There was pandemonium in Abakiliki, the Ebonyi state following heavy shootings which erupted in some parts of the city as angry mob took advantage of the ENDSARs protest to cause mayhem.
But, the State governor, David Umahi has place dust to down curfew in the state to ease tension.
Umahi who observed one-minute silence in respect of those who lost their lives in the cause of the ENDSARs agitation, made this pronouncement in a statewide broadcast Wednesday evening.
He said that the curfew would start from 7pm Wednesday.
Umahi also said that he didn’t see anything wrong in the demands of the youths adding that their peaceful agitation has been infiltrated by hoodlums.
“On Monday, I had addressed the peaceful protesters and went ahead and met all their demands in line with the directives of the federal government.
‘These hoodlums and cultists have burnt many police stations, moving to prison to set prisoners free and there are attacking security agencies including shooting at them.
‘These hoodlums and cultists are not Ebonyians but they came from outside because they do not wish us well.
‘Security agencies in our state have sustained injuries from the attacks of these hoodlums and the provocation. These Security agencies have exercised great patients and wisdom in handling the issue at stake and I urge them to continue doing just that.
“Government vehicles and infrastructure of government have come under severe destruction and this is regrettable.
“I will continue to say that the peaceful protesters have their legitimate demands and I offer my apologies for many areas we leaders have failed our young children. We believe that the success of the peaceful #endSARS protest will make we leaders make amends where necessary.
“I appeal to our people not to allow outsiders to destroy the modest improvements of our state which may not have gone down well to some people outside our state who do not wish us well and who imported these hoodlums to our state.
“I therefore, call on security agencies to block all our borders from 7:00 pm today, the 21st October, 2020 and to protect all lives and property.
Their anger was the killings of innocent Nigerian youths in Lagos at Lekki in the ongoing ENDSARs protest.
Daily Trust gathered that some units of the popular Kpirikpiri police station which is located in the heart of the state capital including vehicles parked in the station were burnt by the hoodlums.
Armed soldiers have been drafted to guard the old government house, the premises of the correctional centre and the police headquarters so as to control the situation.
Also, business owners in the Abakiliki including corporate offices were closed for fear of attacks.
However, the soldiers were professional in their response to put the situation under control despite the provocation caused by the mobs who burnt tyres on major roads and streets in Abakiliki.
No fatality is on record.
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