Following the unrest in Agege, Apapa, Ikotun and other parts of Lagos State. Hoodlums breaking into homes and attacking people during the lockdown, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday ordered a Joint security patrol to deal with the hoodlums and miscreants attacking innocent citizens and making away with their properties.
He disclosed that the State government will begin the payment of cash transfer to 250,000 needy youths. According to Prof Akin Abayomi the commissioner for health, the state officials discovered 119 people who showed symptoms of COVID-19 during the community testing.
In a briefing with the State House correspondents following the emergency meeting with heads of security agencies in the State where issues concerning the miscreants and hoodlums breaking into houses were discussed. Sanwo-Olu assured that one of the key responsibilities of his administration is to ensure the safety of his citizens. He also disclosed that 100 suspects have been arrested in that last 72 hours on the account of disturbance. All of the hundred arrested have reportedly been charged to the court.
In addition, he stated that all those hoodlums seen in the viral attack videos are not acting on the basis of hunger, they are just opportunist criminals which the law will melt deserving punishment. The Federal Government is aware of the unrest as the State Government kept them informed.
The Inspector-General of Police sent to Lagos State a Deputy Inspector General of Police who is a well-experienced crime fighter. The Deputy Inspector of Police would be our Intervention Squad Coordinator to help devise a superior strategy to stop and nab all the hoodlums. To also curtail threats of violence in Lagos especially during this period.
In effect of this revised strategy, there would be mobile police stationed in areas in Lagos especially those most affected by the unrest. Police would also intensify their patrols in streets and neighbourhoods. Army, Naval, Airforce and Directorate of State Security Service would not be left out. Sanwo-Olu focused his address on four pressing issues, Medical update, federal government lockdown directive; Insecurity and palliatives.
During this address, he made it known that these are trying times and they are tough and also are uncertain times. On the medical update, the governor stated that from 4 April, the number of confirmed cases in the country increased with Lagos have the most number of cases.
The death poll in the state has also increased from 1-7. However, there are also people recovering. 61 people have recovered, this includes 2 evacuations and 3 transfers. The state has 109 active cases. While the numbers of confirmed cases are jumping on the curve, the state has been able to maintain a 25-30% discharge rate of active cases.
This shows that the medical team on coronavirus cases is working. During the briefing, he announced that 9 new patients would be discharged- 3 females and 6 males. This will bring the total number of discharged cases in Lagos to 70. Also, the state government is making plans to intensify the capacity of the isolation centres to take more affected patients.
The isolation centre at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Onikan and Yaba would be able to take 275 patients while by next week other isolation centres at Landmark and Gbagada General Hospital would be opened for use. These isolation centres will have the capacity for an additional 220 beds, including 20 intensive care units according to the State Governor.
To effectively trace, track and monitor infected cases in communities, the state for in the past week started an active search for COVID-19 cases in communities. This is an important step to take as there is a trend of community transmission in the recently confirmed cases.
Considering the population of Lagos state, it is necessary to go into the next phase of identifying new cases and managing then swiftly, he said. Finally, testing and treatment for COVID-19 are free. The governor admonished citizens to not allow anyone into the home unless there is valid identification and a letter from the Local Government Area. Also, do not pay money to anyone to get tested.
