Cross River government orders five truckloads of almajiris back to destination

– The border patrol team in Cross River has intercepted five truckloads of almajiris in the Gakem Bekwara local government area of the state

– The travellers were subsequently turned back by the border patrol team

– Christian Ita, a media aide to the state governor said the travellers were turned back purely in adherence to the COVID-19 protocol

Cross River state government on Wednesday, May 6, reportedly intercepted five truckloads of almajiris and other passengers from northern Nigeria in the Gakem Bekwara local government area of the state. The truckloads of almajiris were said to have been turned back to their destination by the border patrol team, comprising of security officials and the state COVID-19 task force. The Cross River government said the travellers were turned back in adherence to the COVID-19 protocol. The travellers were reported to have been found at night following intensive search and blockade of interstate vehicular travels in the state. A source who does not want to be named said the passengers were sent back because they did not meet the COVID19 protocols. Christian Ita, the special adviser to Governor Ayade on media publicity, said the decision to turn back the travellers was purely in adherence to the COVID-19 protocol. “Cross River is not the first state ordering people to return to where they were coming from, but it’s simply about the following protocol. We are not sure about these people, we had to turn them back, Ita said.