Sanwo-Olu imposes 24-hour curfew in Lagos as violence escalates

Lagos State, Nigeria’s sprawling commercial capital, has announced the imposition of a one-day curfew starting at 4pm today (Tuesday) as a two-week-old protest against police brutality that has led to the death of no less than 15 people spirals out of control.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos state governor, disclosed this via Twitter Tuesday.

“Nobody except essential service providers and first responders must be found on the streets,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Sanwo-Olu said the curfew was important after what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of the state.

Read also: #EndSARS: Three hours later, Lagos State Police Commissioner yet to address Lagosians

“Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our state,” he said.

“As a government that is alive to its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the movement #ENDSARS, we will not watch and allow anarchy in our dear state,” he added.

Edo state had imposed a similar curfew yesterday to quell the protests.