No fewer than 11 trucks conveying Almajiris into Cross River State have been intercepted at the Gakem-Benue boundary community in Bekwarra Local Government Area of the state.
The Cross River Government, in collaboration with Peace Corps Nigeria, intercepted and sent back the 11 trucks carrying Quoranic education pupils ‘Almajiri’ at the Gakem-Benue border in the state.
Head of the Task Force team at the boundary, Mr. Omang-Idiege, said that the trucks were turned back at Gakem-Benue border for carrying large numbers of Almajiris against the inter-state lockdown order of the Federal Government.
Idiege, who is the state Commissioner for Youth Development and Skill Acquisition in the state, said the 11 trucks were sent back to their places of origin between May 4 to 17, adding that the Task Force had continued to maintain a steady presence at the border.
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Idiege said it was the desire of Governor Ben Ayade, to ensure that the state remain Coronavirus-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 Governor 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.
