- State Wants Cooperation On Enforcing Movement Restrictions In South-SouthÂ
By Akanimo Kufre (The New Diplomat’s A/Ibom|C/River Correspondent)
The Cross River State Border Taskforce has turned back 5 trucks loaded with nearly 200 persons from entering the state through its border with Benue.
The trucks with haulage company brand were intercepted at Gakem — Benue border recently were loaded with people suspected to be Almajiris.
Carrying about 50 to 30 people without luggages, the trucks were turned back by security team led by Hon Signor Omang, Cross River State Commissioner for Youths and Skills Acquisition.
“There were about 5 trucks and 1 was like this one that carries drink. They came with people lying down. If the securities didn’t climb into the truck we wouldn’t have known. The funny thing is that a truck that carries about 50 to 40 persons yet without luggages to be. So they are either almajiris or herdsmen or thereabout, I think it is a great risk indeed,” the Commissioner said.
While Cross River State patrol the border day and night, the Commissioner said Benue State is not doing enough to check the smuggling of people into the state despite the interstate movement restriction.
“I don’t think Benue State is controlling this influx of persons. Some corpses were brought from Kano and we couldn’t know if they died of COVID 19 and the only option we had was to return those corpses.” Omang lamented.
Meanwhile, some individuals and groups in Cross River have appealed to the Chairman, COVID 19 team, Dr Betta Edu to visit the Calabar branch of the truck company for cautioning and adequate sanctions
In the meantime, Omang has sounded alarm for states in the southern part of the country to be vigilant at their borders as the immediate intent of immigration of such numbers of smuggled persons from the north is unknown.
“You can’t end without commending the effort of the proactive Gov Ben Ayade who has made us proud by this initiative of No Mask no movement and Total lockdown at various borders leading into the State. It is on that strength that Cross River State remains COVID-19 free.
“The south south region as a whole must be very conscious, it seems there is ulterior motive. If about 5 trucks carries 40 to 60 people, add the total number and think about their intentions. These people move without lugages, they don’t have hoes, they don’t have shovels, what is their intention?” Omang said.
