The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 says it will apprehend, quarantine, and ensure inbound passengers disobeying safety protocols bear the cost of testing for the virus.

Mukhtar Mohammed, PTF National Incident Manager, said this on Monday in Abuja at the PTF COVID-19 national briefing.

“We intend to apply the full force of the law over such violators, and this includes fines and imprisonment.

“Our aim is not to witch-hunt or punish anyone but to ensure people travel safely and when they return to the country that they do not constitute a nuisance to their loved ones and the community.”

He added, “PTF is aware of the report of syndicates at some international airports outside Nigeria which specialise in providing fake results to innocent Nigerians who are travelling back home.

“While investigating the matter … I will like to reiterate that it is the responsibility of passengers returning to Nigeria to ensure that they are tested before they start returning.

“You cannot be given a negative result when your samples have not been taken. Please, understand this and comply.”

According to Mr. Mohammed, passengers with a fake COVID-19 result will be quarantined, and bear the cost of using the quarantine facility, feeding, and laboratory test.

He warned that the person would also be liable to prosecution, stating that the task force received reports of technical challenges experienced by people returning to the country.

Mr. Mohammed, however, disclosed that the government had set up a manual backup process.

(NAN)