Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom WIke, on Friday announced the arrest of 22 staff of Exxon Mobil Nigeria for entering the state in violation of the State Executive Order on Covid-19.

The governor who made this known during a live broadcast in Port Harcourt, said that the oil workers, who entered Rivers from Akwa Ibom State were arrested by security agencies.

He said: “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. The same law that was applied in the case of Caverton will also apply to ExxonMobil.”

“Federal Authorities are working dangerously to compromise the health protection system of Rivers State and thereby make people vulnerable to Coronavirus’’. Wike said.

The governor also said that the 22 oil workers would be charged to court.

Wike maintained that the same law that was applied during the arrest of Caverton Helicopter pilots and 10 passengers would also be applied in the case of the arrested ExxonMobil employees.

The governor disclosed that Carveton Helicopters had apologized to the state Government over the conduct that led to the arrest of their pilots and passengers for violating the restriction orders.

Wike restated that his administration followed due process in its actions against Carveton Helicopters,