On March 27, 2020, Kano state government announced closure of all routes linking to the state from other parts of the country, in its efforts to curtail possible spread of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19).
Read also: A 61-year journey of Nigerian Independence
Daily Telescope learnt that the directive was enforced by a combined team of security operatives by 12midnight of the fateful day. The order prohibited all kinds of vehicular movements coming in or out of the state through land boarders.
Announcing the closure of the routes, the state’s Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said: “This decision is hard, but absolutely necessary, as part of precautionary measures against the deadly COVID-19 possible spread. We urge Kano citizens and all other Nigerians to bear with this difficult situation.”
The government, according to the governor, would take all the necessary steps in making sure that, the state is safeguarded against the deadly disease.
He said: “People must cooperate with health workers and all other stakeholders to make sure that our state is safe and the country in general.”
Social distancing, as advised by health workers, according to the governor, and the need to stay at home by all is an important aspect that should always be observed.
He added that hand washing with soap and running water or cleaning with sanitizer should always be observed by people, emphasising that, “All what health workers are doing is for the benefit of all, to have an improved healthy society with healthy population.”
Read also: From Kankara to Kagara, now Jangebe
The governor, therefore, urged all security agencies including Police Force, Milatry, DSS, Civil Defense, Roads Transport Authority (KAROTA) and Hisbah to ensure enforcement of the banning order.
Daily Telescope observed that the restriction of movement of vehicles has greatly affected the socio-economic status of Kano people. The ban has affected virtually the lives of many people more especially the less privileged.
It further observed that many people had to cancelled their trips to other states due to the ban orders, while others resorted to boarding of exempted vehicles such as ambulances, patrol vans and other vehicles meant for essential services.
Drivers of such vehicles, Daily Telescope observed made brisk business, as they charged travelers huge money transporting them in or out of Kano during the period of ban order.
On March 30, governor Ganduje visited one of the boundaries in Kadawa village, Garun-Malam local government along Kano-Kaduna highway, as part of his efforts to ensure total compliance with interstates banning order.
During the unscheduled visit, the governor caught some defaulters who defied the directive and came to Kano state from Kaduna state.
The defaulters were in separate trips in nine different types of vehicles. There were two Tippers, two Trucks, Two Buses and a Coaster bus. Both drivers and their passengers were forced to turn back to where they came from.
The governor, who moved to other major boundaries across the state after Kadawa, also ordered for the immediate deployment of security personnel to all boundaries of the state to ensure total compliance with the ban directives.
Read also: Kano: PDP, KANSIEC and LG Poll
Daily Telescope learnt that the interstates restriction remained in force till July, 2020 when the state government lifted lockdown, thereby allowing free movement of people and vehicles in the state.
Governor Ganduje, who announced the development during one of the Kano State Task Force on covid-19 Media briefings, said the decision was due to the drastic drop of COVID-19 pandemic threats in Kano state.
