Lagos State Police Command has arrested a Police Inspector and two others for violating the movement restrictions order in the state.
Also, the command denied the allegation by some health workers that they were harassed by security personnel while discharging their duty.
The Command said the only health worker that was questioned, was a medical doctor who was on leave; from another state, but was on personal business with two others.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bala Elkana, said:” The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to a statement credited to Nigeria Medical Association ( NMA) Lagos State, accusing the police of restricting the movement of its members. This is completely false and misleading.
” It is on record that the restriction of movement order that took effect from Monday, March 30, does not apply to hospitals and all related medical establishments as well as organizations in healthcare-related manufacturing and distribution. Commercial establishments such as (a) food processing, distribution, and retail companies; petroleum distribution and retail entities; power generation, transmission, and distribution companies; and private security companies are also exempted. Workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff who can prove they are unable to work from home are also exempted. Banks are allowed to render skeletal services. Although these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored.
“Personnel deployed for the enforcement exercise were fully briefed by the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu. Every police Station was issued copies of the Presidential detectives and extant laws for guidance. The CP charged police officers to be professional. He urged them to carry out their assignment with compassion and respect the rights of citizens.
“The Commissioner of Police personally went round to monitor compliance across the State. Reports received from Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Officers from the field show a high level of compliance. Few cases recorded have to do with some individuals intercepted on the roads who claimed to fall under the categories of persons exempted but turned out to be false. Some could not provide any means of identification while others who actually belong to the professions mentioned were hiding under the cover to carry out their private businesses.
“An example is a medical doctor serving in another state but on annual leave in Lagos State, intercepted with three other passengers in his car going on a private mission. A Police Inspector was also arrested with two passengers in his vehicle going on a private assignment in total violation of the restriction order.
“It is pertinent to state that the exemption given to certain categories of persons is not absolute. The order states that ‘Although these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored’. To ensure that persons who are not on essential duties are restricted, the Command insists that apart from occupational ID Card, there must also be a document to prove that the person is on duty.
” The Command appreciates the daunting task ahead of all of us who are in the front lines in curbing this pandemic, especially our medical and health workers. The relationship between the Police and other professional bodies especially the NMA remains cordial. There is no time that we need each other than now. The nation depends so much on us in a time like this.
