Governor of Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has ordered the imposition of a 48hr curfew in the state, starting 6pm on Thursday.
The Governor made the declaration during a live broadcast press briefing on Thursday in Asaba, the Delta state capital.
The former lawmaker also declared the closure of public and private primary and secondary schools till the 2nd of November.
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According to the governor, the decision is informed by the burning and destruction of public properties, armed robbery, and other unwholesome vices perpetrated by suspected hoodlums who hijacked the peaceful #ENDSARS protest in Asaba, on Wednesday night.
He wrote;
I call on all our youth leaders; our influencers; our traditional and religious leaders; and, our parents to work with us to preserve the peace in Delta State.
From all security reports, the unrest is not being caused by people who live in Delta State. This is why we need to defend our state!
In this regard:
1. I am directing the closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools until Monday, November 2nd as we continue to monitor the situation across the state;
2. I am asking for the cooperation of our youth leaders across the state to make themselves available to dialogue with the state government on the way forward — especially with the work of the Judicial Panel of Enquiry; and
3. Because of the arson, robberies and other pockets of unrest that we experienced last night, I am imposing a 48-hour curfew across Delta State. This curfew will begin at 6pm today.
This curfew means that only those on essential duties and services will be allowed to move about. All other citizens and residents will be required to sit at home. After this initial 48-hour period, we will review the situation on ground.
I thank you all for your cooperation and pray that together, we will overcome this difficult time.
Okowa joins his counterparts in Lagos, Edo, Rivers and other states in imposing curfews following the excesses of suspected hoodlums parading as protesters.
