The Commissioner of Police in Enugu, Ahmed Ammani, has ordered area commanders, divisional police officers and commanders of tactical and operational units to go after hoodlums trying to enforce the sit-at-home order in the state.

Mr Ammani gave the order on Saturday in Enugu following pockets of violence by armed-wielding hoodlums bent on causing fear and social unrest among residents.

He directed them to deploy all intelligence and operational resources at their disposal to effectively patrol and fish out miscreants that might want to disrupt public peace and security.

“You are directed to ensure that there is no disruption of businesses and other activities of law-abiding residents under the guise of enforcing illegitimate sit-at-home order in any part of the state,” he added.

Mr Ammani reassured law-abiding residents that the command, and other security agencies would protect their lives and property against any attack by the criminal elements.

The commissioner said: “I urge all and sundry to remain vigilant, go about their lawful businesses and resist succumbing to the antics of the miscreants, including the spread of tension-causing fake news.

“I also enjoin law-abiding residents to continue to support and cooperate with the police and other security agencies, in their unwavering quest to quell the activities of criminal elements.”

He also called on the people of the state to remain law-abiding, security conscious and promptly report suspected criminals to the nearest police station.

Residents were asked to “call the Command’s emergency hotlines on: 08032003702, 08075390883, 08098880172 or 08086671202,” or email infoenugupolice@gmail.com.

Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored at the New Market axis of Enugu where the hoodlums fired guns to scare residents in the early hours of Saturday.

The command had already deployed a crack team of police operatives to hunt down the armed hoodlums.

(NAN)