The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 11, Mallam Bashir Makama, has pointed out why officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force also need personal protective gears as the battle against the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic continues in the country.
He submitted that security agents are directly dealing with different residents of Nigeria on the country’s roads and in communities, hence the need for them to be protected against COVID-19 one way or the other.
Makama said: “So far, we have provided them with nose covers.
“We will still do more because they are out there and they must be protected.”
AIG Makama, who covers Oyo, Osun and Ondo States, also said the role of policemen is essential just like that of health care workers and the media in the course of curbing the spread of the deadly disease.
The AIG made these submissions while featuring on a popular radio magazine programme, Parrot Xtra Hour on Radio, aired on Space 90.1FM in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Makama reiterated that the major responsibility of the police as far as COVID-19 is concerned is to ensure compliance with measures and directives put in place to contain the spread of the deadly virus and ensure that the citizens are free from infection.
He said: “Policemen are also very critical and should be considered as frontline workers in the battle against the spread of COVID-19.
“They are specifically there to enforce the different levels of lockdown laws imposed by different states of the federation.
“Our men are all over the place to work with health workers to ensure there is peace and orderliness even at sample collection centres, hospitals and other points where patients are being evacuated and treated.”
Speaking on the conduct of some police officers while enforcing lockdown laws and curfew in different states, AIG Makama disclosed that there will always be bad ones among police officers, just like there are in other professions.
He said: “These officers and men are the ones who allow people to cross inter-state borders, allow people to move around when there is curfew.
“They should be reported.
“And we will deal with them.
“Coronavirus’ spread must be contained.
“We all need to cooperate.