Kaduna to traditional rulers: You’ll be held responsible for violation of lockdown in your domain

The Kaduna state government has warned traditional rulers in the state against the violation of quarantine order in their various domains.

Hadiza Balarabe, the deputy governor, gave the warning during a state broadcast on Thursday.

She said the development had become necessary to ensure compliance with the stay-at-home directive issued by the state government.

Balarabe expressed concerns that several residents violated the state directive, despite the threat to revert to the initial 24-hour lockdown.

She said the state government may invite the military to enforce the quarantine order.

“Community structures, from the ward head, village head and district head, will be held accountable for violations of the quarantine order by people within domains,” she said.

“Right now, we are collating reports of compliance to my directive that only sellers of food and other essential items should open for business, and compliance to non-hike of prices of food items. Appropriate actions will be taken according to findings.

“If necessary, government will invite the military to complement the efforts of the police in enforcing the quarantine order across the state.

“From Thursday 9th April 2020, Government will go beyond advise, warnings and threats, to the vigorous enforcement of the order.

“Safe corridor provided for travellers has been serially abused since the lockdown was imposed, on the pretext that these travelers were on transit, people from elsewhere have been coming into Kaduna in droves in violation of the Quarantine order.”

The deputy governor added that the state government is following the advise of experts in order to prevent the escalation of the disease in Kaduna.

Balarabe said she had “directed that all entry points into the State should be closed and only authorised vehicles should be given passage. Persons without valid passes have been strongly advised to cancel travel plans to Kaduna State.”

“All unauthorised vehicles will be turned back at our borders and those who insist in coming into Kaduna State will spend 14 days in a designated isolation facility,” she said.

“As from Thursday April 9, security agencies have been stationed at the Kaduna-Abuja express way, Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road, Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, Kachia road, Bwari-Jere-Kagarko road, Gumel-Kwoi-Keffi road, Jos-Manchok road and Zaria-Funtua road, including all other entry points into Kaduna State.

“Commissioner of Health has informed the State Standing Committee on Covid 19, that any time we record a new case, it sets us back by 14 days!”