Wike arrests five for violating lockdown

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has personally arrested five persons for violating complete lockdown he recently declared in some parts of Port Harcourt to check the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Governor effected the arrest while monitoring compliance to his order in parts of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas.

The suspects, who were not on essential duties, were reportedly handed over to security agencies.

In his recent statewide broadcast, Wike ordered a 24-hour lockdown on Elekahia, Rumukalagbor-Elekahia link road; Rumuomasi, including Stadium road and Rumuobiokani.

Wike drove through Elekahia and Rumuomasi where he observed full compliance of the lockdown with security personnel manning strategic points on the roads.

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At Rumuobiokani, Wike arrested two women on leisure drive and handed them over to the security personnel while at Rumuomasi roundabout, the Governor nabbed a male motorcyclist.

At Elekahia, the Governor allowed a woman on essential duties to continue with her movement after she presented her identity card.

Wike urged Rivers residents to cooperate with the State Government to ensure that coronavirus was kept at bay adding that the stringent measures were for the good of the people.

He said: “We urge all residents to simply comply with the established directives and protocols on the lockdown and social distancing and save our State from the COVID-19 scourge.”