• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

      PRNigeria logo fearured image

      EFCC Arraigns Ex-Convict, Other for Naira Abuse in Lagos

      EFCC Arrests 37 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ilorin

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Nigeria Customs, ICPC and the Audit of Conscience

      Customs Diplomacy: Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Ink Mutual Assistance Deal

      Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Nigeria, Belarus Forge Alliance to Combat Smuggling, Facilitate Trade

      President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and CG Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      Tinubu Hails Customs Boss Wale Adeniyi on Historic Election as WCO…

      WTO Lauds Nigeria Customs for Embracing Global Trade Standards

  • National
    • Ribadu Proposes Reintegration of Military Veterans to Bolster National Security

      DICON signs MoU with Saudi firm

      DICON, Saudi firm sign MoU to produce security drones, satellites in…

      Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya

      Ex-COAS Urges Reforms in Recruitment, Training of Army, Harps on Prioritisation…

      Prioritise Troops’ Welfare, Mission Over Personal Gain – COAS Charges Army…

      Nigeria’s Growth Numbers Tell Only Half the Story By Umar Farouk…

    • Government
      • Corporate Affairs Commission

        CAC Unveils AI-Powered Registration Portal to Revolutionize Business Registration in Nigeria

        Employment: ICPC Secures Conviction of FAAN Staff

        Staff of PRNigeria with federal lawmakers

        Federal Lawmakers Endorse PRNigeria Fellowship, Pledge Support for Youth Empowerment

        G7 Countries

        Iran Must Never Possess Nuclear Weapons – G7 Declare

        Nigerian Dignitaries, Business Leaders Attend Aminu Dantata’s Burial in Madinah Saudi…

  • Security
    • Police Officer

      Police Foil Bandit Attacks in Katsina, Rescue Victims as Traditional Leader…

      Ribadu Proposes Reintegration of Military Veterans to Bolster National Security

      DICON signs MoU with Saudi firm

      DICON, Saudi firm sign MoU to produce security drones, satellites in…

      Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya

      Ex-COAS Urges Reforms in Recruitment, Training of Army, Harps on Prioritisation…

      Prioritise Troops’ Welfare, Mission Over Personal Gain – COAS Charges Army…

  • Features
    • Nigeria’s Growth Numbers Tell Only Half the Story By Umar Farouk…

      NYSC Corps Members in Camp

      The Burden Too Many Nigerian Youths Bear Alone

      Combating Deepfake Videos: A Fight for Nigeria’s Soul By Mukhtar Ya’u…

      Domestic Violence

      Marriage and the Silent Wounds Within Homes By Hafsat Ibrahim

      FutureMap Foundation Sparks Innovation with Design Thinking in Nigeria

  • State
    • Police Officer

      Police Foil Bandit Attacks in Katsina, Rescue Victims as Traditional Leader…

      Customs Hands Over N172m Worth of Cannabis to NDLEA in Ogun,…

      Combating Deepfake Videos: A Fight for Nigeria’s Soul By Mukhtar Ya’u…

      IEDs found at the bridge

      Military Foils Terrorists’ Bomb Attack, Discovers 56 IEDs on Marte–Dikwa Bridge…

      Suspected Gunrunner

      Plateau: Troops Nab Suspected Gunrunner, Recover AK-47, Ammunition in Plateau

  • Event
    • President & Chairman of Governing Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku

      NIPR Lauds Nigerian PR Firms for Outstanding Performances at 2025 SABRE…

      SCN NGO signs partnership with PRNIGERIA

      SCN NGO Seals Partnership with PRNigeria to Amplify its Humanitarian Projects

      NELFUND

      NELFUND Warns Students Against Fake Loan Application Portal

      EFCC Witness: Yahaya Bello Had No Property Dealings With EFAB

      Hon. Rukayat Motunrayo Shittu (RMS), with PRNigeria Ladies in PR I'm Abuja

      Rukayat Shittu Set to Publish Inspirational Book “Cracking the Glass Ceiling”,…

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper

    FG Urged to Establish More Testing Centres, Face Masks

    By
    Benson Olugbuo
    -
    April 29, 2020
    Boss-Gida-Mustapha SGF
    Boss-Gida-Mustapha SGF

    FG Urged to Establish More Testing Centres, Face Masks
    •Urged to provide adequate PPEs for security agents

    Federal Government has been urged to establish more testing centres across Nigeria and the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to provide Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) to security agents as a matter of urgency.

