While the fight to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Nigeria continues, many state governments have begun enforcing travel restrictions, especially at their land borders, to avoid the interstate spread of the disease. Unfortunately, some commercial transporters and motorists have been frustrating these efforts by violating the travel restrictions.
Just this week, Kaduna security agencies at Kano state border, had to stop and return large vehicles (trucks) conveying passengers instead of food items into Kaduna state against travel restriction orders.
Kaduna security agencies send back large trucks conveying passengers into the state against COVID-19 travel restrictions
According to press reports, these trucks were turned back at the land border which Kano state shares with Kaduna state. The development reportedly occurred at Ikara LGA of Kaduna state in Sabon Gida village.
When speaking with newsmen at the border, Samuel Aruwan – the Commissioner of Internal Security & Home Affairs in Kaduna State said the intercepted trucks abused travel restrictions by pretending to be trucks conveying food items. He explained that further scrutiny led to the discovery of hidden passengers loaded in dozens at the back of these trucks.
The commissioner praised Kaduna security agencies for a job well-done at the state borders and urged them to keep the same pace in enforcing all of the new measures meant to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
While reports of similar issues like this Kaduna case keep growing at the borders of most Nigerian states, President Buhari has announced gradual ease of the total lockdown in Ogun, Lago, and Abuja with effect from 4th of May. Hopefully, things might begin to turn around for the better when the presidential directive takes effect at these COVID-19 epicenters from next week.
See a recent press video of Lagos state government declaring immediate compulsory use of face mask as another measure to curb the spread of COVID-19;
Coronavirus Pandemic: Lagos makes wearing face masks compulsory | TV360 Nigeria
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