---Direct Immediate Return Of All Almajiris
By Daniel Dauda, Jos


Plateau State Governor and Chairman Northern Governors forum, Simon Lalong has vehemently warned tricycle operators, popularly known as (Keke Napep) to strictly adhere to the order imposed by the state government to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

You would recall government earlier directed all Commercial Vehicle Operators (Keke Napep, Cars and Buses) to abide by restriction on the number of passenger to carry, which have been spelled out as 1, 4 and 6 respectively.

The situation which Governor Lalong bemoaned the attitude of transport operators.

 "Let me again express dismay on the consistent non-compliant attitude of Keke Napep Operators who most often carry double the stipulated number of passengers. This contradicts the ideals of social distancing and other sanitation guidelines. Henceforth, Government will not hesitate to place total ban on their operations if the lawlessness continues. "

Governor Lalong who was speaking during the state wide broadcast as the 14th days lockdown order elapsed, said community is set up to ensure repatriation of all the Almajiris to their States of origin.

"Considering the grave danger that Almajiri children are exposed to as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, I am directing the immediate profiling and return of all Almajiris from Plateau State to their respective States of origin to join their families and guardians. Accordingly, I have set up a Committee for the immediate profiling and return of Almajiris to be headed by Brig. General Salihu Inusa (rtd).


" This action is in tandem with the resolution of the Northern Governors Forum, which agreed to act in unison to protect these vulnerable children and further reduce the chances for the spread of the disease."He mentioned.

"Nevertheless, we have continued to arrest and try violators of the lockdown order in Mobile Courts while quarantining those who come in from other States. From the commencement of the second phase of the lockdown, we have arrested, tried and convicted 769 violators. This brings to a total of 1,607 convictions so far.

"We have also continued our surveillance, contact tracing and investigation of suspected cases. As of today, we have investigated 231 cases and quarantined 221 people who came in from States with COVID-19 cases in our facilities in Heipang and Mangu. Thirty three (33) others have been discharged from self-isolation."

He said The total lockdown will be relaxed from Midnight of Thursday 23rd April 2020 to 12th Midnight of Sunday 26th April 2020 to enable people again re-stock their homes. Thereafter, the total lockdown will resume on Monday 27th April 2020. However, Details of the next phase of the lockdown will be issued in due course.

"By implication, the earlier restrictions remain. For the avoidance of doubt, all other markets remain closed except those selling food items, pharmaceuticals and cooking gas. In addition, all illegal street trading, street hawking, and begging are prohibited.

He also assured that the palliative Committee headed by the Deputy Governor Prof. Sonni Tyoden will commence distribution to those who are truly in need by Saturday 25th April 2020.

"I call on all citizens especially religious, traditional, political and community leaders to continue to sensitise their people towards adherence to all guidelines in preventing this disease. Our best chance of defeating COVID-19 still remains PREVENTION." The Governor concluded.