Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on Friday announced that security agents have arrested 22 workers of Exxon Mobil.
The oil workers according to Wike were arrested for entering Rivers State from Akwa Ibom in violation of the State Executive Order restricting movement to contain spread of COVID-19.
The governor while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt, the state capital added that the Exxon Mobil issue will be a test case in legal jurisprudence in the country.
“Security agencies arrested 22 staff of Exxon Mobil who came into the state from neighbouring Akwa Ibom State in violation of the extant Executive Order restricting movement into the state. We do not know the coronavirus status of these individuals.
“Even though security agencies advised that they be allowed to go back to Akwa Ibom State, I insisted that the law must take its course. This is because nobody is above the law.
“As a responsive government, we have quarantined them in line with the relevant health protocols and they will be charged to court,” he said.
The Rivers State Governor noted that health protection of the people of Rivers State is his priority especially at this period of a pandemic.
He also vowed to prosecute the Exxon Mobil workers.
“The right thing must be done. We are talking about something that is killing people. They want coronavirus to escalate in Rivers State. The law must be tested. Make sacrifice and let us contain the virus.”
Governor Wike also announced that the second case of the virus in Rivers State has been discharged.
