Matilda Omonaiye/
Individuals and organizations hoping to donate relief materials to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 stay-at-home order have been urged to seek police protection to avert chaos during the humanitarian service.
The Ogun State commissioner of police (CP) Kenneth Ebrimson gave the advice today following some developments circulating on social media in which relief materials were seen being hijacked by hoodlums.
The police statement signed by DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi says, “In view of the lockdown order given by the Federal Government of Nigeria to checkmate the spread of the deadly Corona-virus also known as Covid-19, it has been observed that various organizations, religious bodies, N.G.O, corporate organizations as well as public spirited individuals have been providing food items to the vulnerable members of the public in order to ameliorate their suffering while the lockdown lasts.
“The Ogun State police command, in order to prevent the good gestures of these philanthropic people from being hijacked by hoodlums hereby wishes to appeal to those with such good intention to liaise with the DPO of their respective areas whenever they want to go about distributing such materials, so as to afford the police the opportunity of providing security cover for them during the process of distribution.
“This becomes imperative in order to prevent the distribution of such palliative materials from degenerating to a free-for-all and break down of law and order.
“It will also prevent hoodlums from hijacking the process which may defeat the primary aim of the donors.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Kenneth Ebrimson has directed all DPOs to always provide adequate security at the venue of such distribution.”
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