EndSARS: Ugwuanyi imposes 24-hr curfew on major towns in Enugu

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has imposed a 24-hour curfew on some local government headquarters of the state, as the EndSARS protests reportedly turned violent in the areas on Wednesday.

Daily Trust reports that tension began to build up in the affected areas, when suspected hoodlums allegedly hijacked the protests.

The hoodlums allegedly put up bonfires in different parts of Enugu metropolis, Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and Nike Lake Road.

The development heightened the fear among residents, forcing banks, shops and business premises in Abakpa, Trans-Ekulu, Nike Road, Liberty Road and Emene to close early in the day to avoid attack.

Also, many public and private schools within the metropolis closed earlier in the day to allow pupils and students to return home safely.

It was observed that the presence of military operatives at the popular Okpara Square, where the protesters usually assembled scared away protesters from the area.

Our correspondent, who drove round town before the tension peaked, however, observed the serious traffic jam within most roads and connecting streets within the metropolis owing to the development.

A resident of Trans-Ekulu, Mr Joseph Ogbu, said that the hoodlums blocked traffic to Trans-Ekulu, Abakpa and Nike Area with bonfires.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Daniel Ndukwe, said that the command was making frantic efforts to bring the situation under control.