SOUTH-WEST states have tightened security at their Northern boundaries amidst discoveries that Northern youths are hiding behind bags of foodstuffs and livestock to breach the existing COVID-19 lockdown in the zone.

At all the boundaries, security agents have intensified searches on trucks conveying foodstuffs from the North, especially with Kano emerging as the new epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis in Nigeria.

CM_TO_Top Responsive – LB1
Some days ago, Ekiti State residents felled trees across roads at boundaries to beat the antics of security agents who were suspected to be compromising the security of the state.

The trees were soon cleared because they blocked access for vehicles on essential travels.

In Lagos State, fear is mounting over the possibility of a second major outbreak of coronavirus as truck drivers moving farm produce from Kano have been accused of smuggling passengers from the Northern state into Lagos, hiding them among huge tomato consignments.

Lagos, Nigeria’s most populous state, is leading in COVID-19 infection, topping the 1,000 mark, while Kano’s number is surging at a rate that has alarmed medical experts and personnel.

VDO.IO
Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, had confirmed COVID-19 patients fleeing the state and threatened to have their names published.

The two states are under presidential lockdown with the North’s most populous state moving into the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis, following a slew of high-profile deaths within weeks, suspected to be COVID-19-related.

The alleged smuggling of passengers from Kano, whose COVID-19 status are unknown, into Lagos is causing panic and uproar in the south-western state.

A similar situation between Osun and Zamfara states which saw indigenes of the latter being packed alongside goods from the North to the south-western state has witnessed a flurry of unpleasant official exchanges between the governments of the two states.

Kaduna and Kano also recently engaged in a brief spat over same issue after a truck from Kano was caught by Kaduna officials at the border trying to smuggle in young boys suspected to be almajirai.

Kaduna is another hotbed of COVID-19 and the governor, Nasir el-Rufai, just sailed through the infection, having spent weeks in isolation.

Trucks doing inter-state movement of essential goods, especially foodstuffs, are cleared by the authorities manning the lockdown regulations and the alleged abuse of the privilege is linked to desire to make a fortune out of the national misfortune.

As the controversy deepens, authorities are talking tough but market leaders from the North trading in Lagos are washing their hands of the illegal movement of humans, which could further hurt official and unofficial efforts at stopping the spread of the deadly virus.

Security agencies in charge of enforcement of the ban on human interstate movements are alleged to be in a compromise, facilitated by bribe monies from the truck drivers and their passengers.

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has consistently warned security agencies against compromise that could further hurt a populace which has been on a lockdown for close to five weeks.

President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa, has also joined the fray, warning the union members across the country to desist from mixing passengers with foodstuffs and livestock.

CM_TO_Middle – LB4
Baruwa, who is a member of the Technical Task Force set up by the Federal Government on free movement of foodstuffs and livestock, gave the warning in a letter sent to all the state councils of the union.

He said in the letter: “This is to bring to your notice that the Federal Government, on April 24, 2020, inaugurated a joint Technical Task Force. The mandate of the team is mainly to facilitate the movement and free flow of food, livestock and agricultural inputs across the country during the lockdown period.

“The purpose of this circular is to inform all our member drivers, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles (trucks) who are involved in conveyance of foodstuffs, livestock and agricultural inputs across the country that carrying of fare-paying passengers on their trips is highly prohibited.

“However, a driver is authorised to go along with his assistant/mate (conductor) who will help the driver in the event of any breakdown or an errand while on their trip.

“However, be informed that the in the state or areas where there are no trucks, buses and cars can also be used to convey food items, provided that such vehicles are not used to carry another passenger(s) except the driver’s assistant or conductor, as the case may be.

“Furthermore, state secretaries are hereby directed to liaise with the directors of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in their respective states as similar technical task teams will be constituted in every state of the federation.”



Northern youths are coming to Lagos for survival –Sarkin Hausawa

Under Slider Responsive – LB5
The Sarkin Hausawa of the Sasha area of Lagos, Alhaji Iliyasu Isa-Kira, appealed to Northern youths to remain in their home states pending when the Federal Government will lift the ban on interstate travels.

