Akwa Ibom declares dusk-to-dawn curfew

October 26, 2020 12:09 am

Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom, has declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the state.

The curfew, which is till further notice, is to run from 8pm to 7am daily.

The governor had earlier imposed a 15-hour restriction on Thursday night which lasted till 12pm on Friday, but extended it till Saturday morning, following attacks on assets by hoodlums in the state.

An administrative building of the state-owned broadcasting service (AKBC) in Uyo, the state capital, was set ablaze.

Access, Zenith and FCMB bank buildings were also attacked by a mob, just as De Choice mall, a major shopping centre in the state, was not spared.

Emmanuel, in a statement issued on Saturday by Ini Ememobong, commissioner for Information and strategy, said though normalcy has returned to the state, there is need to sustain the peace.

“Though normalcy has returned to the entire State, especially Uyo the capital city after the expiration of the curfew which was imposed from Thursday night till Saturday morning, there is a prevailing need to sustain the gains of the curfew, by increased strategic surveillance and holistic law enforcement,” the statement read.

“That the recovery of looted items currently being executed by the Police is the result of the cooperation and collaboration of informants from the communities.

“To this end, I have directed that, effective today, a daily dusk to dawn (8pm-7am) curfew be imposed State-wide, till further notice, to help check the movement of the remnants of the undesirable elements who created chaos in our State few days ago.

“It is also my directive, gleaned from the agreement by all youth groups in the State, that all demonstrations and protests be suspended forthwith.

“For emphasis, there will be absolute cessation of movement of persons except those on essential duty, who must bear proper identification. Any person who is apprehended within the period of the curfew will be arrested and prosecuted.”

The governor advised the citizens to report any suspicious movement to law enforcement agents.