TheCable

The Lagos police command has paraded 172 fun seekers for violating the COVID-19 protocol at Cubana nightclub, Victoria Island axis of the state.

Police officers stormed the clubhouse in the early hours of Saturday, and arrested the fun seekers following information received of a large gathering at the venue.

Parading the suspects on Monday, Hakeem Odumosu, the state commissioner of police, said the suspects were arrested for violating the COVID-19 protocol and would be charged to court.

Odumosu said the owner of the club fled the scene on sighting police officers, adding that some members of staff were among those arrested

He noted that due to the pandemic, social engagements involving large gatherings are banned, while in some cases, it will be subject to the approval of the Lagos state safety commission.

“Despite all the efforts by the state and the policies being rolled out, most youths who are the leaders of tomorrow still find it difficult to comply. Ladies and gentlemen were arrested in the early hours of Saturday — around 2am — at Cubana nightclub, Victoria Island,” he said.

“There were 172 of them in a club — no social distance, no face masks — which creates an environment for COVID-19 to spread. They have violated the law of the state, and the law will take its course.

“Whatever decision the court takes, we will comply. Ours is to get them arrested for violating the COVID-19 regulation and charge them to court. It is at the discretion of the magistrate or presiding judge to decide what punishment will be meted on them for violating the law.”

This is not the first time in recent weeks that security agencies will raid clubhouses in the state and arrest fun seekers for violating the COVID-19 protocol.

In December 2020, the Lagos police had shut down Cubana nightclub for violating the COVID-19 protocol.

Meanwhile, on January 27, President Muhammadu Buhari signed a new law prescribing six months imprisonment for any person convicted of disobeying any COVID-19 regulation.