    This was appeal was made in the latest report by CLEEN Foundation, detailing its observations in the ongoing lockdown measures put in place by Federal and State governments across Nigeria.

    The Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation, Mr. Benson Olugbuo, in a statement on Tuesday, listed some recommendations, calling on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to work towards activating more testing centers across Nigeria and embark on aggressive testing of citizens.

    Olugbuo in the report also advised the government to intensify COVID-19 awareness in local communities by sensitizing the people about the seriousness of the virus and the danger of shielding infected persons.

    He further urged the PTF to “prioritise the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for security agents as promised by the President during the recent national broadcast”.
    CLEEN Foundation also advised both the Federal and Kano State governments to as a matter compulsion, investigate the recent reports of deaths of persons recorded within a short period in Kano state.

    In addition, he called on the Federal government to increase its surveillance in Kano state and strengthen the state’s COVID-19 response system in the areas of capacity building and supply of testing kits.

    The Foundation also recommended for the governments tonprioritize the distribution of facemasks as a first line of defense against the COVID-19.

    “The imbalance in the distribution of palliatives across the country should be addressed. Hunger and starvation have become an existential issue during the restriction of movement,” the statement read.

    Read the full statement:

    For Immediate Release
    Abuja-Nigeria
    3:00 pm
    Tuesday 28th April, 2020

    CLEEN Foundation Calls for the Establishment of More Testing Centres Across Nigeria and Requests the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to Provide Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) to Security Agents as a Matter of Urgency

    Introduction
    With the second cycle of the restriction of movement imposed by the Federal Government (in Lagos, FCT and Ogun) and by some state governments to curb the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) across Nigeria, the spread of the virus across states have continued to increase with 26 states of the federation and the FCT now having active cases of infected COVID-19 patients. Much of the cause of the spread of the virus has been attributed to the continuous intra and interstate movement of citizens despite the restriction of movement, low compliance to social distancing guidelines and the complicity of some law enforcement and security personnel at different state borders.

    Due to the rising cases of COVID-19 pandemic across the country and in line with our recommendation last week for a synergy between the federal and state governments, the governors of the thirty-six (36) states of the federation on Wednesday 22 April 2020 agreed for a restriction of interstate movement in Nigeria. This decision will hopefully go a long way to curb the spread of the virus. As at Monday 27th April 2020, Nigeria has a total confirmed case of 1337. Those who recovered and have been discharged are 255 while 40 have died. To flatten the curve, a collective and coordinated action is required by all citizens with support from the federal and state governments. There is need to constantly review developments across Nigeria as the federal government plans a gradual relaxation of the restriction of movement imposed few weeks ago.

    2.0 Methodology
    As a follow up on the report released on Monday 20th April 2020, CLEEN Foundation adopted a triangulation approach involving collection of primary data by our state coordinators and volunteers and tracking developments across the states from reliable secondary sources of information. CLEEN Foundation received a total of 548 reports collated across the six geo-political zones and these are disaggregated as follows:

     318 reports on citizens’ compliance to government directives;

     155 reports on conduct of security personnel enforcing government directives;

     75 reports on human rights violations by security personnel enforcing government directives on COVID 19

    3.0 Citizens Compliance to Government Directives

    3. 1 Stay at Home Order
    The government’s stay-at-home order remains on low/moderate compliance in general. Majority of our observers (69%) across the country noted that most Nigerians were seen moving around and carrying out their various activities in different parts of the country. Between 35% and 34% respectively of our observers noted there were moderate and low public compliance to government’s stay-at-home order while 14%, 10% and 7% reported no compliance, total compliance and not applicable respectively.

    However, there was improved public compliance to government’s stay-at- home order last week when compared with the findings two weeks ago. This can be attributed to the increase in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, deaths and spread to other states in Nigeria. In Nasarawa State, our volunteers observed that residents were seen going about their daily movements with little or no compliance to the state government’s stay home directives. Markets and motor parks were reported to be very functional and intrastate movements continued without precautionary measures observed.

