IGP Revokes Order On Movement Of Essential Workers

The Inspector-General of Police has rescinded an order restricting the movement of essential workers amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

Earlier on Tuesday, the IGP held a virtual conference, the first of its kind, with “strategic managers” of the police force.

At the end of the meeting, the police decided to implement “strict enforcement of inter-state movement restriction orders” in order to help curb the spread of the virus.

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Essential services can move interstate, “but that should be before 8 pm,” Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, said on Tuesday. “Once it is 8 pm, it is a total lockdown. Whether essential services or not, interstate movement ceases by 8pm

However, the police’s restriction of essential workers went against government policy since lockdown measures were initiated.

In his latest national address, President Muhammadu Buhari announced an overnight curfew but excluded people who offer “essential services”.

Appearing on a Channels television special COVID-19 program on Tuesday, Dr. Alero Roberts, a Public Health Physician noted that Restricting essential workers is a risky business.

“What happens to patients?” She said. “What happens to the lady who goes into labour tonight? Has the Commissioner of Police thought about that?”

As it turned out, she didn’t have to wait long for answers. Minutes later, the IGP put out a statement affirming the need to guarantee the movement of essential workers beyond curfew limitations.