OSUN LOCKDOWN ORDER DAY 6: Slight Sign of Noncompliance Observed in Ilesa Sabo/Irojo Market

Although major streets in Ilesa, were deserted and empty by residents since Wednesday 1st April, 2020 in compliance with the government’s directive for a total lockdown of the state given by the State governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola as part of measures to curtail the spread of the novel Coronavirus in the State which now has the third highest number in the country but there seemed to be a slight sign of noncompliance with the curfew order as observed on Monday 6th April 2020 by the Combined Special Task Force to Enforce Compliance in Ilesa East Local Government and Ilesa North East LCDA led by the Divisional Police Officer (D.P.O) of Nigeria Police Division B, Ijamo, Ilesa, Mr. Olugbenga Adeboye, and consequently, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland has also issued calls for the prevention of gatherings and for citizens to comply with the curfew.

The popular Sabo-Irojo Monday market sensed some violators of the curfew as some buyers and sellers gathered in the early morning and the Joint Task Force was on ground to enforce the curfew by dispersing them while some were arrested and warned.

Leaving a note of warning, DSP Olugbenga Ajiboye said those that would subsequently be arrested would be prosecuted to serve as a deterrents to others.The DPO maintained that the culprits will be liable upon conviction to a prison term of six months or fine or both as penalties as stipulated in the law just introduced in the State.

Apart from this, all roads leading in and out of the city were partially barricaded by policemen who were stationed at each junction checking occupants of vehicles, their identity cards and throwing a few questions at them before allowing them to go their way or persuading them to go back home.

It should be recalled that, following the confirmation of the second case of the deadly Coronavirus in the state, the State government had on Sunday 29th of March, 2020, announced a total lockdown for 14 days in the first instance to curb the spread of the Cororavirus, the stay-at-home order includes closure of markets and shops selling non essential commodities.

Oladimeji Lasore reporting for the Ilesa East Local Government COVID-19 Taskforce mandated by the state government to enforce compliance with the lockdown order.