Lockdown: NSCDC refutes maltreatment of medical personnel in Ondo

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), Ondo State Command has refuted the maltreatment of a medical personnel while carrying out government’s directive of dusk to dawn curfew of 7pm to 7am to contain the spread of deadly COVID-19 in the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by state Commandant, Mr Philip Ayuba and made available to the newsmen by Mr Ayodeji Olufemi, command PRO on Sunday in Akure.

Ayuba said that the NSCDC had been notified to some news peddling the social media that the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Ondo State, Dr Adeyemi Osowe, was molested after identifying himself before the Security agencies enforcing the dusk to dawn curfew in Shoprite and Kajola Junction Akure in Ondo State on Thursday 16th April, 2020.

According to him, In a media publication by Dr Adeyemi Osowe; it was clearly stated that some security operatives and the Civil Defence officers at Shoprite Junction and Kajola Junction in Akure treated him like a leper while returning from an official duty.

“Thereby calling on the Ondo State Commandant to call his men to order because the officers are …..” a crop of uneducated, uncivilized and very arrogant, barbaric and crude personnel,”Ayuba quoted media.

According to him, in view of the above, it has become very imperative for the authorities of NSCDC after thorough investigation to explicitly intimate the general public about the exact and true picture of the situation to avoid distortion and misinformation

Ayuba noted that the medical practitioner in question acted abruptly while the NSCDC men where devoutly carrying out the Government directive of dusk to dawn curfew( 7pm to 7am).

He explained that the NMA PRO who was driving across Kajola Junction after the stipulated hour in a marked Toyota Hilux with government number plate briskly came down, stretched forth his hands, confronted and shouted at the officers on duty asking them to arrest him.

He said that some concerned citizens, government functionaries and other meaningful Nigerians waiting patiently for their vehicle to be passed did expressed their gross displeasure and dissatisfaction at his behavior.

“It is noteworthy to relay that Dr Adeyemi Osowe later confirmed to the authorities of NSCDC that he was initially maltreated and harassed at the Shoprite check point by some security operatives not Civil Defence personnel

“And due to this; the aggression was visibly transferred as he angrily highlighted form his car to create a scene at kajola junction where NSCDC officers were stationed.

“Consequently, the NMA PRO further confirmed that our officers did not harass, molest or demand any bribe from him; it was an officer of the corps who hails from the same town with the Doctor that helped him back into his car after displaying so much vexation and transfer of aggression.

“On this note it is very important to affirm that the act of circulating fake news or misinformation is so callous, unpatriotic and a deliberate attempt to degrade the good image, efforts and sacrifices being made by Security agencies on official duty. It is highly condemnable, totally deplorable and despicable.

” NSCDC will in no way molest, intimidate or ill treat the citizens meant to be defended,” Ayuba said.

He affirmed that the Civil Defence in collaboration with Sister Agencies had remained committed to the protection of lives and property, maintenance of peace, law and order and combating crimes in Ondo State.

He said that command partnership with the government to provide adequate security, peace, good habitability and well being of the citizens most especially to contain the spread of deadly COVID-19 in Ondo State remains undaunted.

Ayuba, therefore, reiterated his directive that any officer caught in the act of accidental discharge, violation of human rights, extortion and other misconduct would be dealt with decisively in accordance to the law.

The commandant called on members of the public to Call/WhatsApp via: +2348039296208, +2348031525125, +2348066345088 +2348067919140 to report any case of violation of human rights by any of NSCDC Officers and men.

Source: NAN