Ekiti, Plateau, Latest Nigerian States to Impose 24-hr Curfew as #EndSARS Protests Escalate

South-western EKiti State and Plateau in the North-central of Nigeria are the latest states to impose 24-hour curfews on Tuesday, following a similar declaration in Lagos earlier in the day.

On Monday, Edo State in the South-south was the first to declare a state of emergency following a jailbreak in Benin.  

Addressing the state in Jos on Tuesday evening, the Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong said, “It is rather unfortunate that in the past few days, the #EndSARS protests which began as peaceful protests have gradually degenerated to the situation where hoodlums have attacked and molested innocent citizens who are going about their normal businesses.

“This development took a new turn on Tuesday 20th October 2020 when the protests led to the destruction of properties, cars and looting of business premises along the Ahmadu Bello way as well as the burning of a place of worship along Gyero Road in Bukuru. In addition, three deaths have been recorded.

“Having received briefing from security agencies, and after a careful assessment of the situation, government is left with no choice than to impose a curfew to stop further loss of lives and properties.

“Accordingly, I have directed the imposition of a 24-hour curfew in Jos South and Jos North Local Government Areas with effect from 8:00 pm today Tuesday, October 20, 2020 till further notice. By this directive, all forms of protests are hereby banned in the two Local Governments Areas of Jos North and Jos South.

Lalong also directed that all public and private businesses shutdown activities immediately, and also warned parents “to rein in their children, youth and wards to forestall further breakdown of law and order, adding that only those on essential services will be allowed to move around to their duty posts.”

He threatened that security agencies have been directed to ensure that the curfew is enforced, as defaulters will be arrested and prosecuted.

The Governor explained that, “While the government of Plateau State concedes to the constitutional rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit and watch hoodlums take the law into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the entire State.

“Let me again call on the protesters to pursue the path of constructive engagement and dialogue since the Government has started implementing their demands.                 

“Only yesterday, I inaugurated the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on police brutality and other related extra-judicial killings in Plateau State, headed by Justice Philomena Lot, a retired Judge of the High Court of Plateau State. This was also followed by strategic engagement with different groups and organisations.

“As the panel prepares to commence its sitting, it will be helpful for all those who have complaints against members of the disbanded SARS and other police units to take their complaints to the panel for necessary action. Our administration will also do everything possible to implement the outcome of the panel’s recommendation as it applies to its jurisdiction.”

Meanwhile, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has declared a 24-hour curfew across the state after hoodlums hijacked the peaceful #EndSARS protests.

The curfew is expected to take effect from 10pm on Tuesday.

According to Governor Fayemi, with the spate of violence, looting and even rape witnessed especially in the last 48 hours, it became necessary to impose the curfew to avoid a further breakdown of law and order.

“The hoodlums have capitalised on the ENDSARS protest to rape, assault, rob and extort innocent citizens across the state, in addition to the wanton destruction of properties, particularly private properties,” the governor was quoted to have said in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji.