No fewer than 40 returnees from Lagos State have been intercepted in Sokoto State by security operatives attached to the special taskforce against the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

Among the returnees were three nationals of Niger Republic who wanted to use the Sokoto/Illela road as simple entrance into their country.

The passengers were intercepted at Tambuwal/Aliero Jega highway on Saturday morning and handed over to the Sokoto State commissioner of health and chairman of the taskforce against the spread of COVID-19 in the state, Dr. Mohammed Iname.

Speaking after a medical examination carried out on the returnees, Iname said their vehicle was intercepted along Tambuwal/road while making efforts to enter Sokoto from Lagos.

The commissioner, however, added that aside the three that were from Niger Republic, all the rest were from Sokoto State.

“We have not opened the quarantine centre but because of what is happening and the trooping in of so many returnees from Lagos and other states, we are now going to use most likely the NYSC camp as the quarantine centre.

“The taskforce is working hard to monitor movement along the entry points from Kano and Katsina that are also endemic state of COVID-19.

“We are always on the move to monitor the enforcement along those borders, especially as regard the axis of Rabba, Isa as well as Tureta where we have people coming from Kano. Yes Kano most especially is a place to watch,” he said.

According to the health commissioner, those returning from Kano through Tureta and Rabba, use the non-official routes that is through Bakura, Rabba, Mai Kujera and then to Sokoto hence the need for more attention to those areas. (Leadership)

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