Home Editorials Umahi imposes 24- hour curfew as violence erupts

Umahi imposes 24- hour curfew as violence erupts

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By Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

Ebonyi Governor David Umahi has imposed a 24- hour curfew from 7pm on Wednesday following attacks and destruction of government facilities by hoodlums and suspected cultists.

In a statewide broadcast, the Governor noted hoodlums and cultists hijacked the peaceful #ENDSARs protests in the state.

He noted the hoodlums made attempt to set police stations within the state capital ablaze.

He said the hoodlums also tried to set inmates free from the Abakaliki prison, which he said was resisted by security agents.

Umahi further said that government vehicles and other facilities were under heavy attack by the hoodlums, adding many security agents sustained various degrees of injuries as the hoodlums and cultist shot at them.

He regretted those that perpetrated the act were not Ebonyi indigenes but agents brought by by yet- to- be identified individuals who do not wish well for the state.

He commended security agents for their patience and wisdom in tackling the matter and appealed to Ebonyi residents to resist any plot by strangers to come into the state and destroy the modest achievement recorded by his administration.

Abakaliki had erupted into violence as hoodlums and security agencies engaged in clashes at various parts of the city.

Some of the security agents sustained injuries in the clashes.

Some protesters had marched round the city at noon under the eagle eyes of security men, including soldiers deployed round the city as early as 8am.

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But around 3pm, some hoodlums allegedly attacked kpirikpiri police station where they set ablaze a car before they were repelled.

Smokes could be seen bellowing up into the sky from at least three different locations in the state capital as The Nation tried to move round the city.

There was pandemonium as residents scampered for safety while shops owners quickly closed and ran.

Gunshots were heard around the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Abakaliki/ Abakaliki Prison axis.

It was not clear who was firing the shots but the Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Anakor Nchekwube, in a statement warned residents to avoid certain parts of the city.

“Security alert, everybody in the capital city should avoid Ogoja road by Vanco, Kpirikpiri area,Uga street,Ejiofor,Nsugbe and Waterworks road for now as the Security agency are trying to put situation under control. Stay safer,” he said.

The hoodlums later moved to Eke Aba police station where it was gathered they set two cars ablaze.

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