The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday turned back unvaccinated staff members from its Jabi, Abuja headquarters.
Many workers and visitors without the COVID-19 vaccine cards were prevented from accessing the complex in compliance with the directive of the Presidential Steering Committee that unvaccinated federal workers would not be allowed into their offices from December 1.
Addressing journalists on the reason for the enforcement, the secretary of the Commission, Mr George Ekpungu, said the exercise became necessary following the emergence of the Omicron variant in the country.
He said the EFCC Chairman, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, had given the directive for the enforcement to ensure all staff were vaccinated.
Ekpungu said, “You will agree with me that the cases of COVID-19 are on the increase worldwide and we must be on the lookout in order to ensure that our staff are safe.
“We have been sensitising staff internally but felt the need to make it public to encourage others to copy from us. The chairman and management have promised to decide on measures to be taken about those who have refused to be vaccinated.”
“The COVID-19 protocols were not instituted by the EFCC. They are international and national protocols. For those who said they will not take the vaccine, they will continue to stay locked out until they take a decision. We also have vaccines at our clinic here for those who are interested,’’ he added.
