Gov. Ortom orders truck smuggling Almajiris into Benue to return back

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday ordered that the truck caught at Tse-Kucha in Gboko LGA on which 7 Almajiris stowed away and entered the state take them back to where it picked them.

The 7 Almajiris believed to be coming from Kano had been rounded up at Tse-Kucha by vigilant youths in the area who saw them disembarking from the truck which arrived there to convey goods.

They had then been handed over to the State COVID-19 Committee and on the directives of its Chairman, Deputy Governor, Engr. Benson Abounu, were moved to Isolation in Makurdi.

Following further directives from Governor Ortom, the truck which had been impounded at the Dangote Cement factory, was yesterday brought down to Makurdi to convey the Almajiris back to their place of origin.

Both the truck and the Almajiris were escorted to the boundary between Benue and Nasarawa states at Yelewata where the particulars of the truck were taken and strict instructions given to the taskforce there to ensure it does not return to the state.

Benue COVID-19 Committee Chairman, Engr. Abounu, has revealed that henceforth, more stringent measures will be adopted against vehicles found carrying illegal passengers into the state.

Report By Bemgba Iortyom, Member, Benue State Action Committee on COVID-19.
16/5/2020.