Reeling under a 15-hour curfew imposed by the Akwa Ibom government, many people have come to grips with the reality of huge losses after a night of rage by protesters.
It left on its trail several damaged buildings in Uyo, the state capital as hoodlums unleashed mayhem in the city.
The curfew was announced Thursday night after the protest turned violent with reports alleging that at least two persons have been shot dead.
It all began in the morning of Thursday when those claiming to be protesting against police brutality under the aegis of EndSARS campaign blocked major roads in the state capital forcing motorists to make detours within the city centre.
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Consisting mostly of young boys, carrying placards, the protesters accosted motorists and extorted money from them and also robbing them of valuables including phones and other accessories.
The protest got to a head when they attempted to block a vehicle conveying inmates from Uyo correctional centre to Ikot Ekpene covid-19 isolation centre.
It was gathered that an official of the Uyo correctional centre reportedly opened fire which hit one of the protesters who layered died on the way to the hospital.
However, authorities of Nigerian Correctional Service, Akwa Ibom State command have denied that one its officers shot dead a protester saying the reports making the rounds are fake.
The command’s Public Relations Officer Ogbajie Ogbajie in a statement acknowledged that “Correctional officers at Uyo Custodial Center were transferring inmates on admission to the covid-19 isolation centre at Ikot Ekpene Custodial Center today 22nd October 2020 by 1520hrs.
” On their way to Ikot Ekpene Custodial Center, they were accosted by an angry mob at Akpakpa Street off Barracks road Uyo,” but did explain how the protester was killed, denying any knowledge about the alleged shooting by an official of Uyo custodial centre.
“The officers on sighting the angry mob quickly reversed in order not to allow the mob to release the inmates and went back to Uyo Custodial Center.”
According to him, “Controller of Corrections, wants to inform the general public that, after a thorough investigation by the officer-in-charge of Uyo Custodial Center this evening, that no protester was shot or killed by men of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Akwa Ibom State Command.”
With the attack on government buildings which saw the imposing Anchor Insurance building in the heart of Uyo go up in flames including the administrative office of the state broadcaster being touched as well the privately-owned Access bank office along barracks road set on fire, the people are obviously counting their losses
Other facilities Zenith Bank, Aka Road, De Choice Mall, Techno House by Ikpa road, LG Showroom, Ikot Ekpene Road among others.
Vice-chairman, Uyo local government council, Ukai Udeme said the attack has escalated to worrisome levels and has led to the loss of innocent lives in addition to the property destroyed.
He described the attack as “barbaric act orchestrated by some miscreants under the guise of #EndSARS protesters.”
According to Charles Udoh, commissioner for environment and petroleum resources, “Government is looking desperately for more ways and means of creating jobs in Akwa Ibom and a few senseless miscreants are destroying already existing jobs outlets!…and you are watching?
He said “anybody burning properties in the name of protest is an enemy of the Akwa Ibom People adding that “only mercenaries will destroy properties that put food on the table of our brothers and sisters.”
Drawing an analogy of what happened years ago, he said the facilities of a football club in Eket were attacked and set ablaze saying the consequence was the loss of many jobs.
” Mobil Pegasus Club was bubbling and it attracted so many people including employees, contractors of the oil giant and friends.
“Those facilities created both direct and indirect job opportunities mainly for Indigenes of Akwa Ibom state
“I once played football for Mobil Pegasus Football Club to support myself in school. That’s one of the reasons I have a voice today.
“Today, many more young people would still have the opportunity I had but what happened?
” In one of the protests between ExxonMobil and host community of Eket, some youth burnt down Mobil Pegasus Club sacking all their sons and daughters who were employed in that facility.
“This happened about 20 years and all promptings for the company to put back that facility failed on deaf ears and till date, the place is only inhabitable for street urchins and criminals.
“Who were the losers, Akwa Ibom state Indigenes.
“Dear people of Akwa Ibom State, do not allow anyone or groups to push you to destroy any business premises or infrastructure for whatever reasons.
“Do not allow criminal elements or aliens living in our midst to push you to destroy your home. You will have no place to hide your head.
” Don’t destroy businesses that have employed our sons and daughters. Don’t be foolish in your reasoning.
“No level of provocation should lead you to destroy what you have. Don’t be foolish to copy nonsense as you may be unlucky to survive the consequences.
“When you join hoodlums to loot people’s businesses and set government properties and other infrastructures ablaze, we are the losers. Let’s defend what we have or we lose it and pay dearly for it.”
Meanwhile, the state government has extended the curfew till 7 am on Saturday, 24th October.
Ini Ememobong, commissioner for information and strategy said in a statement that “the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel has extended the curfew, which was initially due to expire by noon of 23rd October 2020 till 7 am on Saturday, 24th October 2020.
According to him, “it is due to developing situations being monitored by the state government and security agencies and the inevitable need to protect citizens and property, based on overriding the public interest.
“This curfew has a statewide effect. Expectedly, there will be a total cessation of movement, except for those on essential duties, who must show proper identification.
“All law-abiding citizens are advised to remain at home, as security agencies have been briefed to strictly enforce this order.”
Condemning the attacks, the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, said the attacks on the administrative building of Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) located along Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo and other facilities within the metropolis by hoodlums masquerading as #ENDSARS protesters were senseless and misguided.
“These attacks are uncalled for and meaningless. Certainly, this is not the way to go. It is a classic case of blaming the doctor for the disease of the victim.”
“We urge security agencies to be on top of the situation to prevent further wanton destruction of lives and property and also ensure that perpetrators of these dastardly acts are brought to book in accordance with the laws of our State.”
Amos Etuk and Dominic Akpan, chairman and secretary of the council respectively said in a statement that “the Union further commends Governor Udom Emmanuel for the swift response to the ugly development by imposing a curfew in the State to control the situation.”Press Release
Lamenting the losses, Emmanuel Ekuwem, secretary to the state government said “the people whom the peaceful demonstration sought to protect have become the victims of violent protest because, in mob action, no one is safe. ”
In a statement entitled ‘Akwa Ibom is all we have,’ he noted that the youths in the state had gathered in Uyo last week to register their solidarity with victims of police brutality and to draw the attention of the world to the prevalence of these issues.
“In response, the Governor has swiftly taken steps to assuage the protesters by setting up and inaugurating a Judicial Panel of Investigation.
“As at today, we have witnessed scenarios where the protests were clearly hijacked by hoodlums who were attacking public and private property and looting business premises, which confirm the earlier intelligence available to us on the planned hijack of the peaceful demonstrations.
“To this end, we appeal to all genuine protesting groups to please suspend their protest due to the obvious hijack by negative minded elements.
“The protesters and other victims should rather use the opportunity provided by the Panel of Investigation.
“We cannot, therefore, allow strangers to invade our state and destroy our public and private property, which we laboured strenuously to build and acquire over decades.
“To allow these unpatriotic elements to destroy private or public property will be to surrender our land to evil plunder and we will have ourselves to blame when all of this is over.
“As we have seen in other parts of the country, today we witnessed the protests take a violent turn, where innocent citizens have been brutalized and property destroyed.
“As the curfew imposed by the Governor subsists, We ask all Akwa Ibom people to be on red alert and report to the police and other security agencies, any suspicious movements and persons.
“We are trusting that God, who has been our help in ages past and our hope for years to come, will continue to keep our state and citizens safe.
“Akwa Ibom is all we have as God’s piece of real estate for us and we must take practical steps to protect our collective heritage.”
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