Five COVID-19 vaccine card racketeers arrested in Bauchi

Story from Ahmad SAKA, Bauchi

Bauchi State government in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and security operatives have arrested about five persons in connection with the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine card racketeering.

The Executive Chairman of Bauchi Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, made this known in his office when COVID-19 champions, led by Halima Ibrahim, sought his permission to embark on rural enlightenment about COVID-19 vaccine misconceptions.

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He said: “Many of the state’s health workers and academia resisted the vaccine, and in collaboration with the police, army and ICPC, we have arrested some people who were buying the vaccine cards without taking the injection. They are now with the security agencies, undergoing investigation”.

“Many people who shunned the jab when flagged off by the Governor, his deputy and House of Assembly Speaker, later contracted the virus. Some people, who got vaccinated and felt the mild side effects of the vaccine, were giving others negative narratives. Some were placing metal and other objects on the spot of the jab.

“We carried out a mass campaign on social media and moved to the rural areas for enlightenment,” he added.