Rivers Police CP Inaugurates Technical team to ensure free interstate movements of livestocks into Rivers

…Not clear if the state government will support the Federal Government Technical Committee

Eric Olusesan/Port Harcourt

Sequel to directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, that there should unhindered interstate movements of foodstuffs and livestocks across the Country   the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Joseph Gobum Mukan has inaugurated a Joint Technical Task   on Emergency Response to COVID-19 .

During the ceremony the state CP Mukan   ordered for the free movement and transporting of foods and goods into Rivers State throughout the period of the Lockdown.

The State Commissioner of Police in Rivers State Joseph Gobum Mukan gave the order at the inauguration of the Joint Technical Taskforce Team on Emergency Response to COVID-19 Challenges on Movement of Food and Agricultural Inputs in the Country at the Command headquarters Moscow road.

Chairman of the Rivers State branch of NUJ, Stanley Job Stanley is a member of the Committee

CP Joseph  who is the state Chairman of Taskforce Team, while charging members to ensure full compliance on the terms of reference by federal government also urged the members to fashion out ways of ensuring that food items are made surplus and those conveying them move freely.

The State Coordinator of the Team, Ebinimi Tobin, highlighted the terms of reference to each of the various department and groups in the team and tasked everyone to be proactive for the interest of Rivers People.

The Personnel from Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Nigeria Union of Journalist are represented in the Taskforce.

Other members of the team include: representative from Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

It would noted that since the closure of boundaries many state Governors, including Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Willie Obiano of Anambra, Ifeanyi Okowa and others have at various times intercepted truck loaded with livestocks and foodstuffs but a lot persons of  hidden in such trucks whose Covid-19 status is questionable.

Gate mounted at Imo Rivers bridge,the boundary between Rivers and Abia State.

In Rivers State, the Government recently mounted an massive iron gate at the popular Imo River Bridge at the boundary between Rivers and Abia.

Governor Wike had also inaugurated state Taskforce to check the uncoordinated influx of unwanted persons into the state.

Several times,the Governor had accused the Federal Government security agencies of sabotaging efforts of the state government to check the influx of unauthorized persons into the state.

At the time of filing this report,it was clear how the the state Taskforce the newly inaugurated Technical Task headed by the CP Joseph Gobum Mukan.
A Trailer conveying livestocks and human cargo (about 30 persons tugged in between goats) from Bauchi State heading to Asaba,the Delta State Capital was  intercepted on Monday May 4, at about 9:30pm by a Covid 19 team led by Victor Ebonka, the Chairman of Ika North-East Council area in Delta State.

They intercepted by the Team of Enforcers at Owa-Ekei/Owa-Alero junction in Ika North East Local Government Area.

Livestocks Trailer loaded with Goats with 30 persons suspected to be from Bauchi State. 

After proper head count and profiling of the persons it was found out that 30 persons were sandwiched  in between goats and Cows.
Governor Wike also intercepted a  truck in Rumuagholu  carrying 22 persons in it.