COVID-19: Kaduna Angry Over Abuse Of Interstate Travel Ban
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Kaduna state government is furious that illegal inter-state travel is widening the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread in the state.
According to the government, it is unfortunate that majority of COVID-19 cases in the state are those with travel history, which lends credence to the fact that existing restrictions on inter-state travels have been grossly abused by many people, including security agencies.
A statement from Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Friday said illegal travels have increased the danger of community transmission as infections are now being “recorded in mainly rural local governments on the borders of the state.’’
Signed by Special Adviser to Governor Nasir el-Rufai on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, the statement said; ‘’The Standing Committee on COVID-19 appeals for the vigilance and active involvement of all citizens in the effort to avert this peril.’’
It said COVID-19 ‘’has confirmed that seven new cases were recorded in the state on Thursday 7th May 2020,’’ adding that ‘’Kaduna State now has 82 active cases, having discharged 10 patients and recorded one fatality.’’
‘’The latest cases include four persons with travel history outside the state, a senior citizen who received many visitors at home and two persons in the police barracks who are contacts of one of the policemen who tested positive.’’
The Special Adviser further said; ‘’Positive COVID-19 test results have been recorded from seven local government areas: Giwa, Igabi, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Makarfi, Soba and Zaria. ‘’
According to the statement; ‘’many citizens of Kaduna State have endured inconveniences and consistently complied with the restriction of movement, including the prohibition of non-essential interstate movement.
‘’These sacrifices are being jeopardized by the actions of persons who violate the Quarantine Orders, and the misconduct of some law enforcement officers that have facilitated and indulged this grossly irresponsible pattern of interstate travel,’’ Adekeye noted.
‘’The state government continues to engage the leadership of the concerned agencies on these dangerous lapses, given its consistent support for the security agencies posted to the state,’’ he said.
Adekeye expressed concern that the Kaduna state’s health system could be easily overwhelmed if community transmission continues unabated, as the situation in some neighbouring states has shown.
Also, the statement explained that government was compelled to block many entry points into the state as well as deployed senior officials from their other vital roles, to specifically man these borders.
The Special Adviser said the Standing Committee is appealing to all law-abiding citizens in the state not to hesitate in exposing and reporting persons engaged in interstate travels or who sneak into their communities.
Adekeye said it is imperative for all citizens to “consistently exercise personal responsibility and compliance with health protocols that have been outlined to help beat COVID-19” pandemic in Kaduna State
