Some federal lawmakers have said the uncontrolled movement of almajiris into the Southern part of Nigeria is increasing the spread of coronavirus [Covid-19].

They argued that the movement of Almajiris to the South was capable of frustrating government efforts at curtailing the spread of coronavirus.

According to the Punch Newspaper, the Senator representing the Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, George Sekibo, noted with concern that the activities of the Almajirai contravened the Quarantine Act.

He said,

“The movement of Almajirai from the North to South is against the COVID-19 regulations especially the Presidential order banning interstate travelling.

“If that is so, it becomes very wrong for some people from Adamawa, Kano, Kaduna or anywhere, to find themselves through whatever means, in Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Rivers states.

“The appropriate punishments for defaulters are contained in the Quarantine Act. For me, any defaulter should go through the due process of the law and be given the appropriate punishment.

“They (Almajirai) have always been moving like that, it became public knowledge simply because there is a lockdown. We wouldn’t have known, if there is no lockdown.

“For them, they don’t listen to radio and television. They don’t even know that COVID – 19 is in existence. Nothing concerns them.

“They have leaders. Their leaders are of the same tribe with them. They should stop them from moving to other states at this critical period.

“They are lawless and they are violating the law on interstate movement. I have not travelled to Rivers State, where I come from since the announcement of the lockdown and I don’t plan to visit the place soon so that I will not be quarantined.

“I will encourage any state government to start arresting those northern young men who are travelling up and down and send them to court and jail them. At such an emergency period, we must be orderly.

“We must follow regulations. We must follow the prescription from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The figure of infected persons is going up because people are now behaving the way they want.

“There will be a catastrophe in this country in the next few weeks if the trend is not checked. I advocate a proper lockdown so that everybody will be able to stay at home for 28 days and we will be able to clean up.”

The Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Abdulfatai Buhari, advised people to form vigilante groups, adding that security agents should remain vigilant to guard against infiltrations.

Also the Senator representing Benue South, Abba Moro, urged the security agencies to ensure proper enforcement of the presidential order on lockdown to minimise the spread of COVID – 19.

He said,

“The primary responsibility of government is to protect lives and property of the people. Government should rise to the occasion and end insecurity by giving security operatives the necessary marching order.”