#EndSARS Protests: Akeredolu imposes 24-hour curfew in Ondo

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has directed that there should be 24- hour curfew in the state till further notice.

Governor Akeredolu made this known on Tuesday night during a special broadcast to address the people of the state on the nationwide protests organized by the youths on alleged police brutality by officers and men of the defunct Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS).

According to him, the curfew starts by 12 midnight Tuesday.

The governor said that certain elements had hijacked the agitation originally meant to correct the manifest wrongs for which the operatives of the defunct FSARS were accused of.

Governor Akeredolu, who noted that the state had not experienced any ugly trend of the #EndSARS, noted that confidence that the good people of the state would continue to display the same level of patriotism as the problem is not local.

He decried the attack of Correctional Centres where criminals and inmates were set free in other states, adding that it portends grave consequences for the country.

“Some Police Stations have been burnt and arms and ammunition carted away. Some lives have been lost and property destroyed. The implications of this for the health of the society can better be imagined,” Akeredolu added.

The Governor urged the people of the state to stand against all acts which depict the people as barbaric and destructive.

He said, “We must all resist the temptations to join the bandwagon of directionless and unpatriotic Nigerians. The Government is looking seriously into all these issues with a view to resolving them and giving our youth’s confidence.

“This Administration has the obligation to protect all citizens including the youths. It will not shirk its responsibility in this regard.”

“All parents and guardians are advised to ensure that their wards are kept in their homes.

“All bars, banks, shops, petrol stations, shopping malls, markets, motor parks, and all public spaces are to comply with this directive forthwith except those on essentials services will be permitted to be on the road. Security agencies have been directed to ensure compliance.”