Inter State Travel Ban: Kwara Govt Reads Riot Act To Violators

By Steve Oni, Ilorin

In line with the ban on inter state movement as ordered by the federal government in order to contain community spread of the coronavirus pandemic on Nigeria, the Kwara State Government has warned that it would no longer tolerate and accommodate any new entrant into the state.

Deputy Governor and Chairman Covid-19 Technical Committee Kayode Alabi stated this on Monday while meeting with the leadership of the Hausa community in the state in his Office, adding that some of the COVID-19 index cases in Kwara State were from non-residents intercepted by security personnel in the state.

He, therefore, urged the executive members of the community to inform their people to stay anywhere they are until after the pandemic.

The Covid-19 Technical Committee Chairman added that the virus does not show on faces and the moment a carrier mingles with others, it increases community spreading. For this reason, he said, the government would not allow any visitor in as it is presently trying to curb community transmission of the dreaded disease except those on essential services or those granted special permissions.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hajia Aisha Ahman-Patigi had noted that the government could not address the migration problem, especially from the north without involving the Hausa community in the state.

Hajia Ahman-Patigi drew reference from the prophetic saying that “when there is pandemic in any community, everyone should remain where they are” and urged the Hausa Community to cooperate with the government in the fight against COVID-19.

On his part, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman, Assistant Wakili, Serikin Hausawa, Kwara State, who represented the Seriki, appreciated Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his efforts in containing the spread of the virus and pledged the cooperation of the community to support the committee in its resolve to curb the disease.

He further appreciated the Kwara State Government for the palliatives given to them.