The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has imposed curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. at all entry and exit points with neighbouring gout states which include: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Imo.
Penpushing reports that Wike in a state broadcast on Tuesday explained that the curfew, effective from Wednesday night, became necessary in view of recent security breaches and deadly attacks.
“The Government of Rivers State has decided to restrict night movements in and out of the state from the land borders of the state. Consequently, a night curfew is hereby imposed and no person or vehicle is allowed in and out of Rivers State from 8.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. from Wednesday, 28 April until further notice’, he declared.
“We wish to advise that those who have any legitimate need or reason to come into or go out of the state must do so before 8.00 p.m. when the curfew shall come into force daily,” the governor added.
Penpushing further reports that Wike stated that security agencies had been posted to monitor and enforce strict compliance with the curfew at all borders, entry and exit points with the mentioned states.
The Governor recalled that on April 24, ”innocent officers of Customs, Police and Civil Defence on duty along the Port Harcourt ,Owerri expressway were ambushed and gruesomely murdered in cold blood by armed attackers”.
“Similarly on Sunday, the state witnessed another deadly attack and killing of officers and men of the Nigerian Army right at Abua town in Abua Odual Local Government Area,” the governor noted.
Penpushing also reports that, he said the security agencies were investigating these attacks with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice, adding that ”nobody knew where and when the next attack would take place”.
“Neither do we also know the motives of the deranged characters or groups behind these senseless assaults on our state and the lives of security operatives working to keep us safe and secure.
“However, what is obvious is that the attackers and their sponsors are people who came from outside Rivers State. As a government, we are determined to doing everything within our powers to prevent re-occurrence of such murderous acts aimed at creating an atmosphere of gross insecurity and panic among citizens’
“In view of its implications on the security of the state and citizens, and in discharge of our constitutional responsibility, the government has decided to impose restrictions. The restrictions would affect movements into and out of the state from the land borders of the state,” he said.
Penpushing reports that Wike urged all citizens of the state to be vigilant and report every useful intelligence or suspicious movements to the security agencies for immediate action, and equally advised residents”to understand that these are strange times and nothing could be more paramount than their collective safety and security”.
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