    In the South-West Nigeria, reports and feedback from observers indicated that the level of compliance of citizens in the states where the lockdown order was announced have decreased. In Lagos state, it was reported that citizens’ compliance was reducing weekly, as some churches and mosques were observed to still hold services with praying grounds still fully functional while open markets continue to operate in some parts of the state. In Oyo, citizens were seen to be moving around. Despite the ban on large gatherings, some churches and mosques were observed to be operating with large crowds. In Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states, we observed there were violations of restriction orders by citizens.

    In South-East Nigeria, we observed partial compliance by citizens particularly in Mgbirichi in Ohaji/Egbema and Owerri Municipal LGAs of Imo state. However in Oguta LGA, residents observed the sit-at-home directives. In Enugu State, we observed minimal compliance by the citizens. In Abia State, the citizens defied the government’s directive on compulsory wearing of face masks. In Anambra state, our volunteers observed that some commercial bus and tricycle drivers were seen violating government directives on the use of face masks and approved number of passengers. In Onitsha, residents were observed walking freely across the bridge without any restrictions.

    In the North West Nigeria, CLEEN observed varying degree of compliance across the states of the region. In Kano state where there is a complete lockdown in all the 44 LGAs, our observers noted partial compliance by the residents as some youths were seen playing football in different open spaces. In Kebbi and Sokoto states, the interstate borders and entry points were closed while intra-state movements continued in some parts. In Jigawa State, partial compliance was observed by residents. However, in Katsina state, we observed a high level compliance from residents especially in the local governments areas affected by COVID-19.
    The compliance level in the North East is low as there were no restriction of movements in Gombe, Borno, Taraba, Yobe, Bauchi and Adamawa until early last week when state governors agreed to a nationwide restriction of movement. The restriction of movement in Bauchi began mid-night of Monday 27th April 2020.

    Read Also:

    • Police Foil Bandit Attacks in Katsina, Rescue Victims as Traditional Leader Abducted
    • Ribadu Proposes Reintegration of Military Veterans to Bolster National Security
    • DICON, Saudi firm sign MoU to produce security drones, satellites in Nigeria

    3.2 Non-Compliance with Social Distancing Guidelines
    In several parts of the country, we observed the refusal of citizens to adhere with the guidelines on social and physical distancing. CLEEN observers in the North Central especially in the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, Kogi and Kwara states reported minimal compliance by residents with the stay-at-home-order. In the Federal Capital Territory, we observed that in parts of Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Bwari and Lugbe, there was mass movement and convergence of people without recourse to social distancing and use of facemasks. The designated market days were crowded than usual in some areas of Nyanya, Karu, Kuje and Lugbe and Wuse. Residents in the Galadimawa area of the Federal Capital Territory were also seen along the express way performing various sporting activities. In Benue, Niger, Kwara and Plateau States, there was high-level compliance by residents in the second phase of the state’s lockdown directive. However, the Ipata and Oja Oba markets of Kwara state, were constantly crowded without compliance to the laid down precautionary measures.

    In the South-South geo-political zone, citizens violated government directives and staged a protest against the stay-at-home order In Sapele, Delta State. Security agents were seen having a herculean task managing and dispersing the crowd. Traders and citizens were also seen in other parts of the states in various markets. Both Edo and Bayelsa states recorded low compliance to social distancing in most markets in the two states.. In Cross River State, despite the No-Mask, No-Movement policy, there was low compliance to social distancing in some parts of Calabar the state capital.

    3.3 Ban on Public Gatherings and citizens compliance
    The compliance to government’s ban on public gathering shows a total to moderate compliance level by the public as 60% of our observers indicated total/moderate compliance, 33% indicated low/no compliance while 7% indicated that the ban on public gathering is not applicable in their states. Similarly, when compared with the previous findings in the last two weeks, there is a gradual improvement in compliance rate as we have 60% compliance against 58% total/moderate compliance. This can be attributed to increased spread across the states with more states adopting measures to curb the spread of the global pandemic. Our volunteers observed that despite the ban on large gatherings, some churches and mosques in Oyo state were not complying with the directives as large crowds were seen across the state. In Sokoto State, there is a ban on public gathering of persons in excess of 20 in the state, however, Jumat prayers were held with large crowds in parts of the state. In Edo state, it was observed that in Etsako East Local Government, some churches organized programmes with sizeable gatherings. At Umuelendu village and around the Seven-Up market junction, Obingwa, LGA, Abia State, some people were seen moving from or to church gatherings, while others were seen very close to food and provision stalls around the neigbourhood.

