BENIN CITY-The Edo State Police Commissioner CP Lawan Jimeta Tanko has charged officers of the command to always observe all the precautions emplaced at preventing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The police boss also urged operatives of the state command to take the lead in enforcing the federal, state and local governments directives on precautionary measures against COVID-19.
He stated that hand-washing materials and sanitisers had been placed at easily accessible locations at the state police command headquarters, Benin City.
CP Jimeta explained that the command standard had been replicated in all police formations including divisions across Edo State.
“In compliance with the governent directive on social distance, we have in the past weeks embarked on the decongestion of cells by taken suspects of simple offences like affray and assault, to court.
“Awareness of the virus has been created in the cells.
“Water supply to the cells has also been increased to enable them clean their environment. All these are meant to stem the spread of coronavirus”. CP Jimeta stated.
He however enjoined operatives of the command to be agents of cleanliness by maintaining high profile personal hygiene.
CP Lawan Jimeta Tanko disclosed this through the command Public Relations Officer DSP Chidi Nwabuzor in Benin City, yesterday.
Our reporter’s checks at the police command headquarters and some divisional headquarters in Benin metropolis revealed running water from taps affixed to plastic buckets, soap and hand sanitizer that were being used by officers and visitors at the stations.
Some of the officers however appealed to police authorities to provide them with COVID-19 prevention kits as policing increases their exposure to the virus on daily basis.
The items needed to prevent the virus according to them included face masks, hand gloves and sanitisers
Among hygiene practices recommended for preventing COVID-19 are washing of hands frequently and thoroughly with soap, covering of face when cough or sneeze, either with a tissue that should immediately be disposed off, or with elbow.
Also avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, keep social distancing of between one metre to 3 feet, self-cleansing if sick, and stop shaking hands and hugging people for now.
