The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Maitama Division, at the weekend, carried out an awareness campaign in Abuja to educate the residents on how to prevent contracting the COVID-19 pandemic.
The committee spoke with commuters, roadside traders and passersby while walking within Maitama area of the city.
Apart from sharing fliers on COVID-19 protocols, the PCRC also distributed face masks to the vulnerable persons within Maitama.
The flier has messages written in English and Hausa languages.
“COVID-19 is real, it has killed our wives, husbands and family members. So, don’t be deceived by anyone.
“Always wear your nose mask when going to the following public places: Schools, mosque or church, market or community meetings, commercial buses, taxis, Keke, bikes, hospitals and any offices.
“By taking these, you are preventing the spread and protecting yourself and family members. Together we will win this war against COVID-19,” according to the flier.
Speaking with Daily Trust after the exercise, the Vice Chairman of PCRC Maitama, Amina Garba, said the target was vulnerable persons in the society.
She said: “We told them how important it is to always wear their face mask, to always keep their distance and they told us what they think the government or other people can do for them.”
Garba, who was the chairman of the committee which executed the enlightenment campaign, expressed dismay that many residents don’t care about the virus.
“Because they have not had it, they don’t believe it.
“It is the enlightenment that’s not there.
“The taxi people, we even noticed that some carried up to seven people and when you tried to enlighten them, most of them are not interested.
“Some of them will tell you they know [about COVID-19] but there is nothing they can do because of the economic situation.
“Some of them can’t even purchase face masks. So, when we distributed to them, they were so happy and even volunteered to help us distribute,” she added.
She said over 400 face masks were distributed during the exercise.
