Police officers have been given the mandate to arrest anyone who fails to wear a facemask in public places starting today, 2 February 2021
This mandate is enforced by the protection regulation signed to law by President Muhammadu Buhari on 26 January.
On Tuesday, 26 January the president made wearing of masks mandatory in public places in Nigeria according to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Health Protection Regulations 2021.
The regulation also restricts gatherings in public places – places of worship, workplace and schools, banks, public transport vehicles, hostels, boarding houses, detention centres.
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As a result of this, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has ordered officers to enforce the given directives. Anyone flouting the COVID-19 precautionary regulations can now be arrested and prosecuted in a competent court of law.
The IGP, however, implored officers to be firm and professional while at the same time remaining polite, civil and respectful of the fundamental rights of the citizens.
They should be ready to arrest like 90 percent of Nigerians. Even most of the police officers I see around do not wear masks.
Mask up friends! I heard that they were really arresting people in Lagos yesterday.