Despite being certified Ebola-free by the World Health Organization, Nigeria still faces a looming threat of the virus being re-introduced into the country.
This threat is being worsened by the fact that road travellers into the country are not being as vigorously screened as those who arrive Nigeria by air.
According to investigations conducted by online news platform, The Cable, the Nigeria-Republic of Benin border, through which a mass horde of African travellers pass, is becoming increasingly porous.
The border has the usual check points but according to The Cable, there are over 20 illegal routes through which travellers can enter into Nigeria illegally without inspection.
Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Mali are currently battling Ebola and any of the travellers who manage to sneak into Nigeria through one of these illegal entrances might have visited one of the affected countries and might pose a risk to the Nigerian populace.
Abdul Asiyanbi, a resident of Oyo told The Cable:
“I departed Nigeria through Kenu village in the Baruten Local Government of Kwara State. There was no screening whatsoever. We just saw publicity materials of Ebola posted around border communities but there was no one to screen”
A border official also said:
“The present state of the border is nothing to write home about. It’ll cost Nigeria just a little amount of money to secure the border. The government should erect a fence and get people to man it.”
Nigeria was declared Ebola-free on October 20 but health experts have warned that the risk is not over until the outbreak has ended in all the affected countries.
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