Trucks conveying almajiri children prevented from entering Cross River

The Cross River government and security operatives, on Saturday, intercepted and sent back trucks carrying “30 almajiri children” at the Gakem-Benue border in the state.

Betta Edu, chairperson, Cross River COVID-19 Taskforce, told NAN in Calabar that the children were sent back in the same trucks conveying them.

She said the trucks were intercepted by Signor Idiege, commissioner for youths and skills acquisition, with a team of security operatives while enforcing the “No Entry” directive of the government at the border.

She said Idiege also sent an escort along with the trucks to ensure that they did not divert through any other route to the state.

“It is important for the federal government to support these people where they are rather than allow them move from one part of the country to the other,” she said.

“Remember COVID-19 does not move but people move, so, if these people are coming from states that have the virus, of course, for us in Cross River, we do not want them here.

“That is the only way we can reduce the number that is building everyday and contain the virus.”

Three days ago, the Cross River border task force intercepted and sent back five trucks with goods and almajiri children at the same Gakem-Benue border.

Cross River is yet to record any COVID-19 case.