Reacting to the allegation that many of the youths get hidden in trucks moving cattle to Lagos, Alhaji Isa-Kira, who himself has been caught up in the lockdown in Katsina State, said the youths migrating to Lagos were merely artisans looking to use any available window provided by government to engage in menial jobs that would fetch them some money to survive the coronavirus hardship.

He attributed their decision to be smuggled into Lagos in trailers bringing livestock to a desperate attempt to escape government order mainly to make little money for survival.

He, however, appealed to Lagos and federal governments to assist citizens with adequate palliatives, saying nothing kills faster than hunger.

“Lagos State government should please help people with food. Hunger kills people even more than coronavirus. Many people who died in Kano State were not killed by the virus but hunger,” he said.

Commenting on the situation, the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos and chairman of the Association of Fulani Chiefs in Southwest Nigeria, Alhaji Mohammed Bambado, said all that is required to discourage such a practice is for relevant authorities to be proactive by ensuring that all drivers and their vehicles are properly checked at the time of leaving the North.

He advised that clearance to pass as workers on essential services be issued after the vehicles have been duly checked, adding that any driver thereafter caught conveying unauthorised persons should be sanctioned alongside the passengers.

According to him, COVID-19 is not a disease to joke with as it requires strict adherence to government’s guidelines by all Nigerians.

“It is only when serious sanction is applied that other drivers who have similar intent and their passengers would believe that government is serious about its given rules and guidelines on inter-state vehicular movements,” he noted.

Bambado pointed out that thorough checking of vehicles carrying foodstuffs and other essential items at this period of lockdown should be extended to all drivers moving from one part of the country to another and not only those moving from the North to Lagos and this should be done at every border post.



We aren’t involved –Mile 12 market leader

Reacting, the chairman of Mile 12 International Market, Alhaji Shehu Usman, said it was a lie that Northerners were using the movement of foodstuffs and livestock to move illegally into Lagos.

Mile 12 is a major food market in Lagos.

Alhaji Usman, however, admitted that some unscrupulous drivers who might want to make more money could still pick passengers on the road. He warned them of the consequences of such an act if caught.

He said: “It is a lie. Look, for about 15 years now, traders at the market have advanced to the extent that they don’t even send anybody to follow their goods. Only the driver will be given a waybill to the vendor in the market.

“People don’t come with their goods again because in cases where they make losses, they will still use from the money for their transportation back to the North. It becomes double loss for them. We called them for a meeting and told them that everybody was becoming wiser now. Place the items that you have for sale in a truck and send it to a vendor in Lagos. The vendor will sell for you and send your money to you through your account.

“In most cases, people do not follow the exchange except perhaps if the driver wants to make some money along the road and decides to pick passengers, which we have warned them about.

“I called most of the drivers that do come to Mile 12. I had a meeting with them and warned them that anybody that is caught picking passengers beyond the conductor of the truck or the owner of the goods on the road will be handed over to the police. We have done that for a very long time. Nobody is picking passenger on the road again.”

The market also said: “It is not a service for the passengers. Just yesterday, I was called from Ogun State on the same issue and I told them that it is the services of the drivers and that what they should do is to go to radio and television stations to announce that any driver that picks passengers on the road should be apprehended.”

According to him, no new faces have been admitted into the market and those who were admitted as members of the market came with guarantors who vouched for them.

He added: “If somebody wants to become a member of the market association, he or she must first come to us to signify his intention and he must bring somebody to stand as his guarantor. It is the guarantor that will say ‘this is my brother. He is from so and so place. Nobody is even doing that now.

“We don’t just allow traders; anybody that you see in the market, whether Hausa, Yoruba or Ibo, somebody has vouched for them. We engaged in the use of ID card to identify you and know where you came from. The Mile 12 of yesterday is not the Mile 12 of today. You can see that from the face of the market.

“You see, the good part of it is that since the inception of this coronavirus, after several warnings to people, we have not had a single case of casualty, even when people come to the market from places with high number of victims like Eti Osa. I am the chairman of the market. I have not heard of a single case.”

more...https://tribuneonlineng.com/covid-19-fear-in-s-west-over-influx-of-northern-youths/

Which Northern Youths??

