COVID-19: Police arrests Cote D’ Ivoire returnee, cab driver in Delta

The Delta State Police Command on Monday confirmed the arrest of a lady who just returned from Cote D’Ivoire and her driver at Udu local government area of the state.

They were arrested over coronavirus.

The command spokesperson, Onome Ovovwapoyeya, who confirmed the development in a statement, said the duo have been handed over to health officials.

She said the lady and the driver have been placed on isolation for 14 days and would be monitored by the health officials.

The police, however, warned that any officer found extorting money from motorists and commuters to allow them into the state during 14 days lockdown would be disciplined by the command.

She said: “A lady who came in through the land borders from Cote D’Ivoire was apprehended and handed over to the health officials.

“They asked for a certificate if she has been cleared from a test result and she had nothing to present, which made us hand her over. This was at Udu area of the state. Also, a driver she chartered was handed over to the officials for the due tests.

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“On alleged extortion by police officers, we are having a lot of challenges having to contain motorists. One of which is that there are people exempted, and markets have been opened in strategic locations. Before you know it you have a lot of people moving around with excuses. Even when they are held, they have one or two persons they will call for intervention.

“That is making the whole exercise difficult for officers and men. But even at that, we are trying our best. But that doesn’t give them the right to collect money from motorists and commuters. Because anyone caught would be dealt with decisively. But we cannot be everywhere at the same time, even as we are monitoring.

“We appeal to residents to call in whenever they encounter such illegal activities so we can take necessary actions.”

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