Austin Chukwudi
The essence of the border closure by the Delta State Government as part of measures to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic appears defeated following compromises, particularly by security agents stationed at the borders. Report says at the Ologbo end of Edo and Delta States boundary movement between both States was going on under the nose of security agents.
commercial motorcycle riders popularly known as Okada in a cluster at the Delta State end of the Ologbo border point await for passengers to walk into Delta State end after being dropped at the border between Delta and Edo States.
Under the watch of the security men at the border, the passengers cross over the Delta, board the waiting Okadas to Koko Junction and other strategic locations and head to their respective destinations.
An Okada rider gave a clear insight to the alleged brisk business that some of the security agents are making at the post. In just 30 minutes of arrival of our newsmen, a stretch of vehicies waiting to cross in and out of Delta and Edo States had formed.
A 18-seater Toyota Hiax bus was conveying passengers from Port Harcourt on route Delta to Abuja. One of the passengers in the bus claimed they are Corps Members who were tested for COVID-19. Some of the drivers and others said they were on the road in for survival. They urged the government to provide palliatives for the citizens to enable
them stay at home.
Apart from Petroleum tankers, vehicles conveying foodstuffs and those on essential duties, others who had their way in and out of Delta and Edo States allegedly induced the security agents on guard the border.