Godwin Akor, Makurdi
The Benue State Action Committee on COVID-19, on Thursday, repatriated 58 persons, mostly youths (Almajiri) suspected to have been trafficked into the state, back to their original states of origin.
Deputy governor of the state and Chairman of the Benue COVID-19 Committee, Engr. Benson Abounu, led a Task Force to repatriate the youths suspected to be beggars from the state in the early hours of Thursday.
Engr. Abounu said the youths had been brought to the state in violation of the lockdown measures and had to be returned to the safety of their home states.
To redress the situation, the deputy governor revealed that the committee had provided transportation, as well as security and the documentation to facilitate safe passage for the repatriated youths to their homes.
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Face masks were also handed to the youths after they had been put through an orientation on safety tips necessary for them to avoid contacting and spreading the virus.
He stressed that the lockdown in the state remains in force and that everyone found violating it will face appropriate sanctions.
Engr. Abounu maintained that all measures necessary to keep Benue free of the Coronavirus would be implemented with due diligence, adding that all destitute persons from other states found in the state will be returned to their homes.