The Oyo State COVID-19 Security and Enforcement sub-committee has reportedly impounded 22 vehicles during its special night operations.
The operation was aimed at enforcing compliance at club houses and public places in Ibadan, the state capital.
The Executive Chairman, OYRTMA, Dr Akin Fagbemi, while addressing members of the task force before the operation, charged them to be professional in their approach.
Fagbemi said the team should respect the citizens’ fundamental human rights in the course of the operation.
He said, “The Oyo State COVID-19 Security and Enforcement subcommittee is made up of Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency and other security agencies and we have begun a special night monitoring and enforcement of state government’s directive aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus among residents of the state, particularly through transport operators, night clubs and other public places.”
Earlier, Fagbemi distributed protective tools such as hand gloves, sanitizers, nose masks and thermometers to the officers for self protection during patrol.
Oyo State has recorded more confirmed cases of COVID-19 with several suspected cases being traced, particularly in Ibadan, the state capital.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who is currently self isolating for COVID-19, had a ordered a dusk to dawn curfew in the state while transportation in and out of the state had been suspended from Sunday night.
The governor had directed that public gatherings should not be more than 10 persons.
While dispersing cluster of persons at club houses, the Special anti-COVID-19 squad urged residents to comply with the state government’s directives on social distancing, regular washing of hands and other precautions.
Club houses that were visited included Platinum, Awolowo Road; Hexagon, Samonda; Pleasure Summit, GRA; Cimola Hotel, Mokola; Latitude, Samonda; Mauve 21, Ring Road; Ventura, Sango and Shanty’s club, among others.
OYRTMA said it had deployed over 200 men into the COVID-19 Taskforce Health Advisory Sub-committee to embark on public enlightenment in markets and public places within Ibadan.
The COVID 19 campaign in the state is tagged, ‘break in the chain of transmission campaign on COVID-19.’

By Wale Oyewale