… Curfew Order Still Active, Edo Government Warns
Despite the declaration of curfew by the Edo State government, Benin residents and some hoodlums defiled the order and set blockades and bonfires along some major roads and streets in the metropolis.
Edo State government had, in a statement signed by Secretary to the State government, Osarodion Ogie on Monday declared 24 hours curfew in the state following the breakdown of law and order.
The breakdown of law and order led to burning of four police stations in Benin and breaking of two custodian centres of the Nigeria Correctional Centre and the consequent escape of inmates in custody.
READ ALSO: EndSARS Protest: Journalist Escapes Gun Bullets In Edo
However, in places such as Ekehuan road, Akpakpava road, Sakponba road, Airport road, etc visited, few commercial vehicles were seen picking commuters while some private vehicles were also moving.
No security personnel was sighted in all areas visited by Info Daily.
At the popular Oba market, petty traders, though very few, were seen selling and going about their normal businesses.
At Joromi junction, Ekehuan road, some deviant street urchins and youths mounted road blocks as they killed a live goat to cook a bag of rice to feed their members.
READ ALSO: EndSARS: Benin Boils As Protesters Invade Correctional Centres, Free Imates, Set Vehicles Ablaze
They were also seen extorting money from motorists who were driving.
In addition, bonfires and blockades were set at several junctions along Sakponba and Upper Sakponba as well as New Benin areas by youths despite the curfew.
Meanwhile, Edo State Government warned that the 24-hour (round-the-clock) curfew imposed in the state on October 19, 2020 is active till further notice.
Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, in a statement in Benin urged parents and guardians to restrain their children, wards and youths from flouting the order, as security agencies woukd not spare any errant individual.
READ ALSO: Vehicle Crushes Four EndSARS Protesters To Dead In Edo
He reminded all that the curfew was imposed on Monday when the #ENDSARS protests turned violent, leading to two jailbreaks and the burning of at least five police stations within the Benin metropolis, as well as various degrees of public disturbances in other major cities across the state.
“As such, everyone is expected to remain indoors, stressing that “Security agencies have been deployed in the streets to ensure full compliance and anyone found contravening the directive will be dealt with according to the law,” Osagie added.
Photo: File