The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has made it known that he has arrested some BUA workers who he said had violated the law in restriction of movement in the state due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He said this on Monday, pointing out that the BUA workers had been arraigned in court and remanded. “On Sunday, we arrested some staff of BUA, who violated the law. They have been arraigned in court and remanded.”
The Governor, Nyesom Wike had announced on Saturday a total lockdown on parts of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area. The lockdown was supposed to begin from 6am of Sunday, April 19, 2020.
Truck drivers working with the BUA have appealed to the Government of Rivers State to release their colleagues. They said that nine of their colleagues which include motor boys were arrested on Sunday by policemen who deflated the front tyres of their trucks in order to stop them from moving. He also pleaded to the governor to release their colleagues because they did not deliberately disrespect the lockdown order.
Ismail, one of the BUA drivers said their colleagues were taken away by the police between 4pm and 5pm. He said, “Nine of our colleagues were arrested on Sunday. One of those arrested called to tell us that the government was taking them to court. We are begging the governor to have mercy on us.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni said that he had not been briefed on the arrest and prosecution of the BUA workers when he was contacted about it.