    3.4 Inter-State Movements
    Movements across borders are not well enforced as citizens were seen violating the order with impunity and acquiescence of some security personnel who were induced. However, in the South-South geopolitical zone, our volunteers in Delta State observed that a lorry conveying about 50 persons from Lagos state was intercepted by the state taskforce at Ologbo, a border town between Edo and Delta states. The lorry was denied entry into Delta state by the vigilant task force members. In Akwa-Ibom state, it was observed that in Ikot Ekpene and Ika towns, there was entry into the state via these towns by residents in neighboring Abia state who journeyed into these towns for business purposes. A group of Abia traders were arrested while being smuggled in a container into Rivers State. A policeman was also caught using his vehicle to transport passengers from Port-Harcourt to Aba. Members of the National Union Road Transport Workers alleged that private car owners engaged in intra-state travels at night. It was also reported that foreigners were entering the country through land borders at Ogun and Lagos states.

    4.0 Conduct of Security Personnel on Enforcement of government Directive on COVID 19
    In terms of the general conduct of security personnel, CLEEN Foundation findings indicated a general poor/fair conduct of security personnel as reported by 59% of our observers on the COVID-19 enforcement duty. The findings corroborate the increase in human rights violations by security agencies on COVID-19 duty. Only 30% observers reported that the security personnel are of good conduct.

    4.1 Extra-Judicial Killings by Security Personnel
    We observed that in Delta state, a tricycle rider was shot dead by a police officer in Otokutu town over the deceased’s refusal to give bribe. In Rivers state, a female police personnel was shot dead by a Police Sergeant who is a member of the Rivers State Task Force in Eleka town in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area. It was alleged that the incident took place while the deceased was attempting to restore civility between the taskforce and the traders who violated government directives. Furthermore, in Sankara community, Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State, a 10 year old boy was allegedly shot by police officers while enforcing the lockdown imposed on the market in the community. The Police authorities in both states have reacted proactively as both police personnel have been arrested and are currently facing disciplinary actions. A total of 25 deaths caused by security agents have been recorded since the restriction of movement started.

    4.2 Brutality of Citizens by Security Operatives

    We observed that in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti-state, South-West Nigeria, an okada rider was brutalized by Amotekun and Vigilante operatives. In Mpape area of the Federal Capital Territory, a young man was brutally beaten by a group of young soldiers for failing to comply with the stay-home-order.

    In Edo state, South-South Nigeria there were reports of the Army molesting and intimidating a Journalist in Benin City. In Delta state, we observed that security personnel shot at protesters in Sapele town who staged a peaceful protest against the sit-at-home order as citizens were flogged and molested. Most of the protesters went home with various degree of injuries. Furthermore, in Akwa Ibom state, it was reported that security personnel intimidated and inflicted injuries on traders at Ikot-Ekpene. In Rivers state, it was also observed that the taskforce team was seen intimidating residents while enforcing the lock down especially in Obio Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government areas of the state.

    5.0 Gaps Identified

    • Extortion of money from citizens by private security personnel security personnel deployed to enforce restriction of movement;

    • Citizens’ low-level compliance with government directives particularly on suspension of public gathering, wearing of face masks and social distancing;

    • Professional misconduct of some security personnel especially at different border posts;

    • Inter/intra state movements by citizens despite restriction of movement;

    • Only few security personnel wear personal protective equipment while on duty;

    • The Police Service Commission has been silent on the discipline of police officers during COVID-19 pandemic.

    6.0 Recommendations

    6.1 The Federal Government and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) should work towards activating more testing centers across Nigeria and embark on aggressive testing of citizens, intensify COVID-19 awareness in local communities by sensitizing the people about the seriousness of the virus and the danger of shielding infected persons.

    6.2 The Presidential Task Force should prioritise the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for security agents as promised by the President during the recent national broadcast.

    6.3 The Federal government and the Kano State government must investigate the recent reports of deaths of persons recorded within a short period in Kano state. In addition, the Federal government should increase its surveillance in Kano state and strengthen the state’s COVID-19 response system in the areas of capacity building and supply of testing kits.

