The Federal Government has warned that the security services will arrest and ensure the prosecution of printers and users of fake vehicle exemption pass which facilitates movement by emergency personnel and providers of other essential services during the current lockdown aimed at combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, said that it has come to the attention of the Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq that, some nefarious elements have forged and printed replicas of the pass for vehicles and tags for personnel which they sell to individuals who are bent on violating the lockdown ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari, especially in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The Minister lamented that some individuals have been using forged Covid-19 exemption pass to deceive security agents charged with the responsibility of enforcing the lockdown order which is aimed at preventing the spread of the virus.
“The lockdown is aimed at stopping spreading the virus through community infection in Nigeria which had grave consequences in other countries,” Sadiya noted
The Minister strongly urged members of the public to obey government directives, respect the law and protect themselves against Coronavirus infection by shunning those forging documents to facilitate unnecessary movements.
It can be recalled that the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has disclosed that since the start of the lockdown, the Command has arrested nine suspects who produced fake COVID-19 exemption tags and seven suspects who used the tags to defy the Presidential lockdown order.
The FCT, Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma warns that all persons arrested in possession of fake exemption vehicles pass or personnel tags, risk prosecution.
Signed
Salisu Na’inna Dambatta
For Honourable Minister
25th April, 2020
