Buhari to security agencies: Be civil, harm no Nigerian while enforcing lockdown order

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned security agencies across the country to be civil in enforcing the lockdown order aimed at combating spread of coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, made this known during a live briefing of the task force in Abuja on Friday.

According to him, such measure has become imperative to ensure continued compliance with 14-day lockdown in Lagos, Ogun, Abuja as well as other states also adopting similar directive.

According to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the President’s directive is that security agencies should enforce the lockdown order with discretion but Nigerians should be law-abiding.

He noted the country is presently at a phase where people cannot afford to be inhuman to each other.

He said: “The PTF finds it very necessary to appeal to our law enforcement agencies to deploy tact and caution in the course of enforcing the rules even in the face of provocation.

“We similarly appeal to all Nigerians to be law-abiding, exercise patience and self-restraint. The message from Mr President is that no Nigerian should, on account of these rules, suffer any harm or pains during this period or any other time in our national life.

“To the Nigerian traders and businessmen and women, we appeal for resistance to the urge to hike prices of goods and commodities during this period as our compassionate nature must prevail.”

Mustapha went on to appreciate the efforts of non-governmental organisations as well as civil societies in the battle against COVID-19 in Nigeria.

He added: “I am pleased to inform Nigerians that we made progress in the mobilisation of resources to reinforce our preparedness and implementation arrangements.

“In recognition of the danger to which our frontline health workers are exposed to, government is working with other stakeholders to structure medical and life insurance cover for their protection.

“I, therefore, wish to assure them of our commitment and urge them to put in their utmost best as they battle to save us from this ravaging virus.”