Covid-19: Committee accuses security agents of bribery in Ondo State

Chinazor Megbolu

Caught in the act of collecting tips and allowing commercial vehicles passage, Ondo State Committee members on Covid-19 have accused the security agents stationed at the state borders of bribery.

The committee members were seen on Sunday trading words with the security operatives over bribery allegations levelled against the policemen.

They alleged the policemen were collecting money from commercial drivers to allow them into the State, despite lockdown order by the state government.

The Ondo State government had recently ordered all its border to be closed towards curtailing further spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the State.

The State also announced that vehicles that should be allowed into the State are only trucks conveying food items and petroleum products and must submit to medical personnel stationed at each point to screen designated persons allowed into the state through the borders with the official permit from the Inspector General Police.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Special Duties, Mr. Doyin Odebowale said the security agents denied the allegations when he confronted them.

Odebowale explained the issue concerning the security agents has been frustrating the efforts of the State Government towards stopping the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the state.

“You people are supposed to turn back any unauthorised vehicles but you allow them to pass through. You are corrupt. You are not doing your work.”

The security agents however, maintained they never took bribe from anyone as well as stating that no vehicle ever passed the borders into the State.

According to them, “We don’t collect money from anybody and no vehicle has passed through this place. My men are doing their work accordingly.”

Meanwhile, Head, Medical team at the borders, Dr. Faganyu Adedayo, pointed out that over 120 passengers have been screened adding that those found to be having high temperatures were sent to the State Epidemiologist and Primary Health Care for further testing.

“We are screening people entering the state. Our security personnel are getting those people passing an alternative route to get here and get tested,” he said.

Editing by ‘Biodun Soyele