Benue State Action Committee on COVID-19 has repatriated a batch of 58 persons suspected to have been trafficked into Makurdi, back to their states.
Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Benue COVID-19 Action Committee, Benson Abounu, led a taskforce to repatriate the youths from the state in the early hours of Thursday.
He said the youths had been brought to the state in violation of the lockdown rules and had to be returned to the safety of their homes.
The Deputy Governor revealed that, to redress the situation, the Committee had provided the means of transportation, as well as security and documentation to facilitate safe passage on the highways for the affected young persons.
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Our correspodent reports that before their departure, face masks were also handed to the youths after they had been given orientation on safety tips necessary for them to avoid contracting and spreading the virus.
The Deputy Governor stressed that the lockdown in Benue State remains in force, and that anyone found violating it will face appropriate sanctions.
Mr. Abounu maintained that all messures necessary to keep Benue free of the Coronavirus will be implemented with due diligence, stressing that all destitute persons from other states found in Benue would be returned to their homes.
He called on the people to close ranks and support the administration of Governor Samuel Ortom whom he said has given tremendous support to the Committee to enable it win the war against COVID-19.