Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has directed that the prevailing curfew in Aba and Umuahia, be relaxed to now take effect from 6.00pm to 6.00am from Sunday, October 25, 2020.
The Governor in a statement, signed by John Okiyi Kalu, State’s commissioner for Information, stated that all markets are to be reopened during the day, while market committees and security teams were asked to mobilize adequate security to watch over the markets at night and during the day.
The State Government also directed all commercial tricycle (Keke) operators to vacate the roads during the curfew time of 6pm-6am, daily, to avoid being caught in the evil plans of armed urchins, who want to hide under the noble cause of genuine #EndSARS protests to perpetrate acts of brigandage, arson, armed robbery, and other violent crimes
The government warned that tricycle operators that fail to heed the directive will have themselves to blame, as security agents have been authorized to impound and detain erring operators with their tricycles till the current curfew regime is lifted.
Also, Public and private schools will remain closed until further notice.
The Abia State Governor also urged transition council chairmen (TCC) of local governments to take charge of their local areas, to ensure the protection of human and material resources within their domain.
This is as he equally enjoined religious leaders to continue to pray for total restoration of peace, as well as admonish their members on the need to take responsibility for the earliest end to the disturbances.
The Abia State Government however noted that it received reports that strange individuals are moving into the State en-masse with possible nefarious intentions and directed hotel proprietors and managers to properly scrutinize new guests and report suspicious persons to security agents for appropriate review.
“We also wish to inform the general public that we have received reports that some yet to be identified enemies of Ndigbo, are planning to unleash mayhem and burn down some major markets in the State in order to cause sorrow and tears to the hardworking people of the State and possibly provoke mass uprising”.
Consequently, Ikpeazu directed market committees and security teams to mobilize immediately and protect the markets.
The Governor further appealed to those behind the dastardly plot, aimed at frustrating the livelihood of Ndigbo, who are still struggling to recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to have a rethink.
He stated that security agencies have been mobilized to protect the markets and key public and private infrastructure in the State and called on the people to allow good sense prevail and not engage in any activity that will further harm their lives and wellbeing.
At the market and street levels, Ikpeazu encouraged the people to form vigilantes and neighborhood watch to safeguard themselves and stop those wishing to harm them.
