COVID-19: Police not responsible for petrol attendant killed in Abia — Lai Mohammed

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minster of Information, Culture and Tourism, says the Nigerian Police is not responsible for the alleged killing of a petrol attendant in Abia.

The minster said this at the daily press briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Thursday in Abuja.

It was reported that there had been insinuations that the petrol attendant who died in Abia was allegedly killed by police personnel.

The minster, however, said that the petrol attendant was hit by an on coming vehicle while the people were protesting against a tricycle that was allegedly hit by the police.

“What happened was that the policeman hit a tricycle (Keke Napep) and while the people were protesting, another oncoming vehicle hit the petrol attendant leading to his death,” he said.

He called on the task force in the state to ensure the protection of human rights while on duty, adding that they should respect the rights of the people as they strive to maintain law and order.

Dr Sabi Aliyu, the Coordinator, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), promised that the PTF would ensure that people’s rights were respected during the lockdown.

He said the PTF was aware of challenges faced by Nigerians in the course of the lockdown and would not do anything to jeopardise the success it had recorded in the fight against COVID-19.

Aliyi said the PTF would look at the outcome of the lockdown and make appropriate recommendations to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said that it was expedient for the PTF to continue to synergise with task force groups in the states in order to take necessary steps against the against COVID-19 pandemic.