IGP Orders Strict Enforcement of Interstate Movement Restriction Orders, Curfew after Weeks of Lapses

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has ordered strict enforcement of interstate movement restriction orders and curfew declared by the federal government to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.

In a statement by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) DCP Frank Mba, on Tuesday, he said the IGP gave the order during a virtual meeting with Zonal Assistant-Inspectors- General of Police and State Commissioners of Police.

“The conference availed the Force leadership the opportunity to engage the strategic managers, assess the security situation in the country, review operational strategies and take decisive measures aimed at evolving customized security solutions to cope with crime trends and other security challenges relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The IGP, while evaluating security reports from various States Commands, charged the Commissioners of Police particularly in States with recent incidents of attacks on communities, to rejig their security architecture to forestall further attacks and keep the communities safe and secure for the citizenry.

“ The IGP also expressed concerns over reports bordering on human rights infractions between the public and personnel of the Force. He therefore, called for mutual respect between the public and members of the Force and charged the Strategic Managers to place more premium on the supervision of police personnel under their watch.

“The virtual conference is the first by the Nigeria Police Force since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country” Mba said.

State Governors across the country have in recent weeks decried the violation of the interstate movement restriction order by Nigerians alleging sabotage by security operatives stationed at states’ boundaries. The violation of the orders the Governors said led to the importation of new coronavirus cases into their states.