Lockdown: Group decry transport companies defying order, move at nights

By Stanley Ihedigbo

Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has decried a situation where  some transport companies defying the lockdown and no-movement-order and continuing to embark on interstate night journeys.

Nwanguma

Executive Director of the group, Comrade Okechukwu Nwanguma, lamented that Police officers on the road across States who ought to enforce the lockdown and prevent such outlawed dangerous movements which is a veritable means of further spread of this virus across states received bribe from the defaulting commercial drivers and allow them to on the journey.

He further lamented that many recently reported index cases in states like Anambra and Kano were reported to be people who traveled from Lagos, currently the most hit state in Nigeria.

“An example is a Libra Motors bus carrying passengers which departed from Cele terminal in Lagos on the night of Friday, 10th April and arrived Owerri the next day- Saturday. Each passenger was charged fifteen thousand Naira.

Money exchanges hands to compromise rules and order

“The driver simply stretched out his hands and handed the police officers money at each check point and was allowed to continue.

“These intransigent Nigerians, including the transport companies’ management and their passengers are sabotaging the efforts of the state and federal governments to contain the further spread of the virus. The transport companies choose to make brisk money and expose other law abiding Nigerian citizens and residents to the risk of infection and wider spread of the ravaging disease. Police officers, who ought to enforce the no-movement order instead also exploits the opportunity to make their own money.

He stressed that the management of the transport companies, their drivers and passengers should be identified and isolated for necessary checks.

“Police authorities should identify the officers involved and ensure that they are dealt with appropriately. Also, Police authorities should ensure strict monitoring of transport companies’ parks and terminals, especially at night to prevent this ominous act of lawlessness,” he advised.