#ENDSARS PROTEST: ANAMBRA STATE GOVT DECLARES 24 HOUR CURFEW

Reporters: CHUKWUDI CHUKWUENYEM & ONYIYE CHIJIOBI

Anambra State Government has imposed a twenty-four hour curfew from 8pm Thursday October 22, 2020 until further notice.

Governor Willie Obiano made the announcement during a statewide broadcast.

According to the Governor, the curfew becomes neccessary following the unpleasant incidents recorded so far and rising tension in the area.

While describing the anger of the #EndSARS protesters as justifiable, Governor Obiano declared that all schools and markets in the state had been closed down, stressing that all forms of large gatherings were banned.

He lamented that the peace and tranquility being experienced in the state for the past seven years was under threat.

Governor Obiano said that the security agencies were on notice to do the needful, asking them to resist being provoked to the extent of using extreme force to put things under control.

The Governor called on stakeholders, including the clergy, traditional rulers, youth leaders, to lend their voices and help address the escalating situation, adding that the sum of two hundred million naira was approved to compensate families of those affected by SARS brutality in the state.

He reiterated his administration’s zeal in ensuring that lives and property of both indigenes and non- indigenes were protected.

Governor Obiano stated that it was not time for destructive rumours but a time to unite and keep Anambra State safe.

In the meantime, some police stations, government offices and other public infrastructure in Awka were set ablaze.