There are palpable fears among residents of Aba and Umuahia (the two densely populated cities in Abia State) following reports that some almajiris from Kano State were on their way to the state.
Reports also have it that the State Government has directed the Commissioner of Homeland Security, Hon. Prince Dan Okoli and his team to ensure that security was beefed up around the borders of the state where the almajiris is suspected to be ferried into the state.
Investigation by our reporter has it that the officials of the Homeland security who were acting on the orders of the state government on Monday night refused all vehicles coming from the Northern Nigeria entrance into the state at the Lokpa axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
Sources within the area told our reporter that among the people barred from entering the state was those who claimed to be traders coming to Aba to buy clothing and other things that they needed to buy to restock their shops.
Abia State Government on Tuesday claimed that it received intelligence report on the planned movement of a group of almajiris from a neighbouring state within the next 24 hours.
A release signed by the Information Commissioner in the state, Chief John Okiyi-Kalu has it that the state government on Monday evening, received reports that the almajiris from Kano State would be arriving the state Tuesday.
“Reports available to us indicate that they are leaving their state this night to arrive Abia State tomorrow.
“The State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has therefore directed all security agencies in the state, especially those posted to inter-state boundary communities, members of the State and LGAs enforcement task force teams as well as the inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19, to ensure that within this period of the subsisting border closure necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic, no individual or group is allowed to enter the state, aside from those duly exempted, from any other part of the country.
“The Governor also directs men and officers of the State Homeland Security Ministry to deploy immediately to relevant inter-state boundary communities to ensure there is no unauthorized entry.
“We wish to reemphasize that traditional rulers and TC Chairmen of inter-state boundary communities will be held responsible and sanctioned for any of such unauthorized entry into the state.
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“All necessary lawful measures must be taken to stop the entry of not only the almajiris but also other unlawful migrants into the state till the FG-backed inter-state border closure regulation put in place to control spread of COVID-19 from one state to another is lifted,” Okiyi-Kalu claimed in the report.
