Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has accused the federal government of bias in over the relocation of almajiri kids to their states of origin.
In April, the 17 governors in the northern part of the country have agreed to ban almajiri system in order to curb the spread of coronavirus in the region.
States like Kano, Nasarawa and Kaduna have returned some of the almajiri kids to their states of origin in the recent times.
Speaking with traditional rulers and local council chairmen at the government house on Tuesday, Wike alleged that the federal government who refused to condemn the repatriation of almajiri kids by some northern states, made a declaration against inter-state movement when Rivers relocated them.
He asked the traditional leaders to set up a task force in their communities to enforce the closure of markets, hotels and pubs across the state.
“When they started relocating the almajiri in the north, the federal government said nothing. Immediately they heard that we have relocated some almajiri, they came up with the declaration that it is against the inter-state movement. Why this double standard?” he asked
“Set up your own task force in your respective domains and implement the closure of markets, hotels and beer parlours.
“This task force is strictly for COVID-19. The state government will support all traditional rulers to carry out these responsibilities.”
The state has recorded 14 cases of COVID-19.
