Politics
SOME commercial drivers in Ilorin, the Kwara capital, have devised new means to flout the state government’s ban on movement of commercial vehicles in the state aimed at checking the spread of COVID-19.
An investigation by a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that drivers at Ero Omo Offa Garage now pass through the bush instead of the highways.
One of the drivers, who does not want his name mentioned, told NAN that they pass through the bush path to evade arrest which attracts a fine of N25, 000 or two months in jail.
”The security personnel is already on the roads and any arrest attracts either N25, 000 or two months in jail.
” We are heading to Ekiti state where we came from this morning and the passengers in my car are complete already.
”I am waiting for my partner to also get his passengers, and then we will proceed together,” he said.
Further investigation revealed that the duo were not the only ones involved as a tour at the park asked NAN correspondent where she was traveling to.
NAN reports that security agents were all over the town to ensure compliance with the stay-at-home order by the government.
The security men included personnel of the Nigeria Police, military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps and Vehicle Inspection Officers.
The spokesperson of the NSCDC in Kwara, Mr. Ayeni Olasunkanmi, said that the command had deployed its personnel to work with other security operatives to enforce the restriction order.
Olasunkanmi also said that NSCDC was not aware of any bush path being used by some commercial drivers.
He said that anybody found driving in and out of the state would be arrested and prosecuted.
NAN reports that the state government on Wednesday announced the ban on movement of commercial vehicles in the state as well as the closure of all mosques and churches to avoid the spread of COVID-19. (NAN)
– Mar. 27, 2020 @ 14:25 GMT |
Tags: COVID-19: How commercial drivers in Ilorin flout State ban – Investigation
