Almajiris (File photo)
No fewer than 11 trucks conveying Almajiris into Cross River State
have been intercepted at the Gakem-Benue border in Bekwarra Local
Government Area of the state, Vanguard has reported.
The trucks were intercepted by the government with the help of Peace Corps Nigeria.
The 11 trucks carrying Quoranic education pupils “Almajiri” were
intercepted at the Gakem-Benue border in the state and sent back.
Head of the taskforce team at the border, Mr Omang-Idiege, told
Vanguard on telephone, yesterday that the trucks were turned back at
Gakem-Benue border for carrying large numbers of Almajiri against the
inter-state lockdown order of the Federal Government.
Idiege, who is the state Commissioner for Youth Development and
Skill Acquisition said the 11 trucks were sent back to their places of
origin between May 4 to 17, adding that the taskforce had continued to
maintain a steady presence at the border.
Idiege said it was the desire of Governor Ben Ayade, to ensure that
the state remain Covid-19 free, hence the effective border
surveillance.
“President Mohammadu Buhari had announced an interstate
lockdown of persons not on essential duties, I wonder why we keep being
confronted with trucks at the Gakem-Benue border conveying Almajirai.
“We will not succumb to any form of challenge or gratification
to allow any passenger vehicle or truck conveying Almajirai entrance
into the state,” he said.
He commended Ayade for his enforcement strategies and directives
that have kept the state Covid-19 free since the outbreak of the
pandemic in Nigeria.
On his part, Commandant of Peace Corps Nigeria, Dr Dominic Okweche,
said that the Corps was driven by passion to protect Cross River
borders against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Okweche said that he has deployed over 100 Peace Corps personnel across the state since the Covid-19 taskforce was inaugurated.
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