Rivers State Governor,Nyesom Wike has ordered a 24-hour curfew in Oyigbo local government and some other local government areas of the state .
The Governor in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday also extended the curfew to Mile 1, Mile 2, Emenike, Ikokwu and Iloaubuchi areas of Port Harcourt Local Government Area as well as Oil Mill area of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
Wike explained that the decision to impose the curfew was taken after a State Security Council meeting which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt earlier on Wednesday.
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Wike stated that while the State Government appreciated and commended the peaceful nature of the ongoing #EndSARS protests , it was becoming clear by the day that it has been hijacked by hoodlums.
“Sadly, it is becoming clear by the day that the protest has been hijacked by hoodlums to unleash carnage and destroy property.”
“Earlier today, some hoodlums attacked and destroyed Police Stations and Court buildings in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the State.Another set of hooligans were also on rampage at the Ikokwu spare parts markets disturbing public peace and damaging property.”
“As a Government, we cannot watch helplessly and allow trouble-makers to take the laws into their hands and use the current situation to create a state of panic and insecurity.”
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“Consequently, the State’s Security Council met today and decided to take the following measures to secure lives and property in the State:
” A 24-hour curfew has been imposed on Mile 1, Mile 2, Emenike, Ikokwu and Iloaubuchi arears of Port Harcourt from 6.30 p.m. today 21st October 2020.”” A 24-hour curfew has been imposed on the entire Oyigbo Local Government Area and on oil mill area in Obio/Akpor local Government Area from 6.30 p.m. today, 21st October 2020
“Governor Wike urged all citizens to remain vigilant and report all suspicious characters to the security agencies for immediate action.
He however directed local Government chairmen to mobilize vigilantes and work with security agencies to enforce the curfew and ensure that no hoodlum is allowed to disturb the peace or destroy lives and property in their Local Government Areas.
He therefore appealed to the youths not to allow themselves to be used to roll-back the peace in the State under any pretext.