Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, Onikan Lagos, Ahmed Iliyasu, has taken the lead in monitoring compliance with the lockdown of Lagos and Ogun states announced on March 28 by President Muhammadu Buhari during a nationwide broadcast on measures to check the spread of COVID-9 pandemic.

In the latest of such monitoring exercises, the AIG embarked on tour of Kara, the border of Lagos and Ogun states, and the interchange to access the level of compliance by the citizens. AIG Iliyasu was accompanied by the police commissioners of Lagos State Command, CP Hakeem Odumosu, and Ogun State Command, CP Kenneth Ebrimson.

Addressing newsmen at the Interchange, the AIG assured the public of their safety, assuring that the police will continue to ensure security of life and property now and even after COVID-19.

He pleaded with members of the public to stay calm and abide with directives and orders from the authorities. According to him, “The lockdown is not a punishment” but designed to slow down the incubation, spread and manifestation of the deadly virus. “It is in the best interest of everyone; the police and other security agencies are at work to ensure sanity and to make sure the national economy, institutions, diplomatic missions and all national interests are protected and functional,” AIG Iliyasu said.

He warned criminals who may want to seize the opportunity of the present situation to engage in any criminal activity or breakdown of peace and order that his men are at work to ensure none of such criminal acts goes unchecked.

He thanked members of the press for their cooperation and good work, saying: “This is not a time for negative journalism as it will create an unsettling atmosphere and make things worse. Together we will defeat this pandemic and make this difficult time a thing of the past.”

In their comments, CP Odumosu and CP Ebrimson vowed not to relent in joint policing, “especially at this crucial stage of COVID-19 in the country, to make the Federal Government pronouncement on lockdown a success.”

Addressing journalists after the tour, publicist, Amb. Cornel Udofia, who accompanied AIG Iliaysu, commended the Lagos and Ogun police commissioners for their consistent support for the Commander of Zone 2 HQ Ahmed Iliaysu.

He noted that “AIG Ahmed Iliaysu is passionately driven by the desire to not just bring into fruition the vision of the current Inspector-General of Police, which is zero tolerance for crime and human rights abuses, but to ensure that the police force has a credible and more friendly attitude toward the society.”