Abuja: 100 Arrested For Violating Executive Order On COVID-19

No fewer than 100 violators of the Federal Government’s Executive Order on compulsory wearing of face masks were arrested in Abuja on Monday.

The FCT ministerial enforcement task-team on COVID-19 arrested the persons for violating an Executive Order recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari to prevent the further spread of the virus.

THE WHISTLER visited Eagle Square, Abuja, where those arrested for different violations of the COVID-19 safety protocols were paraded before a mobile court and convicted by a magistrate.

Speaking to our correspondent at the venue, the spokesperson of the task team, Attah Ikharo, said the violators’ arrest followed a visit to Wuse Market and UTC Shopping Complex, amongst others, where the officials observed “large violations” of the Executive Order.

“In line with the presidential order, today we went around town and about 100 persons were arrested and were brought before the court. As you can see them here being tried, some are being sentenced and as we move on, some of them paid their fine returned home or places of work.

“A particular guy there, a minor, was discharged and acquitted based on his age. He was actually warned to put on his face mask and was discharged to go home. Beside that one, the magistrate in her wisdom discovered that the violations at Wuse Market, UTC and Murg Plaza opposite UTC is very high, so she ruled that the three properties be sealed for some days pending compliance,” he said.

Ikharo said Wuse Market, UTC Shopping Complex and other locations where the violations were observed would be sealed from Monday midnight.