The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, Sunday counselled Nigerians to avoid social visits to police stations and other police offices as confirmed cases of coronavirus rise to 30 in the country.
Adamu in a statement issued by the Force Spokesman, Frank Mba, also urged citizens to minimise official visits to police stations, except where absolutely necessary.
He implored Nigerians to voluntarily adhere to directives guiding against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
The statement read: “The IGP, while urging officers to observe personal safety measures, further directs the Zonal AIGs and Command CPs to ensure that cases of unnecessary arrests and detention of suspects are not condoned.
“He reiterates that detention of suspects must be reduced to the barest minimum and that only very serious cases such as terrorism, armed robbery, homicide and other non-bailable offences should warrant detention.
“The IGP further directs that adequate measures be emplaced to screen persons to be committed to police custody.
“The IGP enjoins citizens to avoid social visits to police stations and other police offices and minimise official visits, except where absolutely necessary.”
The IGP also directed zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and state police commissioners to strictly enforce the directives on a social restriction order imposed by the government in their respective jurisdiction.