Ayade declares 24-hr curfew in Cross River as residents cart away COVID-19 palliatives

Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River, has declared a 24-hour curfew in the state.

In a statement on Friday, Christian Ita, special adviser to the governor on media and publicity, said the curfew takes immediate effect following unrest in the state as a result of the #EndSARS protest.

He said security operatives have been ordered to arrest anyone who flouts the curfew, adding that the peaceful protest against police brutality has been hijacked by hoodlums.

“Following the hijacking of the peaceful protest against police brutality in the state by hoodlums, the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade has imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state starting from 6pm on Friday, October 23, 2020,” Ita said.

“Residents of the state are advised to observe the curfew as security agents have been mandated to arrest anybody who flouts it.”

Earlier in the day, some residents broke into some warehouses in Calabar, the state capital, and carted away COVID-19 food palliatives, including rice, noodles, garri, generating sets and salt.

The warehouses vandalised by the residents were said to be located at barracks road, state housing area, garment house and Ekorinim road.

Aside from Cross River, warehouses containing COVID-19 palliatives in Lagos, Osun, and Kwara have been looted.