Senate condemns ‘barefaced breach of presidential order on interstate movements’

The Senate on Tuesday condemned the breach of the presidential order on interstate movements.

President Muhammadu Buhari had announced the gradual easing of the lockdown of Lagos, Ogun and Abuja, from Monday, May 4.but placed a ban on interstate movements, except for essential services, to checkmate further spread of the virus in the country.

However, there have been many reports of violation of the prohibition of interstate movements

The Senate lamneting the violation of the prohibition of interstate journeys enjoined Nigerians to strictly comply with these orders for their own safety and to quicken the nation’s victory over the COVID-19 pandemic;

The Senate condemning the barefaced breach of the presidential order on interstate movements directed the Inspector-General of Police, Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and heads of all security agencies charged with enforcing the ban on interstate travel to investigate the alleged complicity of their officers in the breach of the curfew and ban non-essential interstate travels and bring to book anyone found wanting;

The Senate also asked all security agencies to ensure that their various commands cooperate with respective State authorities in enforcing the presidential orders and other protocols aimed at rolling back the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his remarks, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said there is the need for the total enforcement on the ban on interstate travels as it is a serious matter.

He said beyond the ban, however, there is the need to also ensure hygiene and other measures to prevent the spread of Covid19. Urgent need for the Federal Government to take drastic actions to bring to an end the act of banditry and kidnappings Niger East Senatorial District Sponsor: Senator Musa, Mohammed Sani (Niger East)

Recall that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Saturday it turned back 791 vehicles from Ogun and Lagos States’ boundaries within five days, while enforcing the Federal Government’s restrictions on interstate movements.

Mr Samuel Obayemi, FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of the two states, said that the operatives of the corps, turned back 149 vehicles at the Lagos boundaries and 642 vehicles at Ogun boundaries between Monday, the first day of the lockdown ease, and Friday.

According to him, the corps recorded nine road traffic crashes that claimed three lives and injured 26 persons during the period.

”In the last five days when the Federal Government eased the lockdown, but placed a ban of interstate movements, the FRSC operatives turned back a total of 791 vehicles to their originating places at both  the Ogun and Lagos borders.

“It is unfortunate that we also recorded nine crashes where three persons were killed and 26 injured.

”We will continue to do our jobs of enforcing of  the Federal Government ban on interstate movement except for essential services or commodities,” Obayemi said.

Also the Kaduna State Government had decried violation of the prohibition of interstate journeys, saying that the violations have raised the number of COVID-19 cases in the state.

A statement issued on Friday in Kaduna by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, said that most of the recent cases of COVID-19 in the state had travel history.

According to him, the illegal travels have increased the danger of community transmission, as infections have “now been recorded in some mainly rural local governments on the borders of the state.”

“The Standing Committee on COVID-19 appeals for vigilance and active involvement of all citizens in the effort to avert this peril.”

He said that the state COVID-19 taskforce has confirmed seven new cases on Thursday, as such the “State now has 82 active cases, having discharged 10 patients and recorded one fatality.

“The latest cases include four persons with travel history outside the state, a senior citizen who received many visitors at home and two persons in the police barracks who are contacts of one of the policemen who tested positive.”

According to Adekeye, positive Covid-19 test results have been recorded from Giwa, Igabi, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Makarfi, Soba and Zaria local government areas.