By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, on Thursday said, despite the impressive compliance of the citizenry during the 11 days lockdown order in the state, as a measure in preventing the entry of COVID-19 into the state, 1, 707 persons violated the order and were convicted.
The Governor also advised citizens from above 65 years to “strongly” avoid unnecessary movements as they are at higher risk of getting infected by the coronavirus.
It would be recalled that during the lockdown, the state government had set up ten mobile courts across the three senatorial zones to try defaulters.
Lalong disclosed this during a statewide broadcast in Jos, the state capital.
He said, “To ensure that the challenges of violations and compromise were checked, I directed the installation of CCTV cameras as well as discreet monitoring.
“This has helped us to monitor happenings around the official borders and identify the loopholes, which we are finding solutions for.
“While I commend officers and men of various security organisations, Vigilante Services and Neighbourhood Watch Groups for doing their best to secure our borders at this critical time, the challenge of illegal routes and compromises persists.
According to him, “This is a major challenge that we shall continue to tackle especially with the cooperation of other States as canvassed by the Nigerian Governors Forum.
“Nevertheless, we have continued to arrest and try violators of the lockdown order in Mobile Courts while quarantining those who come in from other States.
“From the commencement of the second phase of the lockdown, we have arrested, tried and convicted 769 violators. This brings to a total of 1, 607 convictions so far”, he stressed.
Meantime, the Governor said, “Citizens are strongly advised to use Face Masks as often as possible especially where they are in contact with others in order to cut down chances of infection and transmission of COVID-19.
According, “People above 65 years are also advised to strongly avoid unnecessary movements as they are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection”.
