The Kano State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of fifteen suspects for allegedly violating the lockdown order of the state government.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kano, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kano.
DAILY POST reports that Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, had on April 14, ordered a total lockdown of the state for seven days to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Haruna said that the suspects were arrested for allegedly leading the Juma’at prayer congregation in violation of the state’s social distancing and lockdown order.
The spokesman said the suspects were arrested at Kano Municipal, Garko, Gwale, Karaye, and Tarauni Local Government Areas of the state.
According to him, the suspects committed the offence on April 17 at about 1:30 pm, adding that they were apprehended by members of the Kano State Hisbah Board and some residents of the state who transferred the case to the police.
“The suspects (names withheld) were arrested for defying the lockdown order by leading Friday congregational prayer in the state,” he said.
“The suspects aged between 28 and 40-years-old would be charged to court.”
Haruna said the command had deployed personnel to enforce compliance with the lockdown, warning that defaulters would be prosecuted.
“Police patrol vehicles and operatives have been deployed to the streets of Kano to enforce compliance with lockdown order,” he said.
Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases in Kano State is now 59, according to NCDC.
