance of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Health Protection Regulations 2021 signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in their various commands.
Madu instructed strict adherence to the executive order by the Corps is predicated on the need to preserve the sanctity of life of Nigerians in different parts of the country.
He noted that as a major stakeholder in the provision of security and safety, as well as the preservation of health and wellbeing of Nigerians, all hand must be on deck to support the good intention of government in the face of the widespread and rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria.
Madu charged each state command to internalize the directive by ensuring absolute compliance of all personnel to the COVID-19 protocols in their respective states and zones to keep safe at the frontline while enforcing the guidelines for preventing the spread and containment of the COVID-19 virus.
The Acting CG further directed the stepping up of sensitization and citizen’s enlightenment campaign to encourage adherents to the COVID-19 guidelines to take responsibility in ensuring that they stay safe with their loved ones, warning that the second wave of the pandemic must not be treated with kid gloves but with all sense of responsibility and seriousness.
He lamented that the new variant of the virus has proven to be more deadly and fast becoming widespread in the country due to the indifferent attitude of the people to the scourge.
He stressed that the Corps must join forces with the Federal Government to mitigate and control the COVID-19 pandemic, while directing the composition of a five man monitoring and enforcement team comprising of some carefully selected officers and men to identify key focal areas such as markets, schools, motor parks, churches and mosques, recreation centers and so on.
He warned that any officer caught extorting money from the public will face summary dismissal as the assignment before them is not a means to line their pockets with proceed of corrupt practices.
He ordered that the enforcement teams are to ensure that no person shall be allowed within the premises of all identified focal areas except such person complies with all laid down protocols such as wearing of face covering that covers the nose and mouth, washing of hand using running water or hand sanitizer and temperature check not above 38 degrees Celsius.
Madu, while encouraging the personnel to go about the assignment with new zeal and absolute sense of patriotism, warned them against unnecessary harassment of citizens.
He said: “I enjoined all personnel to put on the toga of civility which the corps is noted for, whilst our watchword “humility and integrity in service delivery” should guide you never to go out of order, rather, be disciplined and professional in your approach, do not molest anyone while discharging your duty and respect their fundamental human rights.”
He however praised the ceaseless effort of all officers and men of the Corps across the country, especially those in the frontline of COVID-19 duty, and encouraged them to continue to give maximum cooperation to their state government while at the same time synergizing with other relevant stakeholders for better performance.
