State Government Extends 24-hour Curfew Till Further Notice In Edo

The Edo State Government has extended the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state on October 19, 2020, till further notice.

The government made this extension on Tuesday, October 20 following investigations and understanding the need to restore peace amidst uproar in the state as a result of attacks and jailbreak by hoodlums who allegedly hijacked the #EndSARS protests in the state.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser, Media and Communication Strategy to the state government, Crusoe Osagie, the state government said the 24-hour curfew imposed in the state subsists and will be active until further notice.

“The Edo State Government has said that the 24-hour (round-the-clock) curfew imposed in the state on October 19, 2020, subsists and is active till further notice. As such, everyone is expected to remain indoors.”

In the statement, the state government explained that security agencies have been deployed to ensure full compliance and defaulters will be dealt with.

He further urged parents and guardians to restrain their children, youths and wards from flouting the orders.

“Security agencies have been deployed to the streets to ensure full compliance and anyone found contravening the directive will be dealt with according to the law. Parents and guardians are urged to restrain their children, youths and wards from flouting the order, as security agencies will not spare any errant individual.”

Reacting to the alleged jailbreak the state government said the total number of inmates released is not known yet but investigations are ongoing.

Governor Obaseki, however, urged Edo citizens and residents to obey the directives for the collective good of all.

“The authorities are yet to confirm the total number of inmates released to the streets, as investigations are still ongoing, which necessitate the shutdown in the state. The government is committed to maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property in the state, and urges Edo citizens and residents to obey the directives for the collective good of all.”

Following this extension, residents expressed their joy, stating that the extension will prevent further breakdown of law and order as suspected hoodlums allegedly mount roadblocks on some major roads in the city.

Citizens are optimistic, however, that the fear and tension stirred in the state over vandalism and attacks on private individuals and properties will soon recede, leading the return to normalcy.