Kaduna Lockdown Extension:  El-rufa’i Only Interested In Fines Paid By Violators, As Police Arrest 986 Violators – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State has berated Governor Nasir el-Rufai for extending the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state for another month as one of the measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

The party said the governor was only interested in generating revenue from fines paid by curfew violators.

PDP, while faulting the state government’s approach to tackling the spread of COVID-19, said the present administration has not adequately updated the citizens on its level of responsiveness and preparedness to tackle the pandemic in the state.

The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Abraham Catoh, in a statement insisted that, “Locking down the state is only a means to an end but not an end itself.”

However, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Emmanuel Jekada, described the PDP allegations as uncalled for, stressing that the lockdown was for the good of all citizens that need not be politicised.

Meanwhile, the police in Kaduna State have arrested 986 people for violating the Quarantine Order of the state government aimed at curtailing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Among the suspects are 48 religious leaders and beer parlour operators who are facing charges for disobedience at the various mobile courts across the state.

Parading the arrested persons in his office, the Commissioner of Police, Umar Muri, said the enforcement of the lockdown and social distancing directive has become imperative in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The police boss noted that anyone who violates the order in the state or around its environment will face the full wrath of the law.

While reiterating the commitment of the Police Command to rid the state of criminal elements, the Commissioner explained that over 300 bandits have been killed in the past two months. According to him, the success was recorded in collaboration with the Nigerian Airforce between February till date.

He noted that 91 suspects were arrested for other criminal offences and several arms and ammunition recovered during different operations at 10 identified camps belonging to the bandits within Birnin Gwari and Giwa Local Government Areas of the state.

Speaking further, CP Muri regretted that two policemen lost their lives while 13 others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the operations.

-Politics Digest