COVID-19 Lockdown: Resist Criminal Elements Exploiting The Situation – APC Tells Nigerians
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday urged Nigerians to resist criminal elements trying to exploit the COVID-19 situation to inflict further hardships on already stressed fellow Nigerians.
The Party said that while there is no dispute about the hardships being faced by many citizens as a result of the unavoidable lockdown, it however said that what we all need now is to offer ourselves support and ensure we provide as much comfort as possible for one another.
The APC therefore assured Nigerians that the emerging opportunistic crimes that have been recorded in some parts of the country as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown will soon be brought under check.
The ruling party noted that the key responsibility of government remains ensuring the safety and security of lives and property of all citizens, adding that from the renewed and intensified Boko Haram counter-insurgency to the enhanced offensive against emerging crimes in other parts of the country, the government would continue to take bold steps to secure the country and the citizenry.
The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu said that in line with the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari during his broadcast on Monday, a major and coordinated offensive by the Police, Army, Navy, Airforce and Directorate of State Services (DSS) is underway against the miscreants.
The party also cautioned vigilante groups to resist the urge to resort to unlawful and extra-judicial actions in the name of protecting communities as a way of responding to the ugly situation.
Issa-Onilu said; “There are already disturbing reports of vigilantes terrorising innocent citizens. While the government and private concerns are doing their best to provide relief, we all have a responsibility to join our security services in protecting ourselves and communities from miscreants.
“Nigeria is recording great success in tracking, testing suspected cases and generally containing further spread of the COVID-19. We have achieved greater awareness of and adherence to public health directives as it relates to social distancing and other preventive protocols.
“We are confident that the fight against the global pandemic will be won soon and we all will be able to return to our normal lives and activities. We urge Nigerians to continue to stay safe.”
