Following the signing of the COVID-19 Health Protection Bill 2021 by the President, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has given directives to all Assistant Inspector Generals and Police Commissioners to ensure strict compliance with the use of face masks and other COVID-19 precautionary measures.
The president had on January 26, 2021 signed the document in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 4 of the Quarantine Act, Cap. Q2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010.
The Part 1 of the regulation focuses on the mandatory use of face masks along with social distancing of at least 2 meters between people at all gatherings. It also stipulates that gathering in an enclosed space must not be more than 50 people except for religious places in which case the gathering shall not exceed 50% capacity of the space.
The Part 2 of the regulation stipulates that no person, without masks, shall be allowed within the premises of a market, mall, supermarket, shop, restaurants, hotels, event centres, gardens, leisure parks, recreation centres, motor parks, fitness centre or any other similar establishment.
It also states that facilities are to be provided for the washing of hands or application of hand sanitiser approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); and Facilities for checking body temperature are also to be provided and any person found to have a body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius should be denied entry and advised to immediately seek medical attention.
The Regulation further mandates the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies of government to ensure full enforcement of the regulations in public places and prescribed sanctions and punishments (including jail terms and fines) for violators of any of the COVID-19 protocols.
With this mandate, the IGP in a statement released by Frank Mba, the force public relations officer ordered the officers to ensure full enforcement of the Regulations in public places – places of worship, workplace and schools, banks, public transport vehicles, hostels, boarding houses, detention centres, etc – and general restrictions on gatherings as well as the use of face mask.
The IGP calls on citizens to voluntarily comply with the provisions of the Regulations for the safety of all and cautions officers enforcing the Regulations to show tact, compassion and empathy with the citizens.
He reiterates that the officers must be firm and professional and at the same time remain polite, civil and respect the fundamental rights of the citizens.
