The 24-hour curfew imposed by Rivers State Government in Oyigbo Urban City, in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State is having a deep toll on hundreds of the inhabitants of the Local Government Council.
Governor Nyesom Wike had, on the heels of the violent protest by hoodlums in Oyigbo Urban City where three police stations, government and private properties were set ablaze, imposed 24-hour curfew.
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Hoodlums under the guise of ENDSARS protest had on Wednesday night invaded Oyigbo Police Area Command, killed two officers and burnt the station.
About 50 vehicles parked inside the station, were burnt down.
The hoodlums thereafter proceeded to other police stations in Afam and Umuebule and raised them down killing two police officers.
The governor imposed the curfew and ordered the deployment of soldiers immediately.
Since the imposition of the curfew the residents, especially those residing in Oyigbo Urban have complained of the difficulties they are facing.
Niger Delta reports following the curfew three markets in the area were shut down as well as shops, pharmacies and petrol stations.
Some of the residents who spoke with our reporter said that they were dying of hunger and appealed to the governor to relax the curfew to enable them restock and take care of their medical needs.
A resident, Henry Nwachukwu said that his family have been starving since the curfew was imposed.
“Many of us were taken unawares by the curfew. Many residents were not able to restock . All the markets were shutdown, the banks are not working, there is no electricity, filling stations are not selling fuel and there is no way many of us can charge our phones.
“As I speak with you there is no single food in my house my children are crying of hunger because there nothing to eat. I am appealing to the governor to relax the curfew so that we can restock,” he said.
Another resident, Ikechukwu Orji said that he was not able to buy his daily BP drugs before the curfew was declared.
“The curfew came without prior notice. Many residents are dying of hunger and starvation. Many of the residents who are sick cannot access drugs or medical facilities. I am on BP drugs and my stock is exhausted I cannot restock because of the curfew. All the markets are shutdown, the pharmacies are not open this is really a bad situation. As it stands now we are at the mercy of God,” he said.
Amaka Nwoke, another resident of Oyigbo said: “The curfew is not doing us any good. I know that government has good intentions in the declaration of the curfew to protect lives and properties but such good intentions can as well be carried out with human face.
“The residents were taken unawares by the curfew many of us have exhausted our food supplies and there is no way to restock because of the curfew.
“Those who are sick cannot get medication. Children are crying of hunger because there is no food to give them. We are suffering we want our dear governor to have mercy on us and relax the curfew,” she said.
POS and Mobile banking operators, our reporter learnt, have taken the advantage of the lockdown to exploit the residents who could not access banks ATM machines to withdraw money.
Our reporter gathered that POS and Mobile banking operators charge as much as 20 percent of the amount customers intend to withdraw.
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