113 arrested at Lagos nightclubs for violating COVID protocol

The Lagos police command has arrested 113 people in two nightclubs in the state for violating the COVID-19 protocol. 

The funseekers, who were arrested in the early hours of Sunday at Garbana nightclub in Ajao Estate and DNA nightclub, Victoria Island, were paraded on Monday.

TheCable had reported how the Lagos state government sealed 11 facilities, including event centres, lounges and nightclubs, over the weekend for breaching the COVID protocol.

The development comes about a week after 172 people were arrested for the same offence at Cubana nightclub, Victoria Island axis of the state.

Speaking during the parade of the suspects on Monday, Hakeem Odumosu, the Lagos police commissioner, lamented the refusal of residents to adhere to the guidelines for preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

“It is disturbing that young people are not ready to respect the law. This is why more youths have the virus. It is very difficult to maintain social distance inside a nightclub. They sweat because of dancing and then loud music will not allow people to have conversations without close contacts,” Odumosu said.

“We got information early on Sunday about clubbers, and operatives were deployed to the premises. In one of the nightclubs, despite that the place has been sealed earlier, the owners removed the seal and continued their unlawful business. Then, at the other place, some of the clubbers jumped to the ceiling to hide to avoid being arrested.

“So many of them were in the ceiling and when it was no longer comfortable for them, some jumped down. Two of those who jumped fell into another compound and sustained injuries. Why should people subject themselves to all these troubles?”

Odumosu said all the arrested persons would be charged to court.