The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has admonished Lagosians after the arrest of two hundred and forty-three club-goers who violated the COVID-19 guidelines.
The 243 merry goers were arrested in the early hours of Saturday from the Lounge 38, Bode Thomas Surulere (85 suspects) and Club Victoria’s, VI, (152 suspects) and others.
CP Hakeem reiterated that the police will not hesitate to arrest violators of guidelines put in place by the State and Federal Government to curb the spread of the virus.
He also warned club owners to close off as directed by the government or face total closure of their business places.
Read the full press briefing below:
PRESS BRIEFING BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE LAGOS STATE, CP HAKEEM ODUMOSU, ON THE GROSS VIOLATION OF COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AND ARREST OF VIOLATORS, TODAY 9TH JANUARY, 2021
Gentlemen of the press, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, you are welcome to the Command Headquarters Ikeja today where I intend to brief the media on the update on the enforcement of COVID-19 protocols in Lagos State.
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.
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 to reduce or halt the spread of the pandemic.
On Friday, 8th 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 two hundred and thirty-seven (237) violators were arrested.
The clubs raided included Lounge 38, Bode Thomas Surulere (85 suspects) and Club Victoria’s, VI, (152 suspects) while six (6) were arrested for violating the Federal Government imposed midnight to 4 am curfew in the stat.
In total, Two hundred and forty-three (243) violators were arrested and are being paraded today.
Gentlemen of the press, the Command wishes to reiterate its zeal and commitment to due and total enforcement of COVID-19 protocols and orders including the Federal Government 12 midnight to 4 am curfew, in Lagos State as 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 overnight, will be arraigned with immediate effect.
The club owners are hereby strictly warned to comply with the State Government’s directive of immediate and total closure of clubs as they will not only be prosecuted but may have to recommend to the State Government the stringent punishment of confiscation of the C of O of the club! as it has been observed that most of the clubhouses were not initially built and approved to be used as clubhouses by Lagos State Government.
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.
Thank you and remain blessed.
