By M. Peter – Jos
Traders in Plateau whose businesses were not exempted in the business lockdown ordered by Plateau state government have resisted attempts by police to close their shops.
Security operatives in Plateau state had a difficult task trying to prevent traders who do not deal in essential commodities from opening their shops and displaying their wares against the directive by the State government that markets and other public places be shut.
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The security personnel mainly from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps attempted to commence the enforcement of the order banning unnecessary gathering as they patrolled major streets in Jos the State capital.
Our Correspondent witnessed patrol vans along Masalachi Juma’a, Ahmadu Bello Way, Rwang Pam street, Polo roundabout with personnel urging the traders to shut their shops but immediately the van leaves, shop owners open their shops to attend to customers.
At the different banks in the State, queues were seen everywhere as customers get screened one by one before being allowed into the banking halls.
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In all banks visited, only 10 customers were allowed to be at the banking halls at a time and social distances were observed even as containers of hand sanitizers dotted available spaces for customers to use.
A trader, Uche Simon told this medium, “It is not easy for us to close shops because there was no prior notice. We depend on daily sales to cater for our families, we are taking precautionary measures by using hand sanitizer and washing our hands frequently but staying indoors is not what anyone would want to do now because who will feed you?”
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Another trader Yusuf Ahmed added, “We are careful but one thing must kill a man. Staying indoors in such short notice is not the best. We would have been told before now so that we can prepare. Government means well for us but we also need food for our family.”
However, Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Gabriel Uba confirmed that the enforcement has commenced and modalities that would be adopted to make people comply would be made known in due course.
