Delta Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has imposed a 48-hour curfew in the state following Wednesday night’s arson and destruction of government property in Asaba by some youths disguising as protesters.
He also announced the closure of public and private primary and secondary schools in the state until Nov. 2, 2020.
Okowa made these known in a statewide broadcast in Asaba on Thursday, and said that the curfew would commence at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
He said that the peaceful protests by #ENDSARS protesters had been hijacked by suspected criminals, and stated that the state government would not watch the elements to have a field day.
The governor commended the #ENDSARS protesters for their peaceful conduct, but appealed to them to give peace a chance by allowing the government to address their demands.
He also appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that their children and wards were properly accounted for, and urged traditional rulers and opinion leaders to lend their voices to the appeal.
He urged youth leaders, community mobilisers and social media influencers, to have a rethink on the protest in the interest of the nation.