…as hoodlums burns two police stations, attacks Zone 5, set prisoners free
By Okosun Dennis
This is certainly not a good image for Edo State, the heartbeat of Nigeria as demonstrating uncommon resilience during the last Governorship election as hoodlums have attacked the Zone 5 Headquarters, burnt down two police stations and broke into the Sapele Correctional Facility and set prisoners free.
As a result, the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has declared a 24-hour curfew following the jail break at the Benin Nigerian Correctional Centre headquarters.
It was learnt that the two police stations set ablazed are Ugbeku police station at Upper Sakpoba road and Idogbo police station at Airport road and Oba Market.
One of the officers who spoke on condition of anonymity said police men at the Zone 5 chased the hoodlums away with tear has before they could get access into the Headquarters.
It was also learnt that in one of the police station, a hoodlum made away with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) uniform.
A statement by Osarodion Ogie Esq, Secretary to the State Government, Edo State on Monday read in part, “The Edo State Government hereby imposes a 24-hour curfew across the state till further notice. The curfew is to take effect from 4pm, today, October 19, 2020.”
This decision has become necessary because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of #EndSARS protesters.
“While the government of Edo State respects the rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit idly when hoodlums have taken laws into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the state.”
“By this directive, schools and businesses are to shutdown activities accordingly. Those who cannot move safely are to stay put between now and 4pm till calmness is restored.”
“Parents are advised to rein in their children, youths and wards, to forestall further breakdown of law and order.”
“The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and maintain law and order, therefore, anyone found outside in violation of the curfew would be dealt with according to the law,” Osarodion reiterated in the statement.
An unconfirmed report has it that some of the hoodlums are matching to Oko Correctional Facility with a view to seeing the prisoners free.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/edo-government-imposes-24-hour-curfew/
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