May 5, 2020
By Ijendu Iheaka
Abia government on Tuesday announced the interception of a truck load of Almajiris in a cattle-bearing truck on their way to Abia.
Abia Ministry of Homeland Security operatives led by Mr Dan Okoli, the Commissioner, intercepted the truck with its illegal load at Enugu-Abia border, along the Enugu - Aba Expressway.
Chief Okeiyi Kalu, the Abia Commissioner for Information, disclosed this in a press release made available to newsmen in Aba on Tuesday.
Kalu explained that for days now, several trucks conveying food items with several almajiris hiding in them had been turned back at the same border until the interception on Tuesday.
He said government had directed the deployment of more Homeland Security operatives to Abia - Akwa Ibom boundary following the interception of another set of Almajiris enroute Akwa Ibom at the place.
Abia government had on Monday alerted citizens of an intelligence report it received on the planned movement of almajiris into the state within 24 hours.
Kalu warned traditional rulers and TC Chairmen overseeing local governments and communities with inter-state boundaries stressing they would be held responsible and sanctioned for unauthorized entries.
He said the government was soliciting the application of all necessary lawful measures by security agents and residents to stop the entry of not only almajiris but also other unlawful migrants.
He noted that the measures would remain in place until the federal government lifts its inter-state border closure aimed at checking the spread of COVID-19 from one state to another.
In a related development, Aba residents asked the state government to ensure the boundary towns near Aba are properly checked noting that some non-residents were paying security agents to enter from there.
Mr Jackson Akudiwe said there was need to educate some non-residents suspected to be Nigeriens living in mosques in Aba who flout the lockdown and other safety rules.
“Since we heard the news, we have been very jittery because of the reports of the high rates of deaths attributed to coronavirus in Kano with the almajiris who lead in the number of infected persons in Kano.
"Why would they want to bring them here? How come they want to shift them into our peaceful and less disturbed state?
“It is good the government uncovered this evil plot, but uncovering it is not enough, they should ensure that such a thing did not happen at all.
"We're also happy that they have apprehended some of them and that's a wonderful achievement; we plead with them to quickly strengthen the borders.
"But they should possibly withdraw compromising police officers and replace them with any other local security here because our policemen are too corrupt”, he said.
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