In spite of the 24- curfew imposed in Edo State by the state government on Monday, suspected hoodlums in the guise of the #EndSAR protest on Tuesday defied the order in some part of the state.
Edo State government had on Monday, October 19, 2020, declared a 24-hour curfew to forestall further breakdown of law and order following incidents of vandalism and attacks on public and private institutions and individuals.
The youths suspected to be genuine #EndSARS protesters also defiled the government curfew order.
In some areas like Upper Sakponba, Ikpoba Hill, Sapele, Ekenwan, Ugbowo at the University of Benin main gate, New Benin and Aduwawa, the protesters barricaded the roads as well as engaged in extortion of money from motorists and motorcyclists.
The suspected hoodlums also barricaded Upper mission extension by lucky way junction, Lucky way junction by Ramat park, Evbuotobu, Dumez road and Agbor road all in Benin City.
They also set bonfire and prepared meals on tarred roads while vehicles, especially private owned and few commercial transporters were seen moving on the road.
There was no presence of security operatives on the roads to enforce the curfew, except at the University of Benin’s main gate, where the purported genuine #EndSARS protesters converged and being monitored by the men of the Nigeria Police Force.
The hoodlums, however, attacked and set ablaze the Oba market police.
They had on Monday attempted to burn down the Station but their action was resisted by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and other officers who released tear gas canister to chase them away.
Read also: #EndSARS: Business activities bounce back in Edo days after unrest
There was, however, a reported case of gunshots exchange between security agents and hoodlums at Santana market along Sapele road in Oredo local government area.
At Adolor junction in Egor Local Government Area, the road was blocked, while at UNIBEN main gate and Limit axis of Sapele road in Oredo local government area, some persons were seen cooking.
At the Upper Sakpoba area, the protesters were seen driving a caterpillar while mocking the government curfew as unnecessary and without any effect.
There were also reports of large scale pickpockets and extortion of people by the hoodlums who virtually took over major roads and streets in the state capital.
Those on essential duties like the media, health officials, BEDC among others were not spared as they were also forced to pay a token before they could drive past the barricades.
A motorist, who spoke on condition of anonymity attributed the extortion and harassment of citizens by the hoodlums to the nonpresence of security personnel to enforce the curfew.
He, however, appealed to the state government as a matter of urgency to interact with heads of security operatives in the state with a view to enforcing its curfew.
While noting that the interaction with heads of security operatives will help to avert Monday’s incident, he added that Edo state is now a haven for hoodlums to unleash mayhem on innocent persons.
One of the protesters at the UNIBEN main gate, who described the group as the genuine #EndSARS protesters in the state, said officers of the Nigerian Police are with them to provide security cover while media personnel are giving them coverage.
A civil servant who also pleaded anonymity said thugs and street boys have hijacked everything including the curfew from the government.
The civil servant who resides in Ikpoba Hill area said the hoodlums are everywhere in Ikpoba Hill blocking the major highways and streets.
“In my area there is nothing, boys are still blocking the road and collecting money from motorists at Benin Agbor road in lkpoba hill”, he said.
Another motorist who spoke on condition of anonymity said he paid N200 at every roadblock mounted by the hoodlums.
“I’m trying to find my way to Agbor. I’ve been paying N200 at every point mounted by the boys. And as you can see, there are still many more before the by-pass.
“Commercial motorcyclists who risk conveying passengers, charge N2,500 for a ride from Jehovah Junction to Ramat Park, a journey that cost N80 on a normal day,” he said.
Meanwhile, some youths were seen along the Benin/Agbor road, with a coffin, saying that they were “burying the present federal government with its bad policies.”
