By Monday Ajogun

The Edo government, on Monday, deployed a total of 200 constabularies to three major local government areas of the state for strict compliance of COVID-19 safety protocol.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, who addressed the constabularies, urged them to discharge their duties professionally.

According to him, “You are going for a very important assignment, which is the enforcement of COVID-19 safety protocol in Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba -Oka local government areas of the state.

“You must ensure that all the eateries have hand washing facilities and encourage social distancing.

“All eateries and banks in the council areas must not be crowded, while customers must be on queue for easy entry into those places.

“All the drivers, both private and commercial, and their passengers must also wear face mask.”

Shaibu said that any driver or passengers found not wearing face mask should be arrested and prosecuted.

“You, as enforcers, must show good example by wearing your own face mask properly and you must now allow any gathering of more than 50 persons,” he said.

The deputy governor expressed the regret that the second wave of COVID-19 had claimed more deaths than the first.

“That is why you have more work to do; don’t forget that you must show good examples in enforcing the law; don’t harass anybody but you must do your work professionally,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shaibu himself conducted a stop-and-search on some vehicles, with those found not wearing face mask ordered to be arrested and taken to testing centres. (NAN)