Anambra State Government has declared a 24-hour curfew in the state with effect from 8pm of Thursday, October 22nd, 2020.
Governor Willie Obiano made the announcement during a statewide broadcast in Awka, the state capital.
Obiano said the the curfew has become necessary due to unpleasant incidents recorded so far, as well as rising tension in the land.
While describing the anger of the #EndSARS protesters as justifiable, Governor Obiano declared that all schools and markets in the state have been closed down, stressing that all large gatherings in any form are banned.
He said that the security agencies are on notice to do the needful, asking them to resist all efforts to provoke them to the use of extreme force.
The Governor called on stakeholders including the clergy, traditional rulers, youth leaders, among others, to lend their voices and help address the escalating situation, adding that the sum of two hundred million naira has been approved to compensate families of those affected by SARS brutality in the state.
According to Governor Obiano, “This is not the time for destructive rumours, but a time to unite and keep Anambra state safe.”
In the same vein, Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has imposed a 48-hour curfew in the state.
The curfew came as a result of Wednesday night’s arson and destruction of government property in Asaba by some youths “disguising as protesters.”
He also announced the closure of public and private primary and secondary schools in the state until November 2, 2020.
Mr Okowa made this known in a statewide broadcast in Asaba on Thursday saying that the curfew would commence at 6 pm on Thursday.
He said that the peaceful protests by #ENDSARS protesters had been hijacked by suspected criminals, and stated that the state government would not watch the elements to have a field day.
The governor commended the #ENDSARS protesters for their peaceful conduct, but appealed to them to give peace a chance by allowing the government to address their demands.
He also appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that their children and wards were properly accounted for, and urged traditional rulers and opinion leaders to lend their voices to the appeal.
The governor urged youth leaders, community mobilisers and social media influencers, to have a rethink on the protest in the interest of the nation.
“My dear people of Delta State, it has become necessary for me to address you following the unfortunate turn of events in our nation.”
