The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, in his national address aimed at curtailing the spread of Covid-19 also known as Coronavirus, on Sunday, March 29, 2020, officially announced a lockdown in Lagos, aogun and FCT, beginning from 11:00P.M on Monday - March 30, 2020.
An announcement that has triggered reactions among Nigerians is actually a step in the right direction, except for the fact that it will leave many Nigerians who depend on daily meagre income for survival, helpless due to the fact that no relief has been provided for the vulnerable population, especially in Abuja.
The business of ensuring that this dreaded disease does spread widely in Nigeria is a matter every Nigerian should not take with levity, within and beyond the 14 days of lockdown.
Before the total lockdown was even announced in Abuja, some unscrupulous uniform men had started random arrest of innocent Nigerians who went about their daily businesses, just to extort money.
- My concern is not only about arrest, because we are used to it in Nigeria, but the major issue is that of how to secure arrested citizens who are free from Covid-19 from those who may have the disease.
As we speak, there is no provision in most of the police stations for proper isolation of suspects, criminals and violators. Most stations do not even have enough space to accommodate a large number of people.
The police authority should be aware that uniform men are not in any way immuned from the deadly disease. So they should be very careful, by way of adherence to precautions, in the course of discharging their duties.
I am calling on them, therefore, device measures to minimize the spread of Covid-19 as they enforce President Buhari's directive. Arrest, if there is need, should be done meticulously and those in custody should be properly isolated.
Covid-19 pandemic calls for sympathy; it is, indeed, a period of sober reflection. I want to appeal that we do not take undue advantage of it because God is watching.
A concerned citizen, Kadiri Abraham, Abuja
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