Streets deserted, commercial activities grounded as lockdown hits Ogun hard

Streets and towns in Ogun state on Saturday were totally deserted and commercial activities were grounded as the state began the implementation of the Federal government’s lockdown order.

The lockdown was precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

When Blueprint moved around major streets in Abeokuta, the state capital to monitor the implementation of the order, major streets, parks and markets were empty as combined security forces manned strategic areas to monitor and enforce compliance.

The state Commissioner of Police, Kenneth Ebrimson; the Director of State Security Service (SSS), David Tuksa and the Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDCD), Hammed Abodunrin led a team of security agencies in monitoring compliance in Abeokuta, Sagamu and other parts of the state.

Commercial centres including Kuto motor park, Panseke, Omida, Ita Oshin and Lafenwa markets in the state capital, were totally deserted as traders stayed back home. 

While the sit-at-home order recorded total compliance in Abeokuta, there was minor business activities at Ifo and Sango – Ota along Abeokuta – Lagos Expressway.

The Area Commander of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun West Senatorial District, Adekunle Ajibade, told journalists in Sango – Ota that there was 85 percent compliance in the area.

Ajibade disclosed that two commercial drivers have been arrested in the area for defying the lockdown, saying they would soon be handed over to the appropriate authority.

Also addressing journalists in Abeokuta, the Commissioner of Police, Ebrimson described the lockdown as “efficient and effective” in the state.
According to him, the total compliance by residents has lessened the burden of the security agents.

Ebrimson said, “I want to thank the good people of Ogun State. They have shown that they are law abiding and  civilised. They have made the burden of the  security agencies lighter by obeying the simple rule of of the lockdown.

“As you can see, there are heads of security agencies with me, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the State Security Service (SSS). We are working in partnership and collaborating together to ensure that we monitor the lockdown and everything is perfect. The lockdown is effective and efficient.

“The government has created window of 7am to 2pm, and we have equally keyed in our monitoring mechanism to ensure that with in the period, we will ensure that residents comply and disperse.”

He maintained that security agencies would deploy civility and persuasiveness to enforce compliance among residents.

“We are going to have put human face into our operation. We will be civil, we will be polite and use persuasiveness and pleading. We don’t want to subject them to mental torture. We are passing through a very difficult and trying times. So, we must give them an enabling environment to comply and cooperate with the security agencies,” the Commissioner said.

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