The joint team of security agencies and COVID-19 marshals charged with the responsibility to sensitize and enforce safety protocols of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kano state, North-Western Nigeria has prosecuted about 200 persons for violations.
The state commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba in a statement noted that of the total figure of the violators, 102 were fined N5, 000 each, while 25 others have been remanded in prison by the 21 Mobile Courts set up to deal with non-compliance to safety protocols which had been identified as a huge challenge to curbing the spread of the virus.
“The enforcement measure became necessary to preserve public safety and ensure full compliance with the Coronavirus prevention protocols, particularly the use of a face mask.
“The enforcement, which is led by the state Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA), comprised of the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Department of State Security Service and the COVID-19 marshals, is being executed in strategic locations, where violators are arrested,” the Commissioner noted.
The Commissioner pointed out that the decision was in response to the coming of the new variant that calls for caution and adherence to safety measures in the state.
He said that despite the new wave of COVID-19, which is tougher than the first wave of the pandemic, residents are refusing to observe the infection, prevention and control (IPC) protocols.
Malam Garba warned that any resident that refused to observe safety protocols would be arraigned before the mobile court.
The commissioner, who called for the cooperation of the public, assured that the government would continue to improve enlightenment and persuasion to halt rising cases of death and infections in the state.
Zainab Sa’id
