LALONG ORDERS FOR THE ARREST OF SHEIKH JINGIR & OTHER DEFAULTERS

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has directed security operatives to arrest Sheik Jingir and others that disregarded Government orders of social distancing and gathering of not more than 50 persons in places of worship.

Sheik Jingir in a viral video asked his followers not to obey Government orders as Corona Virus is a ploy to stop Islam.

In a public outcry,Nigerians have called for the arrest of the radical cleric who has a history of disobeying Constituted authorities.

The Secretary to the Government of the state issued a statement calling on security operatives to arrest all defaulters.

The state reads;

PRESS BRIEFING BY
SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE, PROF. DANLADI ABOK ATU ON PLATEAU
STATE COVID-19 RESPONSE.

28TH
MARCH 2020

1.    
Gentlemen
of the Press, I welcome you to this press briefing this afternoon.

2.    
As
you are aware, the Plateau State Government has been up and doing in ensuring
that it adequately prepares against the COVID-19 disease

3.    
You
will also recall that the Plateau State Government set up a Task Force on COVID-19
Response Chaired by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, Executive
Governor of Plateau State

4.    
As
of now, we have no recorded case of the disease in Plateau State.

5.    
In
order to ensure that we prevent any case from coming into the State, Government
has rolled out measures including shutting of markets; ban on festivals;
restriction of gatherings to not more than 50 people; Ban on weekly Sunday
markets at Ahmadu Bello Way, Bukuru and environs; closure of night clubs and
drinking joints etc.

6.    
We
have appraised the situation about compliance to the directives and you will
recall that the Chairman of the Task Force, His Excellency further directed the
full enforcement of the orders issued.

7.    
As
of yesterday Friday 27th March 2020, there is substantial compliance
and the Government commends the good and peace loving citizens of Plateau State
who have adhered to the directives.

8.    
However,
the government takes exception to the non-challance and flagrant disregard of
the directives by some individuals and groups who have remained recalcitrant. They
have also mobilised their followers to disobey the orders of Government, which
is meant to protect the lives of the people.

9.    
Let
me categorically make it clear that nobody is above the law and government is
taking necessary action.

10.
In
line with the directive of Government for full implementation of compliance,
the Governor has asked Security agencies to take the necessary measures on such
persons.

11.
Further
measures taken include the following:

a.      Tricycles will no longer take more
than 1 passenger

b.      Saloon cars will only take 4
passengers including the driver

c.       The Government has set up a COVID-19
Eradication Fund, which the organised private sector and well-spirited members
of the public can contribute into. The essence of it is to take care of the vulnerable
and some social challenges arising from the situation. Details will be issued
later.

d.      Effective Sunday 29th
March 2020, there will be prohibition of vehicular movement into Plateau State
from all border entry routes from 6pm to 7am. All people coming into Plateau
State should note and take note of t his and prepare their trips to avoid unnecessary
inconveniences.

12.
We
want to appeal to members of the public to continue to cooperate with the
Government as we work together to ensure that we protect the lives of our
people.

13.
We
thank you the members of the media for supporting us and we count on you to
continue to do your part.



Prof. Danladi Abok Atu

Secretary to Government of the State & Coordinating Secretary,

Plateau State COVID-19 Task Force

28th March 2020.