(Ilorin)
About 251 suspected persons, mostly almajiris, have been intercepted in kwara state by security agencies since the ban on inter-state travel came into effect in the country about a month ago, Duaglobalnews reports.
The recent one being that of about 200 suspected Almajiris intercepted at Kanbi/Oloru axis of Bode Sadu-Okoolowo express way in the state.
The online publication recalls that security agencies had earlier intercepted 31 and 50 suspects in the state in similar circumstances.
The Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the latest interception, said the suspects, travelled to the state in three vehicles: a lorry and two vehicles.
He said they were arrested following an intelligence report on their presence in the state.
He explained that a one Shehu Hashim of Manigi in Niger state, who drove one of the vehicles, with registration No.Kaduna MKA 54 XL, with the almajiris on board was interrogated by the police.
During the, the driver said Hashim said they coming from Funtua in Katsina State, according to the PPRO.
Okasanmi said the vehicles were then escorted, by armed policemen to the border of Niger and Kwara States to Katsina State, where they claimed they from.
According to him,the Commissioner of Policein kwara state, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, gave the instruction for the of the suspects.
The police image maker solicited the cooperation of inhabitants of border communities in the state to always volunteer information to the security agencies on movement of vehicles/people on illegal routes traversing their communities.
He noted that the measure taken by government against inter- state travel was to curb community spread of the pandemic coronavirus, not only in the state but also the country at large.