COVID-19: FG to seize international passports of Nigerian Returnees who fail to comply with PCR test

The Federal Government has revealed it would start seizing the international passports of erring Nigerian returnees, who failed to comply with the PCR test at the point of entry.

This was disclosed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, on Tuesday, November 3, in Abuja.

Mustapha said that about 65 percent of Nigerians returning to the country had failed to comply with the PCR test. This, and the recent governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States as well as the #EndSARS nationwide protests, has increased the spread of the virus in the country.

“As you may recall, the PTF announced the guidelines on the reopening of the airspace and the obligations of arriving passengers.

The PTF similarly announced sanctions as a consequence of any infraction. Having observed serious non-compliance to the level of 65%, the need has arisen to activate the sanctions which include the suspension of the passports of such defaulting individuals for six months minimum.

The next week or two remains critical. The PTF has noted with sadness the failure of Nigerians who arrived from abroad to present themselves for the in-country PCR test which they signed up for and paid before arrival.

Statistics emerging from our records show that only one out of three passengers have shown up for the in-country test,” he said.