The Kwara state government has warned that henceforth violators of the stay at home and no-movement directives will be prosecuted accordingly.

The State Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi who is also the chairman of the technical committee on COVID-19 dropped this warning at a news briefing in Ilorin the state capital, North Central Nigeria.

Mr Alabi added that all the security agencies have been briefed to arrest and prosecute violators of the directive.

Mr Alabi warned that anyone caught violating these regulations will be prosecuted in the mobile courts and sanctioned accordingly.

“People are to note that convictions at these mobile courts carry the same consequences as other judicial convictions” he warned.

The Deputy Governor lamented that the truth is that the state is in a dire situation.

“Drastic measures, as we have taken, are required to urgently contain the spread of this virus before it kills everyone or brings down human civilisation as it is threatening to do. Our best shot is to stay at home, maintain physical distancing, constantly wash our hands, and practice good coughing or sneezing etiquette, among other safety protocols,” he added.

According to him, the government is very displeased with the reckless violation of the no-movement directive. Going forward, punitive actions shall be taken against anyone who violates the regulations.

“For the avoidance of doubt, all our markets remain open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 12noon for people to restock food and other essentials

“There shall be no vehicular movements of any kind except for those on essential duties and trucks conveying foods and drugs and associated services earlier exempted”. The Deputy Governor warned.

He further emphasized that commercial Motorcycle, popularly known as Okada, tricycle riders (Keke Napep), Taxi, private vehicles and other vehicular movements are disallowed.

He explained further that people are to patronize only markets nearer to their places of residence as movements to the markets shall be by foot.

He added that the state government is working with market leaders to urgently create more neighbourhood markets to further ease people’s access to essential commodities.

“We admit that these measures are truly hard and extraordinary. But they are the only means to flattening the curve of transmission in our state and prevent avoidable deaths and sufferings. The only alternative is to let everyone go about their normal business and let everyone get infected. No responsible government should ever allow that to open”. The Deputy Governor said.

The Deputy Governor commended the health workers for their sacrifices and promised to stand by them to protect them always.

He said that the state government has just received the delivery of consignments of Personal Protective Equipments PPEs which has been distributed across forty-five hospitals.

He, however, urged the general public to give all the necessary support to contain this global pandemic.

The state Commissioner of Police Kayode Egbetokun, who spoke on behalf of the commanders, said the security agencies have so far focused on enforcement of the directive of the government on movement, adding:

“Going forward, anyone who is caught violating the no-movement directive will be arrested and prosecuted in the mobile courts.”

Egbetokun observed that the directives were in the interest of the people and said security agencies would ensure that the directives are implemented to the letter to save lives.

Zainab Sa’id