The Deputy Defence Minister has urged the media to desist from reporting on excesses of security operatives engaged in the enforcement of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Speaking to JoyNews’ Joseph Opoku Gakpo, Major Rtd Derrick Oduro noted that brutalities by the security operatives have been minor and should not overshadow successes of the Operation Covid- 19 Safety taskforce.
“We don’t have to spend time and energy giving publicity to recalcitrant populace who do not want to abide by the lockdown directive.
“If someone prevents you from moving [particularly if you don’t need to], we must not condemn them.
“We must condemn the individuals who don’t adhere to the rules because what the taskforce is doing is in our own interest.”
Since President Nana Akufo-Addo imposed movement restriction in some parts of the country, a joint police and military taskforce was deployed to ensure the enforcement of the directive.
However, there have been numerous concerns of security operatives allegedly brutalising civilians for not complying with the instruction.
Commenting on this, Major Oduro said it is better for a soldier to “brush your face with a cane” than for people to die from coronavurus.
“We know we are supposed to arrest people and arraign them before court for punishment, but we say it is humanitarian exercise so we want to go soft on the public.
“And besides, most of the videos circulating on social media are fake,” he added.
He, however, assured citizens that incidents of excesses will be investigated.
The Deputy Defence Minister further added that the morale of the security operatives is being affected negatively due to the excessive criticisms by citizens.
“Let us have good thoughts and intentions so that together, we can all fight the spread of the virus,” he said.