Men of the Abia State Vigilante Service on Friday arrested no fewer than twenty four market women parked in a container truck, at the Ekwereazu Ngwa boundary between Abia and Akwa Ibom states. Ekwereazu is a border community in Obingwa LGA, ABN TV reports.

The women who came from Akwa Ibom state and were on their way to Aba, were arrested with the truck driver and two of his conductors for violating the border closure and lockdown order by the State Government.

The Commissioner for Home land security, Prince Dan Okoli who was at the scene noted that the situation where people are smuggled into the State poses a great threat to the efforts by the State government to contain the spread of Covid-19.

According to a statement signed by Onyebuchi Ememanka, the Chief Press Secretary to Abia State governor, the driver of the truck, Moses Asuquo from Akwa Ibom State claimed he was going to Aba to purchase stock fish but decided to assist the stranded women.

Recall that recently, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu charged the Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen in all the border communities in the State to tighten up their borders or face sanctions.

The women were sent back to Akwa Ibom from that spot while the driver and his conductors were arrested and handed over to the State Police Command for further action. The vehicle was also impounded.

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