Mr Terngu Gwar, Kaduna State Cordinator of the National Human Right Commission (NHRC), has urged residents to adhere strictly to governnment’s lockdown order to avoid harrasment by security operatives.
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Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kaduna, Gwar said effective compliance would reduce harassment and effectively contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
NAN reports that the Kaduna State Government on April 26 extended its lockdown by 30 days to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“It is necessary to comply with the order because it is in the interest of the public, as the disease is real and affecting not only Nigeria as a county, but the world at large.
”The aim of the stay-at-home order is to ensure social distancing, as it is one of the major preventive measures against the virus,” he said.
Gwar however condemned the alleged killing of some residents and injuring of several others by security operatives in the state while enforcing the quarantine order.
He stressed that the killing showed the low level of professionalism by security operatives in dealing with the civil populace and their reckless disregard for human lives.
According to the coordinator, the commission will do its best to protect residents from violation of their human rights, in spite of the lockdown.
Gwar noted that victims of harassment have been unable to lodge complaints due to the lockdown, but assured that the commission officials would visit any area where it leaned of such violations.
He admonished security operatives to be professional in their discharge of their duties and always safeguard human lives.
Gwar commended the Kaduna state goverrnment for its efforts in containing the spread of COVID-19 in the state and urged residents to support it.