Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday, declared a two-days curfew in the state as protest against police brutality turned violent in the state.
The governor’s order came barely 24-hours after some yet-to-be-identified hoodlums’ on Wednesday night vandalized and set ablaze the newly reconstructed Koka junction recreation centre in Asaba, the state capital.
Okowa who declared the order on Thursday morning in a live broadcast directed all public and private primary and secondary schools in the state to shut down for two weeks.
The curfew which will start Thursday by 6:pm in the state would last till Saturday 6:pm.
Governor Okowa said that it appears that the #ENDSARS protest has been hijacked by some misguided and opportunistic elements, adding that the sad situation threatens to plunge the state into chaos and anarchy.
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He disclosed that some government buildings were burnt last night in Asaba, the State capital.
“It does appear that the #ENDSARS protest has been hijacked by some misguided and opportunistic elements. This sad situation threatens to plunge the state into chaos and anarchy.
“It is a clear and present danger that we must stop from happening, only last night, some government buildings were burnt in Asaba.
“From all intelligence reports, the people who caused the crisis of last night are not from Delta State but the opportunities of the protests have given rise to this.
“I want to please appeal to the conscience of our youths, while we have the right to air our grievances, I believe that we all collectively need to defend our state, we need to be able to conserve resources even at this very critical time of global economic downturn.
“We cannot afford to allow miscreants from other states to destroy that which we have built over the past few years.
“In the meantime, I have ordered the closure of all Public and Private Primary and Secondary schools in Delta State until Monday, November 2, 2020.
“And because of the incident that took place last night, I herby impose a 48-hour curfew starting 6 pm today October 22, 2020.
“It, therefore, means that everybody is expected to seat at home excepting those on very essential service in the next 48 hours starting 6 pm today. Thereafter, we will review the situation and know what next to take.
“I appeal to our youths for cooperation, it is not about you, it is not about the protest that you have started. We believe in your cause and we support your cause, but unfortunately, the process is already being hijacked by criminals,” Okowa said
