The Bauchi State Government says it will adopt stringent measures to enforce the closure of borders in the state.
Alhaji Baba Tela, the state Deputy Governor, who also doubles as the Chairman of the task force on COVID-19 and Lassa fever, stated this while briefing journalists after assessment tour of borders in Bauchi state, on Saturday.
According to him, it is to check movement of vehicles, from in and out of the state.
“The state government and the security agencies would adopt stringent measures to stop the coming in and going out of the state with vehicles.
“It will be enforced by officials of the state Ministry of Transport in collaboration with Police, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and other relevant agencies.
“Only petrol tankers, trucks and other vehicles conveying food items and medical supplies would be allowed to pass after proper checking,” he said.
Tela said that the state government and security agencies would embark on the assessment tour of state borders of Kano, Jigawa, Borno and Yobe for effective enforcement of the exercise.
The deputy governor said the enforcement of border closure becomes necessary to checkmate the safety of the people and curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
“All agencies like Nigeria Police Force, Bauchi Command, Civil Defense, Military DSS, Road Safety, Bauchi Roads Transport Authority, among others would adopt the enforcement measures,” he said.
He noted that the government has ordered the arrest of some persons who defiled the boundary closure directive as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“It was a hard decision to take but it was necessary as part of precautionary measures against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic possible spread,” he said.
He urged citizen to cooperate with health workers and all other stakeholders to make sure that the state is safe and the country in general.
Tela further said that he would ensure that more security personnel are deployed to borders of all the routes linking the state with other states.
The Chairman pointed out that borders would remain closed and he will continue to study the situation and keep people abreast of any development.
He advised that people should observe the physical distancing, handwashing with soap and running water or cleaning with a sanitizer always.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bauchi State government has given directives on border closures indefinitely to prevent possible spread of Coronavirus. (NAN)
