RIVERS State
Governor Nyesom Wike accused the federal government on Tuesday of playing
politics with almajirai relocation to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
Governor Nyesom Wike accused the federal government on Tuesday of playing
politics with almajirai relocation to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
He further
said “When they started relocating the almajirai in the North, the Federal
Government said nothing. Immediately they heard that we have relocated some
almajirai, they came up with the declaration that it is against the inter-state
movement. Why this double standard?” The only solution is to ensure social
distancing and proper hygiene.
said “When they started relocating the almajirai in the North, the Federal
Government said nothing. Immediately they heard that we have relocated some
almajirai, they came up with the declaration that it is against the inter-state
movement. Why this double standard?” The only solution is to ensure social
distancing and proper hygiene.
Also,
officials of Abia State Homeland Security yesterday intercepted over 20 persons
hidden in a food truck heading into the state from the North.
officials of Abia State Homeland Security yesterday intercepted over 20 persons
hidden in a food truck heading into the state from the North.
It was learnt
that the state’s team, led by the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Prince
Dan Okoli, intercepted the truck at the boundary between Abia and Enugu states
on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
that the state’s team, led by the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Prince
Dan Okoli, intercepted the truck at the boundary between Abia and Enugu states
on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
Information
Commissioner John Okiyi-Kalu confirmed the incident in a phone interview.
Commissioner John Okiyi-Kalu confirmed the incident in a phone interview.
He said over
100 persons hidden in food and animal trucks were intercepted and turned back
by the Homeland Security outfit between Monday night and Tuesday.
100 persons hidden in food and animal trucks were intercepted and turned back
by the Homeland Security outfit between Monday night and Tuesday.
Eighteen
almajirai from Sokoto State who sneaked into Ondo State in the night are to be
sent back.
almajirai from Sokoto State who sneaked into Ondo State in the night are to be
sent back.
It was
gathered that the almajirai came in a cement truck.
gathered that the almajirai came in a cement truck.
They arrived
in the state when Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu ordered total blockade of some
routes to enable security operatives function properly at the boundaries.
in the state when Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu ordered total blockade of some
routes to enable security operatives function properly at the boundaries.
Residents of
Oyemekun Road in Akure, the state capital, raised the alarm when they saw the
strangers early yesterday.
Oyemekun Road in Akure, the state capital, raised the alarm when they saw the
strangers early yesterday.
The residents
said they opted to watch the almajirai to prevent them from leaving the area to
unknown destination.
said they opted to watch the almajirai to prevent them from leaving the area to
unknown destination.
The bodies of
the almajirai were covered with cement.
the almajirai were covered with cement.
One of them
gave his name simply as Garba and told interrogators that they arrived in the
state by a bus.
gave his name simply as Garba and told interrogators that they arrived in the
state by a bus.
Garba was said
to have kept sealed lips on why they embarked on the journey to Ondo State.
to have kept sealed lips on why they embarked on the journey to Ondo State.
The Senior
Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo,
said he led the state’s Task Force Team on COVID-19 to where the almajirai were
dumped to carry out the governor’s order that they must be returned to Sokoto
State.
Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo,
said he led the state’s Task Force Team on COVID-19 to where the almajirai were
dumped to carry out the governor’s order that they must be returned to Sokoto
State.
Also, Katsina
State government yesterday set up an almajiri committee to identify, collate
data and send packing non-indigenous almajirai to their states of origin.
State government yesterday set up an almajiri committee to identify, collate
data and send packing non-indigenous almajirai to their states of origin.
Secretary to
the State Government (SSG), Mustapha Muhammed Inuwa, inaugurated the committee
on behalf of Governor Aminu Bello Masari.
the State Government (SSG), Mustapha Muhammed Inuwa, inaugurated the committee
on behalf of Governor Aminu Bello Masari.
Inuwa said the
decision was reached at a meeting of the SSGs in the 19 northern states via
telephone.
decision was reached at a meeting of the SSGs in the 19 northern states via
telephone.
The committee,
chaired by Alhaji Hussain Karadua, who is also the Governor’s Special Adviser
on Jobs and Vocation, is also expected to ensure regular coordination with
relevant government agencies on the pupils to return to their home states
chaired by Alhaji Hussain Karadua, who is also the Governor’s Special Adviser
on Jobs and Vocation, is also expected to ensure regular coordination with
relevant government agencies on the pupils to return to their home states
