COVID-19: Police Arrest 243 Protocols Violators In Lagos-CP Odumosu•••Says Most Night Clubs Are Operating Illegally -

By DAPO FALADE

A total number of 237 people were arrested during a raid on some night clubs and six others in Lagos State, on Friday, for allegedly violating the protocols put in place to checkmate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, made the disclosure during a press briefing, held at the state Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, to give an update on the enforcement of COVID-19 protocols in the state.

This was as he alleged that most of the night clubs are operating illegally in the state as, according to him, most of the club houses were not initially built and approved by the Lagos State government to be used for such purpose.

Parading the alleged violators during the briefing, Odumosu said 237 of them were arrested at two night clubs on Bode Thomas Street, Surulere and Victoria Island, while six others were arrested for violating the 12 midnight to 4am curfew imposed by the Federal Government

“On Friday, 8 January, 2021, during a night operation, that was coordinated and commanded by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, the Command pounced on some deviant night clubs where 237 violators were arrested.

“The clubs raided included Lounge 38, Bode Thomas Surulere (85 suspects) and Club Victoria’s, VI, (152 suspects), while six were arrested for violating the Federal Government-imposed 12 midnight to 4am curfew in the state. In total, 243 violators were arrested and are being paraded today.

“Generally, it has been observed that many Lagosians have disregard for compliance with COVID-19 protocols across the state which has been so worrisome due to the consequences of such lackadaisical attitudes on our health status and the spread of the rampaging pandemic in the Lagos State.

See also PRESS RELEASE Conduct credible, unbiased LG election, Makinde charges OYSIEC …inaugurates commission *'I won't interfere with your activities' Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, inaugurated the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), charging its members to deliver credible, free and fair local government election in the state. The governor stated that the commission, headed by Mr. Isiaka Olagunju, has been saddled with the responsibility of overseeing an election, which outcome will reflect the will of the people. He charged the commission to, within the shortest possible time, make the will of the people prevail by conducting a local government election that is unbiased. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor, while speaking at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, venue of the swearing-in, said his administration is ready to conduct the local government election, as it has allocated money for OYSIEC in the 2020 Budget. He promised that his administration would not interfere with the activities of the commission. He said: "I want to thank the House of Assembly for confirming you in a timely manner. I hope that you will also imbibe the sense of urgency and conduct credible local government election in Oyo State within the shortest possible time. “We knew this would come and we already allocated money in the Oyo State Budget for this year to conduct the election. Within the shortest possible time, please give us elected officials at the local government level that are known to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria." Governor Makinde, who said he has not yet indicated whether he will be running for another term in 2023 or not, as it is too early to be thinking of that for now, appealed to the opposition in the state not to overheat the polity. He urged politicians not to see elections as war or a do-or-die affair, but allow the will of people to prevail. "Some parties said they want to unseat me in 2023. It is okay, but I have not indicated the interest to run in 2023, as it is still too early. I may or may not. I have a second address and that is what we want to encourage in our space. “This board will have free hand. If they want to unseat me, it's fine; but they should contest and win many councillorship seats as much as possible so that we can know they are really serious. I will encourage them and others to contest in 2023. "Who knows who is going to be alive in the next hour? We are only sure of this moment. So, they should calm down. Elections should never be war or a do-or-die affair. Election in a democracy should be about the will of the people.” He added that members of the board are men and women of integrity with track records, admonishing them to do the work that will make people of the state proud of them. "I believe that the mandate of this board is to conduct an inclusive election. So, gone are the days when the governor of the state will manipulate matter so that some political parties will not field candidates. We are not here to play games. "So, I am saying to this board that the will of the people must remain sacrosanct. We have sent your names to the House of Assembly. We believe you are men and women of integrity. I have met one or two of you personally. It is not about the political party but the interest of the state and I believe the state will be proud of you,” he said. Speaking on behalf of the board members shortly after the swearing-in, the chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, Mr. Olagunju, assured the people of the state that the board will conduct a credible and transparent local government election. He called on the people to have confidence and trust in the commission, adding that they will not be biased towards any political party and that the will of the people will prevail. Olagunju said: "The essence of inaugurating the board is to organise and manage local government election; that is our mandate and we have to follow it. "We were just inaugurated today. We need to go back to the office, see what is happening before we can talk about when to hold the election. It is possible this year but everything depends on the circumstances that we find ourselves when we get to the office. "When His Excellency was inaugurating the commission, he gave us the mandate that we must ensure that the will of the people prevail and that it is sacrosanct. So, we want to assure the people of Oyo State that we will conduct a transparent, credible and acceptable election. "I can also assure that people will have confidence and trust in the commission. It will be our joy that all political parties will participate in the election process. The governor has also said that we should not favour any party, because he is not in support of impartiality." The Board members include: Comrade Adeniji Babatunde, Alhaja Ganiyat Saka, Mr. Emmanuel Olanrewaju, Chief Kunmi Agboola, Mr. Aderemi Ayoade, Mr. Sunday Falana and Mr. Adeojo Elias. The swearing-in was attended by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun; Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka; Head of Service, Mrs. Ololade Agboola and other cabinet members, as well as chieftains of the PDP in the state, led by the chairman, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha. Signed: Taiwo Adisa Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde September 3, 2020.

“In continuation of the vow and commitment of the command to enforce COVID-19 orders and protocols, the command has not relented on its oars in making sure that there is total compliance with COVID-19 orders with a view to reducing or halting the spread of the pandemic,” he said.

The Lagos police boss restated the zeal and commitment of the state Command
to due and total enforcement of COVID-19 protocols and orders including the Federal Government-12 midnight to 4am curfew in Lagos State.

He said police officers and men, with the help of other security agencies, will go after and arrest any violators, no matter how highly placed and cause them to face the full wrath of the law.

“The position of the law is clear on the protocols being put in place to halt the spread of the pandemic and safety of all Lagosians in general.

“The suspects arrested so far by the command have been charged to court and this set, arrested over night, will be arraigned with immediate effect,” he said.

Odumosu also warned club owners to comply with the state government’s directive of immediate and total closure of clubs, declaring that violators will not only be prosecuted, but may also recommend to the state government the stringent punishment of confiscation of their Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os).

He said it has been observed that most of the club houses were not initially built and approved to be used as club houses by the Lagos State government.

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“We wish to admonish Lagosians to observe the COVID-19 guidelines and protocols religiously as the pandemic is real and a global reality which must be collectively tackled.

“The general public is also urged to be involved and assist the government in the ongoing advocacies to halt the spread of the pandemic in Lagos State and Nigeria at large,” he added.

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COVID-19: Police Arrest 243 Protocols Violators In Lagos-CP Odumosu•••Says Most Night Clubs Are Operating Illegally

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