Covid-19: Security agencies sabotage Governor Wike restriction of movements to check Covid-19

BY IBRAHIM BAKARE

As Covid-19 infections continue in upward climb in Rivers State, efforts of the Rivers State Government to control the spread through restriction of movement are being sabotaged by security agencies investigation have shown.

Security agencies have turned official blockages at the State boundaries and checkpoints in lockdown areas into money spinning spots extorted from motorists.

Investigation carried out by our Correspondent who recently traveled to through Elele-Omerelu-Owerri to Imo State axis to connecting Imo State, also showed that the state government members of Covid-19 Taskforce State Governor Nyesom Wike to mount border control has compromised.

Those at sections of the border connecting Abia and Rivers States, at Oyigbo, Elele/Omerelu connecting Imo state and Rivers state and, and the Mbiama section on the East-West Road connecting Rivers states, Bayelsa state, Delta State have turned those points toll points for motorists, mostly trucks on interstate travels.

According to Eyewitnesses observation by our Correspondent found out that the Taskforce on border closure are involved with illegal activities such as bribery collection, toll fees for trucks both those carrying essentials and non-essentials goods, massive human movement with heavy vehicular movements in and out of Rivers State.

The actions of these Taskforce on border control basically contravenes the mandate given by Governor Nyesom Wike to State COVID-19 taskforce. It is not clear what could motivate the actions of these individuals mounting border control to enforce government order on border closure.

However, prior to these findings about the border compromises, the members of Taskforce had accused Rivers State Government of non-payment of their stipend and other financial benefits. It was difficult to confirm the veracity of their claim.

Governor Wike had on for the upteenth time berated the security agencies for none enforcement of the Executive Order on restriction of movements in Rivers State lay down on protocol of COVID-19. This lapse prompted the need to set-up border control after allegations showed that Police Force mounting interstate entry points were involved in massive collection of between N1,000 to 3,500 per Truck coming into Rivers State.

These findings come at a time when the Governor is working assiduously to reverse the curve of COVID-19. Perhaps, these act of dereliction of duty coupled with the refusal of residents to adhere to Covid-19 directive could explain the rising cases of COVID-19 in Rivers State.

Similar reports are emerging from Onne and Bonny Island which were placed on lockdown few days ago due rising number of cases of infections.