AREWATRUST WEEKLY Kaduna residents react to enforcement of face mask
People in Kaduna State have continued to react to the enforcement of the face mask by the state government using law enforcement agencies toward containing the coronavirus pandemic.
Arewa Trust Weekly reports that there are a number of check-points manned by security agents, including the Nigeria Police, the Kaduna State Law Enforcement Agency (KASLEA), some special marshals with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) within and around the state metropolis checking to see if residents are complying with the use of face masks directive.
It could be recalled that after the state government relaxed the COVID-19 lockdown, the use of face masks was made compulsory with a mobile court in place to fine erring residents.
However, residents are complaining over alleged harassment by security agents manning such check points.
Murtala Usman, a resident of Kawo in Kaduna North said, “I was in my car alone driving along Ali Akilu Road when I came across a checkpoint manned by KASLEA personnel. Immediately I approached, they asked me to park by the side of the road and I complied, though I had not broken any law but only for them to tell me that they were taking me to a mobile court for not wearing a face mask in public.
“I stood my ground and argued that I was alone in the car with my face mask in my hand when I came out from the car. They would have made me part with my hard earned N5,000. Imagine what they are putting the citizenry through in these hard times.”
Another resident of Gonin Gora, Mrs. Gloria Stephen, said she also had a face off with a policeman who insisted that she had broken the law by not wearing a face mask in public.
“On my way to the neighbourhood market in my area, I was stopped by a policeman who claimed I flouted the rule on the use of facemasks in public. I was on a motorcycle with my son who was driving it.
“I tried to explain to them that the driver is my son and I planned to wear the mask when I got to the market because I could not breath properly with it on the motorcycle but all fell on deaf ears and I was taken to one of the mobile courts and fined N5000. It was very painful because that was the money I wanted to use to buy foodstuff in the market.”
She called on the state government not to compound the hardship people have been facing since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic but rather find ways to help the masses.
On his part, Mustapha Matazu, a tricyclist, said he only wore face mask to stop being harassed by security agents. “If I do not wear it, they will stop me from providing daily bread to my family that is why I just wear it and at times, when I misplace it, I just look for any other one and put on my face so they don’t stop me.”
Arewa Trust Weekly further gathered that many residents wore face mask to stop harassment from security agents rather than preventing the spread of the virus.