Flog anyone not wearing face mask, Umahi orders officials

By Gbadamosi oladimeji

As part of the preventative measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic, Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has ordered officials who are in charge of lockdown enforcement to cane residents who do not wear face masks.

The governor announced the use of minimal force as part of efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although, the state is yet to record any infection, Umahi said the government is stepping up preventive measures against the disease.

Addressing a meeting of stakeholders on Wednesday at the Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital, he disclosed that officials have been directed to flog residents coming out of their houses without wearing face masks.

He said, “Let me warn again that no face mask in Ebonyi State, no public movement.

Ealier this month, the Ebonyi State Government announced the use of face mask in the state as one of the preventive measure provided by the state to combat coronavirus disease.

“If you don’t have a face mask and you are out, I am directing the local government chairmen to use their men to enfore compliance through the use of cane”, he said.

“No face mask, you will attract cane, it doesn’t matter who you are. If you are a big man and you are coming outside and you do not have a face mask, you will face trouble and the law is very clear about that”, he stressed.

According to him, the Nigerian Army authorities have highlighted the order of roadblocks to check the unnecessary influx of travellers into Ebonyi.

The governor noted that the residents have a role to play, as well as the security agencies, including the police and the Ebonyi State Neighbourhood Security Watch.

Governor Umahi added, “We have also emphasised, in fact, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) has also warned that the order of blocking must be maintained.

“The police must block the first point of the border. The army must give a safe distance and then block, then the other security agencies will now block and then after that, it is now the Neighbourhood Watch.”

He also sought the cooperation of the youth assembly in the state with the Neighbourhood Watch to ensure compliance with the government’s policies against COVID-19.