Interstate: Driver Abandons Vehicle, 21 Passengers As FCT Arrests 74, Impounds Three Buses

THE Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) ministerial team on the enforcement of COVID- 19 restrictions has arrested 74 persons traveling through the city to other parts of the country.

The three buses were immediately impounded, while the drivers and passengers were arraigned before Magistrate Ebiwari Damini at the Mobile Court in Zuba and convicted.

The Magistrate also ruled that two other buses be impounded in the FCT until the COVID- 19 pandemic is over.

Chairman of the team, Ikharo Attah, disclosed that his team had earlier arrested the bus driver while traveling from Kaduna to Kogi State, adding: “He was arrested, arraigned, fined and returned to Kaduna State. He turned back that same night and still found his way to Kogi State.

“Today again, he was arrested traveling with a bus- load of passengers from Lokoja to Kaduna and the Magistrate fined him N10, 000 and also ruled that his vehicle be impounded at the AEPB Enforcement head office at Area 3, Garki.”

Attah said the apprehended passengers were traveling in two trucks and seven seven other buses, noting: “The FCT administration, working closely with the security agencies, will continue to ensure sustainability of the interstate travel ban as placed by the President.

“We are worried that the number of interstate travelers attempting to enter or pass through the FCT seems to be on the increase daily.”

He called on state governments “to tighten their own end by ensuring interstate travelers are not allowed to move with ease,” adding: “Sadly, some of those arrested here do not seem to understand why we are arresting them.

“This, I believe, is because they now see it as normal because of where they are coming from. This is a presidential order and we must obey it to the letter until the ban is lifted.’’