Do you even know the difference between Nigereins and Northern Youths??

Or you just think that anybody coming from the north that speaking Hausa is a northerner??

Let me educate you small... 80% of those Abbokis you see in the South ain't northerners!! They're Nigeriens which you find it difficult to differentiate because they speak Hausa and are generally Muslims!!

We have many of them in the north too!!

The real northern youths hardly travel to the south... Except those doing tailoring, sending food down south, those in Army, Navy, police or airforce.

I have Been to many states in the south... Especially the south east...

I hardly meet a fellow northerner in East majority of them are Nigeriens...

So this news is incomplete! Are they Nigeriens or Nigerians??

Op you're a well known tribal bigot on Nairaland doing everything possible to continue painting the north black!!

If I start scouting for my own Negative news about the east... You people will start wailing and kicking calling the news fake regardless of the source!

Op you are a well known bigot on Nairaland!!

Your own is to go online scouting for any negative news about the north to post On Nairaland!!

You derive joy in seeing the Northerners being insulted by your ipob brothers!!

They're many positive news online about the north! You'll never post them here....

Rather you'll go looking for any negative news that you know will either make people hate the north or make the north look awkward!

I have encountered you times without number insulting, stereotyping and condemning the north!

Look at that picture you even used to back up your news?? Where did you get that pic from??

Op you're a well know tribal bigot!! This news is as fake as hell!!

The south west and the north don't even share any border...

Just tell us that the state is securing her borders against smugglers! You're here tribalizing the post!!

AB

Let everyone stay in their states until this Pandemic is over. Let's not endanger the lives of others.


Don't forget to get these new furniture to change the outlook of your homes, bars, clubs, hotels etc.

Check them here

https://www.nairaland.com/5826555/vehicle-tyre-designz

What are they coming to do here other than to bring their terrorism into the South? Please send them back.

We are all Nigerians so everybody has the right to move to south west or are we not Nigerians again Any security that stop you from moving to west sue the person

Ebonyeyes:
What are they coming to do here other than to bring their terrorism into the South? Please send them back.

We are one Nigeria everybody has right to move about

West west west, north north go collect Take over una land

The governor's are lying to themselves about state border closures.

Northerners dont share border with SW, they simply passed through SS

Ranking Nigeria's top problems:

1. Politicians
2. Police
3. PHCN
4. Local Government
5. Judiciary.

The reason why people from the north could be so bold to venture into the southern part of the country is because the police will compromise.

I only read the first two paragraphs...Even if ganduje publish their names,and even faces, how many people will care to lookout for them.South West be prepared

helinues:
The governor's are lying to themselves about state border closures.

Northerners dont share border with SW, they simply passed through SS

What the news said is sw not ss so let's focus on what the news said

helinues:
The governor's are lying to themselves about state border closures.

Northerners dont share border with SW, they simply passed through SS

The school is not supposed to teach you everything. You could learn somethings on your own only if you want to.


Please do yourself good by checking your map

Nwanyiogwashi:
We are one Nigeria everybody has right to move about

We are not one Nigeria, we are divided by culture, morals, values, language, beliefs and geography. The North is for the North and the South is for the South.

Ebonyeyes:


We are not one Nigeria, we are divided by culture, morals, values, language, beliefs and geography. The North is for the North and the South is for the South.

That one is your yard talk. What we have in south is west east and south

hmm!

this is a case between two brothers,

nothing Concern us.

helinues:
The governor's are lying to themselves about state border closures.

Northerners dont share border with SW, they simply passed through SS

Even if the news is true... Then it's those Nigerien migrants... We are also battling with here!

The problem is that Southerners don't know the difference between a Nigerian Hausafulani and nigeriens base on the fact that they speak Hausa and Muslims...

