Recent upsurge in the number of Northerners who try to sneak into the Niger Delta region, through unimaginable means, is now a source of concern for some stakeholders in the region.
A statement signed on May 9, 2020, by the National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF and former Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, rtd, OFR, condemned the flouting of the Presidential order which bans interstate movement.
The statement made available to Africa Update reads: Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, strongly condemns the unrestricted movement of persons from the Northern parts of the country into States in the Niger Delta region, in view of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
It is worrisome that every day we get reports of the interception of vehicles laden with tens and hundreds of persons, mostly young men, concealed amongst livestock or foodstuff being transported to the region from the North. There is a presidential order banning inter-state travels, and a nation-wide curfew from 8.00pm to 6,00am, as part measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country, which are supposedly still in force.
PANDEF, therefore, wonders how these persons are able to transit across the country from the northern states in vehicles to the Niger Delta states, without being detected and stopped by security agents.
This definitely raises doubts on the detachment of security personnel in this disturbing situation. Why the mass relocation? What are they coming to do in Niger Delta amidst the corona virus pandemic? What is their purpose? What is the agenda? We need answers to these questions from the federal government and its security agencies.
PANDEF is further disturbed because these persons are assumed to be Almajiris from the Northern states; and with some states in that part fast becoming epicentres of the pandemic in the country. Even more worrying is the fact that many of the Almajiris relocated to their states of origin in the North reportedly tested positive to COVID-19.
Besides, these persons could pose serious security and socioeconomic challenges in the Niger Delta region. Therefore, this mass exodus to the Niger Delta should stop; these persons should remain in their States.
PANDEF hopes there are no sinister intents to undermine the health security and safety of the people of the Niger Delta region. We are grateful to God that the pandemic has largely been contained in States across the region. This is obviously due to the proactive measures put in place by the Governors, and the cooperation of the people.
PANDEF, thus, commends the Governors of the South South States on their various efforts to stem the spread of the Virus in the region, and the people of the region for their understanding in observing the measures. Nothing should be allowed to destabilize the present situation in the region.
We urge Governors of the region to increase security at the boundaries to check entry by unauthorized persons, while we implore the citizens of the region, particularly youths in border communities, to remain vigilant and report illegal entries to their state government.
PANDEF further appeals to Governors of the region to expedite action on the setting up of the region’s security outfit to strengthen the security architecture of the Niger Delta region. As we had previously indicated, the Forum is ready with a blueprint for the regional security outfit, which we are willing to avail the governors.
PANDEF also implores security personnel not to compromise the restriction orders of the federal and state governments, put in place to check the spread of corona virus in the country.
