Two weeks order to stay at home is unacceptable – AIG

The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police for Zone 9 expressed disapproval of asking residents to observe a two-week stay-at-home period, considering it a punishment for the community.

A statement from the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 9 Command, AIG Echeng Echeng, highlighted the Command’s refusal to tolerate the two-week sit-at-home order issued by Simon Ekpa. The AIG, represented by the zonal Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bruno Iheanetu, expressed that allowing such an order from a non-state actor would imply the failure of the Police.

In an exclusive conversation with Vanguard, the PPRO emphasized that the Police “cannot swallow such an order.” He stated that the Police’s duty is to safeguard lives and property, and they cannot endorse a sit-at-home order imposed by non-state actors, which would require law-abiding citizens to stay indoors for two weeks.

Iheanetu asserted, “Asking citizens to stay at home for two weeks will be a slap on the face of the Nigeria Police. We cannot swallow that. If law-abiding citizens are forced to stay indoors for two weeks, that means the Nigeria Police have failed!”

The PPRO mentioned that the AIG had already convened a meeting with all the Commissioners of Police in the Command to devise strategic approaches in addressing the challenge posed by the sit-at-home order. He assured that significant resources and manpower had been deployed to protect the lives and property of residents.

He further stated, “The AIG has summoned a meeting of all CPs in the zone. Equipment and manpower have been deployed to curb the menace of sit-at-home enforcers and other non-state actors in the zone. The CPs have been handed operational orders on how to checkmate the excesses of these non-state actors. We have identified the black spots, and we have the nipping points. Manpower and heavy equipment have been deployed to man all the black spots.”

The Police spokesperson clarified that the objective of the operational orders was to restrict the movement of non-state actors enforcing sit-at-home orders, as their unhindered movement could lead to violence. Enhanced visibility policing has been implemented in Abia, Imo, and Ebonyi States within Zone 9, with well-armed patrol teams tasked with protecting law-abiding citizens.

The PPRO warned those responsible for the sit-at-home order against infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens, emphasizing that there would be severe consequences for such actions. He also urged parents to advise their children against taking the law into their own hands.

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