By Ayo Kenhinde
Godwin Obaseki, Governor fo Edo State
Those identified as hoodlums by the Edo State government on Monday hijacked the ongoing nation wide protest against policy brutality, broke into the Benin Custodial Centre at Sapele Road, Benin leading to the escape of about 10 prisoners. It took the quick response of armed security men to prevent a major jailbreak as those who had crowded the barbed-wired wall of the center but yet to scale it were forced to retreat.
The prison’s armed guards had a hard time quelling the ensuing riots while some prisoners who fled the centre were caught. Three Police stations in the city were also torched.
In a swift reaction, the Edo State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew across the state till further notice.
The curfew is to take effect from 4pm, October 19, 2020, according to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Osarodion Ogie
He said, “This decision has become necessary because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of #ENDSARS protesters.
“By the directive, schools and businesses are to shut down activities accordingly. Those who cannot move safely are to stay put between now and 4pm till calmness is restored.
“Parents are advised to rein in their children, youths and wards, to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
“The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and maintain law and order, therefore, anyone found outside in violation of the curfew would be dealt with according to the law.
The police, also condemned the violence by
Meanwhile, all the major roads leading to the city centre were all blocked by the protesting youths who made born-fire with disused tyres, forcing residents to stay indoors.
Some of the youth were seen chanting solidarity songs and playing football, while others were busy cooking on the road.
Mr Osagie Obamogie, one of the protesters who spoke with newsmen, said: “We are tired of the hardship, no sector of the economy is working and we can no longer continue like this.
“I graduated since 2012 with no job in sight. I managed to open a barbershop and there is no adequate electricity supply to run it properly.
“They have increased fuel and increased electricity tariff. Everything is on the high side. We are no longer protesting only # EndSARS, it has metamorphosed into End Bad Government”.
In Lagos where protesters block major entry and exit points in the commercial nerve of the country, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has set up a 7-man judicial panel into police brutality with the mandate to submit report in six months.
In Abuja, the next hotspot of the protest after Lagos, Police on Monday dispersed protesters who had massed at the John Kennedy street preparatory to march on the Presidential Villa, while police, Soldiers and National Security and Defense Corps, took over road blocks on the Yanya and Maraba axis to control traffic leading to and from neighbouring Nasarawa state.
