THE Anambra State Police Command has reiterated its determination to enforce the lockdown order put in place by Anambra State Government against the spread of dreaded Coronavirus pandemic in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed, made this known in a statement on Sunday stressing that the Police will leave no stone unturned to ensure total enforcement of the order which was put in place to safeguard lives of the residents against the deadly contagion.
Haruna stated that the state government has ordered suspension of the 2020 Egwu Imo Cultural Festival and other similar gatherings in the state that have the propensity to attract large crowds which will impede social distancing and other precautionary measures put in place by health experts, and that the Anambra State Police Command is dutifully bound to enforce it to the letter.
The Command therefore solicits the corporation and understanding of the public by adhering strictly to this Government directives in order to enhance public safety and security which the citizens continue to enjoy in the State, adding that anyone one caught violating the directives will face the wrath of the law accordingly.
“The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the general Public that following the suspension of 2020 Egwu Imo-Awka Cultural festival and other festivals by the Anambra State Government in order to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the State, the Command is determined to enforce the order to the letter and will therefore not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any individual or group of persons found violating this Government order which was made in the overall interest of ‘Ndi Anambra’ and other residents alike”, he stated.
The state government had in a directive by the Secretary to Anambra State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu dated 10th May, 2020 suspended the 2020 Egwu-Imo Awka Cultural Festival and other Festivals in Anambra State with immediate effect.
The statement reads;
“The Government of Anambra state, taking cognisance of prevailing federal government curfew order, state government order on public gatherings, World Health Organisation (WHO), and Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines on preventing the spread of Covid-19 hereby suspends 2020 Egwu Imo Awka cultural festival. The suspension also extends to other cultural festivals in Anambra state.
“The public, Traditional rulers, Presidents General, custodians and organisers of such festivals are hereby put on notice that they will be held responsible should the festivals go ahead.
“Members of the public are hereby advised not to attend such festivals, and to stay at home, or go about their business observing Covid-19 guidelines previously issued by the federal and state governments. The security agencies are hereby directed to strictly enforce the suspension order”.