Governor Udom Emmanuel, and Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom state.
Abasifreke Effiong – Uyo.
Police officers in Akwa Ibom state who are enforcing the ban on movement of persons to stem the spread of Coronavirus are not provided with basic Personal Protective Equipments.
Officers on the joint security team mounting road blocks across the state to enforce the lockdown ordered by Governor Udom Emmanuel, do not wear nose mask or protective hand gloves.
While monitoring how citizens are complying with the stay – at – home order in Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan, Itu and Uruan local government areas on Saturday, The Dune observed that most of the security officers on duty did not wear any protective equipment. Only a handful wore nose masks, none was sighted wearing a pair of hand gloves.
READ : Staff who had contacts with COVID-19 patients abscond from hospital in Akwa Ibom
To be sure that the security officers who were not wearing any protective vests did not have any, this reporter bought a pack of un-medicated nose mask, non – sterile hand gloves and hand sanitizers and gave to the officers at some of the security checkpoints in Uyo.
When this reporter sought to know from some of the security officers why they were not wearing any protective vests, they said they were not given any.
“We are not given anything to protect ourselves. That is why we are not wearing anything”, a policeman said.
“Nothing nothing my brother. No hand sanitizer, nothing”, another police officer added.
This was corroborated by all other security officers at checkpoints in the state capital whom The Dune chatted with.
The officers who received either nose mask, hand gloves or hand sanitizers given out by this reporter expressed deep gratitude.
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The prices of Personal Protective Equipments have skyrocketed in Uyo. On Saturday, a pack of un -medicated, disposable nose mask sold for N12,000, while a pack of non – sterile hand gloves sold for N4,500.
READ ALSO : Prices of food, sachet water, PPEs skyrocket in Akwa Ibom
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Akwa Ibom, the state government is yet to provide palliative either to security officers or citizens of the state.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom state, Fredrick Nnudam said the police did not have a budget for supply of protective vests.
He said the police will appreciate donation of such equipments from public spirited persons.
“The Nigeria Police never had a supplementary budget to get supplies of those items. We are relying on the people we are policing for, to assist us. But If we don’t get the needed supply, we will abdicate our responsibility of enforcing the law. We will continue to do the best we can until when we get support from members of the public.”
There about 7000 police officers in Akwa Ibom state.
• Policeman who manhandled medical doctor who was on official duty has been demoted.
The erring police office, Sgt. Edidiong Alexander, has been demoted to the rank of corporal, according a statement by the police PRO.
Sgt Edidiong Alexander attached to Safer Highway assaulted Dr. Daniel David Edet, an assistant registrar at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
The Commissioner for Police ordered his arrest and detention.
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The erring officer while in detention was subjected to orderly room trial in line with the Police Act and Regulations and was found guilty by the adjudicating officer.
The orderly room proceeding was reviewed and he was reduced in rank from Sergeant to Corporal.
Also, the CP had met with the Chairman NMA , Chairman Resident Doctors Association and the victim where he apologized to the entire members of the Nigeria Medical Association Akwa Ibom State Branch, for the unwholesome act/ conduct of the police officer and assured the victim of the required medical attention, and enjoined them to continue to work with the police in this trying time in order to contain COVID-19.
He subsequently directed all Area Commanders and DPOs to effectively supervise their officers and men, and warned them to discharge their duties professionally as any further act of indiscipline would be met with unpalatable consequences.
