Presidency Laments About People Being Smuggled In Trucks Out Of Lagos Amid COVID-19 Lockdown

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has lamented about the people who are being smuggled in trucks out of Lagos State despite lockdown order to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Niger State Government on Wednesday turned back trailer filled with over 50 people who were returning from Lagos State amid the coronavirus movement restrictions.

The truck was stopped by security personnel in the Gidan Kwano area of Niger, and the driver explained that they were coming from Lagos and going to Kano State, promising not to stop the state.

However, the security personnel were ordered to escort the trailer and all it passengers back to where it came from (Lagos).

Speaking at the daily briefing on Thursday, the national coordinator of the presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu expressed worry that the inter-state movement of such persons could increase the spread of Coronavirus across Nigeria.

“I will like to emphasize on travel restrictions and the need for people to stay at home, especially in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun,” he said.

“The issue of inter-state travelling is a concern as we have noticed that community spread is now being traced to people travelling across state borders.

“Nigerians need to restrict movement in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

“This is particularly pertinent with regards to news of people being smuggled in trucks out of Lagos, which is quite a concern to us.”

KanyiDaily had reported how a 75-year-old retiree and former ambassador who travelled to Kaduna, Abuja and Lagos and came back to Kano on 25th March, tested positive for the coronavirus.