Stay-at-home order: Groups vow to check compliance, rights abuses

Following the stay at home order issued by the federal and state governments to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, Cleen Foundation in collaboration with Prison Inmate Development Initiative (PIDI-Nigeria) have vowed to check compliance and human rights abuses.

The two organizations while launching ‘COVID-19 public safety and security support centres in Abuja and Bauchi state respective, said they are aiming at calls for collective responsibility to end the pandemic and advocate respect for human rights in Nigeria.

Executive Director of PIDI-Nigeria, Mr. Mbami Sabka, who represented Dr. Benson Olugbuo in Bauchi, said that the launch of the COVID-19 public safety support virtual centre (COVID-PSSC) is aimed at providing real-time public safety and security information to Nigerians.

Olugbuo said the electronic platform using tella application would be deployed for reporting compliance by citizens to government’s directive and rights violations by security personnel.

He said that state coordinators and volunteers of COVID-19 Nigeria Security Support Group (CNSSG) will report conditions and needs of vulnerable groups and communities in the society to assist health and security officials and other critical stakeholders in responding effectively to the management of COVID-19 pandemic and related issues in Nigeria.

The organizations while commending the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for its timely dissemination of useful information, also applauded the efforts of numerous corporate organisations and individuals who have contributed funds, and other resources to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group while appreciating the efforts of the police in enforcing orders toward curtailing the spread of the disease, however, expressed concerns with reports showing some police officers destroying businesses of some citizens around the Ikorodu axis of Lagos state for allegedly flouting the lockdown order in the state.

“We call on personnel of the police and other security agencies deployed to monitor and enforce compliance of government directives to work within the provisions of the constitution and rules of engagement in policing vulnerable groups and communities during this difficult period,” the group pointed out.

Olugbuo, who reminded Nigerians that the task to end COVID-19 is the responsibility of all, promised to continue to work with key stakeholders in observing compliance and the conduct of security actors to ensure responsible policing of the global pandemic.

The organizations recommended that the federal and state governments should ensure adequate financial, human and logistic support in the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria through adequate resourcing of testing, isolation and treatment centres.

Other recomendations according to the group include adequate protection of health and security officials, especially those at the frontlines, massive public enlightenment programmes to create awareness of the pandemic in both rural and urban areas using major local languages.

They equally called on the government to institute palliative measures to cushion the effect of the pandemic and the resultant effects of the lockdown on households, ensure public buildings have hand-washing bowls and hand sanitizers to curb the transmission of the virus.

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The group called for transparency and accountability in the disbursement of funds donated by corporate organizations and philanthropic individuals, urging media regulatory bodies to monitor and apply appropriate sanctions against erring media practitioners and organisations who engage in the spread of fake news.

The group while calling on governments of less affected states to put in place stronger preventive measures to curtail the spread of the virus, advised security agencies to be professional in enforcing the government’s orders.

“On the lock-down order, we besiege our security agencies to minimise the use of force in securing compliance.

“They should work with community policing outfits where applicable to engender communal trust in raising awareness and enforcing government’s directives,” the executive director said.

He called on heads of security agencies to monitor the conduct of their personnel during the period of the pandemic and apply appropriate sanctions in the event of any human rights violations.