The Cross River State Government on Thursday ordered the return of five trucks loaded with almajiris and other passengers back to the north.
A border patrol team, comprising Peace Corp members, civilian vigilantes, COVID-19 border taskforce, and youth groups intercepted the trucks on Wednesday night at the Garkem border town in Bekwara LGA near Benue State border.
Signor Omang Idiege, who is Commissioner for Youths, said it was as a result of intensive search and blockade of interstate vehicular travels that led his team to intercept the trucks.
“After a thorough check on the five trucks, we discovered that most of the passengers, aside goods, were almajiris who did not meet COVID-19 protocols, we had to force them to return”.
He appealed to the Chairman of COVID-19 Taskforce in the state to visit the truck parks in the state and caution their drivers against indulging conveying almajiris who have not been isolated.
State security adviser, Dr Alfred Mboto, said his officers at the scene have briefed him about the development.
He said: “We got a report from our security and taskforce teams at the Garkem border town on Wednesday night that trucks carrying large number of children from the north alleged to be almajiris were intercepted after thorough check, and have been turned back.”
