COVID-19: Governor Wike Auctions Over 20 Vehicles Seized For Violating Lockdown Orders In Rivers

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike said that all the vehicles impounded for violating the coronavirus lockdown regulations in the state would be auctioned.

KanyiDaily had earlier reported that Governor Wike personally took over command on the streets of Port Harcourt enforcing extreme lockdown on Thursday, and sending the defaulters to quarantine, seen as prison.

While going round on inspection, over 200 defaulters, including a private guard and others were arrested and dragged to the state Isolation Centre, Elekahia.

Wike also arrested some very important persons (VIPs), who were not on essential duties, but were moving around with their police escorts.

The governor and his team also impounded over 20 vehicles which he vowed to auction to the general public.

During an interview after personally monitoring the lockdown on Thursday, May 7, 2020, Governor Wike said:

“The defaulters will be tried by the mobile courts and I have told the Attorney General, all the impounded vehicles must be auctioned.

“By tomorrow, the Honourable Attorney General would have advertised those vehicles and we will auction them.

“Some people don’t believe that Coronavirus is in existence. Until you make them understand that we are serious, they will not believe it. We will auction the impounded vehicles.

“Those arrested will face the wrath of the law. Nobody is above the law. We will not allow anyone to sabotage our efforts to protect our people,” he said.

KanyiDaily recalls that Governor Wike had also vowed to prosecute ExxonMobil for flouting the coronavirus lockdown order, by bringing 22 persons into the state without authorisation.

The governor said he cannot leave corporate bodies who violated the state’s lockdown order to go free, whereas, petty traders like Akara and Groundnut sellers are charged to court for same violation.