The Ashanti Region Police Command has threatened to deal ruthlessly with residents who fail to comply with the lockdown directives to limit the spread of coronavirus in Ghana.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, ASP Godwin Ahianyo, said some residents have been flouting the directives in Greater Kumasi because the taskforce enforcing the restriction on movements has been lenient.

Speaking on Adom FM’s current affairs show, Burning Issues on Monday, March 30, 2020, the regional police PRO said: “If we meet you in town without any reasonable excuse, we will not take it kindly with you.”

He said the 'Operation COVID Safety', which came into force after 1:00 a.m. on Monday faced initial challenges because a large number of people were trying to enter Kumasi from Accra around 2 a.m. on Monday.

He said residents in the affected areas were also deliberately roaming aimlessly.

He said this disrupted the deployment plan, however, after a crunch meeting, the regional command has re-strategised to strictly apply the laws to offenders.

President Akufo-Addo as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 has instituted a partial lockdown in the Greater Accra region, Awutu Senya East district and Greater Kumasi.

The lockdown exempts only essential service providers and those in the food chain supply to operate within the 14 days.

ASP Ahianyo was, however, emphatic that his outfit was not going to physically assault recalcitrant residents but would ensure they are dealt with by the law to deter others.

We will move with police and military bus in town tomorrow and if we meet you without any concrete reason, we will arrest you to our office and process you for court. We won’t beat anybody because if you beat people, you’ll let them go but if they face the law, it will serve as a deterrent to others. He explained in Twi to host, Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom.

He, however, debunked allegations of some people who were beaten by the taskforce and said those who wanted to enter Kumasi at dawn were asked to return.

No mentally disabled person was seen in town, according to ASP Ahianyo.