COVID-19: Enugu CP Directs Bail Of Offenders, Warns Against Unnecessary Detention

Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Abdurrahman has ordered the immediate bailing of suspects accused of bailable offences as a measure to curtail the spread of coronvirus in the state.

Abdurrahman stated this in a press release made available to THE WHISTLER. The statement, signed by the command’s public relations officer, Daniel Ndukwe, stated that it was in line with various social restriction orders adopted by the federal and various state governments,
including the Enugu State government.
The Inspector-General of Police IGP Mohammed Adamu had ordered the strict enforcement of such legitimate orders given by various levels of government, and warned against the unnecessary arrest and detention of suspects.

According to the statement, “CP Ahmad Abdurrahman, while entreating the good citizens of Enugu State to willingly abide by such legitimate orders and measures aimed at controlling the spread of the virus in the state, has ordered all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Heads of Tactical/Operational Units of the Command to ensure the strict enforcement of the social restriction orders and other legitimate orders by the federal and Enugu State governments.

“Furthermore, the commissioner of police, while enjoining officers and men of the command to observe personal safety measures, has directed them to stop forthwith any form of unnecessary arrest and detention of suspects in police cells within the command. He also ordered the immediate release on bail of suspects who might have been detained for offences considered not very serious and/or bailable. In line with this, suspects arrested for serious offences such murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape/defilement and others that are nonbailable, must be thoroughly screened before they are detained to avoid the spread of the virus.

“The commissioner, while calling on the good citizens of Enugu State to remain vigilant and law-abiding in this trying moment, enjoins them to avoid, except where absolutely necessary, social visits to police stations and offices as well as reduce official visits. He further reassures all and sundry of the command’s commitment to ensure the security and safety of lives and property in the state.”

The release gave the command’s hotlines as 08032003702, 08075390882 and 08086671202.