    6.4 Federal and Governments should prioritize the distribution of facemasks as a first line of defense against the COVID-19.

    6.5 The imbalance in the distribution of palliatives across the country should be addressed. Hunger and starvation have become an existential issue during the restriction of movement.

    May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and heal our land.

    Benson Olugbuo, PhD
    Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation

    VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
    PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
    EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
    HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
    ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
    • TAGS
    • CLEEN Foundation
    • Covid-19
    • Facemasks
    • PTF
    • Testing Centres
    • Testing Kits
    Previous articleCOVID-19: Emir, Emirate Raise N50m Palliative for Vulnerable People in Ilorin
    Next articleFinally, Nigerian Military Captures Bula Shatane Village, 2 BHTs Surrender in Bama
    Benson Olugbuo
    Benson Olugbuo
    http://www.PRNigeria.com

    RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

    ‎FACT-CHECK: Are Nigerian Soldiers Protecting Cattle Instead of Citizens in Yelewata Benue State as Shown in a Viral Video?

    How a Single Electricity Market Will Empower Africa’s People and Economies

    World’s Largest Electricity Market Kicks Off as AU Launches Steering Committee to Drive Continental Integration

    General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, CDS

    DHQ, NIS Team Up to Revive Nigerian Sports

    Nigerian Military Troops

    Nigerian Troops Eliminate Scores of Terrorists in Fierce Battle in Borno and Cameroon Border

    FACT-CHECK: Did Borno Governor Zulum’s Wife Lift Primary School Mate Out of Poverty in Viral Video?

    Fact-Check: Did Saudi ‘Sleeping Prince’ Wake Up After 20 Years in a Coma?

    Fact Check: Does Rat Faeces Cure Appendicitis as Claimed in Viral Video?

    FG Officials Arrives S’Arabia for Business Mogul Aminu Dantata’s Burial in Madinah

    Police Officer

    Police Rescue 29 Captives, Arrest 3 Suspects in Kogi, Lagos, Katsina

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and CG Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

    Tinubu Hails Customs Boss Wale Adeniyi on Historic Election as WCO Chair

    Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack

    18 Workers, Two MDAs Honoured as Federal Civil Service Week Ends

    Recent Posts

    • Police Foil Bandit Attacks in Katsina, Rescue Victims as Traditional Leader Abducted
    • Ribadu Proposes Reintegration of Military Veterans to Bolster National Security
    • DICON, Saudi firm sign MoU to produce security drones, satellites in Nigeria
    • Ex-COAS Urges Reforms in Recruitment, Training of Army, Harps on Prioritisation of Troops’ Welfare
    • Prioritise Troops’ Welfare, Mission Over Personal Gain – COAS Charges Army Commanders
    • Home
    • About
    • Adverts
    • Contact
    © 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
    Latest News
    Police Foil Bandit Attacks in Katsina, Rescue Victims as Traditional Leader AbductedRibadu Proposes Reintegration of Military Veterans to Bolster National SecurityDICON, Saudi firm sign MoU to produce security drones, satellites in NigeriaEx-COAS Urges Reforms in Recruitment, Training of Army, Harps on Prioritisation of Troops’ WelfarePrioritise Troops’ Welfare, Mission Over Personal Gain - COAS Charges Army CommandersNigeria's Growth Numbers Tell Only Half the Story By Umar Farouk BalaThe Burden Too Many Nigerian Youths Bear AloneCAC Unveils AI-Powered Registration Portal to Revolutionize Business Registration in NigeriaEmployment: ICPC Secures Conviction of FAAN StaffCustoms Hands Over N172m Worth of Cannabis to NDLEA in Ogun, Commissions 13 New Patrol VehiclesCombating Deepfake Videos: A Fight for Nigeria's Soul By Mukhtar Ya'u MadobiMilitary Foils Terrorists' Bomb Attack, Discovers 56 IEDs on Marte–Dikwa Bridge in BornoNIPR Lauds Nigerian PR Firms for Outstanding Performances at 2025 SABRE Africa AwardsDHQ: How Troops Nabbed Mastermind of NDLEA Commander’s Kidnap in AnambraFederal Lawmakers Endorse PRNigeria Fellowship, Pledge Support for Youth Empowerment
    X whatsapp