Coronavirus: Stay Away From Police Stations, Don’t Make Unnecessary Arrests – IGP Tells Nigerians, Officers

Published: March 23, 2020

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has warned Nigerians to stay away from police stations across Nigeria, unless when absolutely necessary.

IGP Adamu also warned officers to avoid “unnecessary arrests and detention of suspects.”

According to him, only very serious cases such as terrorism, armed robbery, homicide and other non-bailable offences should warrant detention.

Amadu was reacting to the ongoing coronavirus crisis in a statement issued on Sunday by the Force Spokesman, Frank Mba, where he enjoined Nigerians to voluntarily adhere to directives guiding against the spread of the deadly virus in the country.

“The IGP, while urging officers to observe personal safety measures, further directs the Zonal AIGs and Command CPs to ensure that cases of unnecessary arrests and detention of suspects are not condoned.
“He reiterates that detention of suspects must be reduced to the barest minimum and that only very serious cases such as terrorism, armed robbery, homicide and other non-bailable offences should warrant detention.

“The IGP further directs that adequate measures be emplaced to screen persons to be committed into police custody.
“The IGP enjoins citizens to avoid social visits to police stations and other police offices and minimise official visits, except where absolutely necessary.”

Adamu also directed zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and state police commissioners to strictly enforce the directives on social restriction order imposed by the government in their respective jurisdiction.

“Also, in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive that all tertiary institutions be shut, the IGP has ordered the immediate closure of the Nigeria Police Academy as well as all Police Primary and Secondary Schools nationwide.
“The Force Medical Services has been empowered and directed to step up sensitisation programmes across Commands, Formations and Barracks in the country,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, KanyiDaily had reported that the Nigerian Center For Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed that the number of coronavirus cases in the country had hit 30.