Masquerader in police custody after defying COVID-19 orders

A masqueraded has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly violating the federal and state governments’ directives on social distancing and public gatherings.

The government on March 19 announced a ban on the gathering of 50 or more people to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the state.

The masquerader was said to have been apprehended after he allegedly confronted some policemen and threatened to deal with them if they insisted on dispersing his followers.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed these on Monday.

Oyeyemi said the masquerader was apprehended on Sunday in the Ijeja area of Abeokuta following a complaint by members of the public that some persons had gathered in their hundreds in the area.

The PPRO added that the gathering was to celebrate the traditional masquerader festival in the area.

He said the gathering created fear of a massive spread of the virus in the minds of residents of the area.

Oyeyemi stated, "Upon the report, policemen from the Ibara Division moved to the area and warned the people to disperse, but the masquerader confronted the policemen and threatened to deal with them if they insisted on dispersing his followers.

"The masquerader was subsequently arrested and taken to the station, where he was warned to be law-abiding before he was released to a reliable surety."

Punch