The slavemasters have come calling.Pls open the door because the marriage of convenience is yet to be dissolved.

helinues:
The governor's are lying to themselves about state border closures.
Northerners dont share border with SW, they simply passed through SS

Go school like Sarrki you no gree.Take a look @ Nigeria's map & clear your doubt or read Geography to be better informed.You must be free from this spirit possessing you guys.

Stop confusing yourself, are northerners not Nigerians?

Arrewa:
Which Northern Youths??

Do you even know the difference between Nigereins and Northern Youths??

Or you just think that anybody coming from the north that speaking Hausa is a northerner??

Let me educate you small... 80% of those Abbokis you see in the South ain't northerners!! They're Nigeriens which you find it difficult to differentiate because they speak Hausa and are generally Muslims!!

We have many of them in the north too!!

The real northern youths hardly travel to the south... Except those doing tailoring, sending food down south, those in Army, Navy, police or airforce.

I have Been to many states in the south... Especially the south east...

I hardly meet a fellow northerner in south majority of them are Nigeriens...

So this news is incomplete! Are they Nigeriens or Nigerians??

They should tighten the security. Everyone needs to stay where they're, even the two Faiths supported this in Their scriptures

ojun50:
West west west, north north go collect Take over una land

Are osu cursed with stupidity or what ?
Are you that mentally lazy that you couldn't read that few lines .
Silly ipob lout

Honestly, those guys will come to the south to constitute nuisance. They will come to become beggers and arm robbers.

Racoon:
The slavemasters have come calling.Pls open the door because the marriage of convenience is yet to be dissolved.

Osu mofo !
Are you talking about the marriage of convenience that led to the suyanization of over 3 million good for nothing osu slaves

Arrewa:
Even if the news is true... Then it's those Nigerien migrants... We are also battling with here!

The problem is that Southerners don't know the difference between a Nigerian Hausafulani and nigeriens base on the fact that they speak Hausa and Muslims...

There are hundreds of minority tribes in the north , so why talk like Hausa/Fulani are the only and real northerners ?

Ebonyeyes:


We are not one Nigeria, we are divided by culture, morals, values, language, beliefs and geography. The North is for the North and the South is for the South.

Not exactly !
There's West , North , South and East .
Don't deceive yourself

Those pot bellied security operatives manning the borders don't care about Covid 19 . All they care about is collecting egunje.

You Northerners should sit your butt in one place . This is not the time to be distributing Covid 19 about.

Arrewa:
Op you are a well known bigot on Nairaland!!

Your own is to go online scouting for any negative news about the north to post On Nairaland!!

You derive joy in seeing the Northerners being insulted by your ipob brothers!!

They're many positive news online about the north! You'll never post them here....

Rather you'll go looking for any negative news that you know will either make people hate the north or make the north look awkward!

I have encountered you times without number insulting, stereotyping and condemning the north!

Look at that picture you even used to back up your news?? Where did you get that pic from??

Op you're a well know tribal bigot!! This news is as fake as hell!!

The south west and the north don't even share any border...

Just tell us that the state is securing her borders against smugglers! You're here tribalizing the post!!

What is the essence of the news forum, if not to enlightened people?

Nobody is painting the north red as there is hardly any good news from the north, except power monger, herdsmen occupying people's land, BH, and banditry from Borno to Niger and Sokoto to Nassarawa.

Where is the tribalizing of the post when all there is, is the news from Tribune news? Where have I made any input of mine?

Are the northern governors who have agreed to send the almajiris home, sending them to Niger?

See http://saharareporters.com/2020/05/01/northern-governors-agree-deport-more-almajiris-set-curfew-inter-state-trucks-movement

Deepfeel:
Stop confusing yourself, are northerners not Nigerians?

Nigeriens ain't Nigerians

They speak Hausa and are generally Muslims too!

Just their own Hausa is of different version and it's only a southerner that can speak Hausa will be able to differentiate them...

Even the in physical Attributes... They're normally very black like Ganians!

Southerners hardly differentiate! They see as Hausafulanis from northern Nigeria!

I know all these because I have been to South

The only places you will see a Nigerian Hausa is in the military, Police, custom those changing money and those sending down food to the south! An average northner hardly travel to the east!

R