Ebonyi imposes curfew after failed jailbreak
Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has imposed a 24-hour curfew following the pandemonium that broke out in Abakaliki, the state capital.
Umahi said the curfew became necessary after hoodlums hijacked the EndSARS protest to unleash mayhem on the state, which included an attempted jailbreak.
The governor said he saw nothing wrong in the demands of the youths, adding, however, that their peaceful agitation has been infiltrated by hoodlums.
He, therefore, appealed to his colleagues in their respective states to protect the lives of those peaceful protesters.
His words: “In my state, Ebonyi, I have noticed with sadness, how peaceful protest in Ebonyi State has been hijacked by hoodlums and cultists who were shifted from outside the state into our very peaceful state.
“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 agents in our state have sustained injuries from the attacks of these hoodlums and the provocation. These security agents 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, the leaders make amend where necessary.
"I, therefore, call on security agencies to block all our borders from 7:00 pm today (Wednesday), the 21st October 2020 and to protect all lives and property.”
Daily Trust gathered that some units of the popular Kpirikpiri police station, which is located at the heart of the state capital including vehicles parked in the station were burnt by the hoodlums.
Our correspondent, who observed the attack from a distance reports that 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.
Our correspondent gathered that no death was recorded in the state.