Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has imposed a 24-hour total curfew for 2 weeks on parts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Wike stated that the curfew which takes effect from Monday, 23rd, covers the whole area round the Okoro-Nu-Odu flyover in Rumuokoro.
The governor explained the choice was thanks to an upsurge of cult activities and related violence, warning that government would spare no efforts to deal appropriately with anyone who disturbs peace and security within the State with cult activities and associated violence and killings.
Governor Wike, during a state-wide broadcast, explained that call to impose the curfew was taken after the State Security Council meeting on Sunday in Port Harcourt.
He explained that the Rivers government was seriously disturbed by the recent upsurge of cult activities and related violence and killings round the adjoining areas of the Okoro-Nu-Odu flyover within the Obio/Akpor government Area.
The governor stated that the govt has repeatedly warned misguided youths that engaging in cultism due to its abhorrent anti-social effect on society.
He said: “As a part of measures to tackle this menace, therefore, Government has imposed a 24-hour total curfew for 2 weeks on the whole area along and round the Okoro-nodu flyover up to one-kilometer radius from Saint Emmanuel Anglican Church , Rumuokoro, extending to the Rumuodomaya Slaughter and native Government daily market with effect from Monday 23rd November 2020.
Read also: Gov. Wike Approves The Construction Of 593 Metres Flyover In Rivers State
“Consequently, no sort of trading, human or vehicular movement is allowed within the afore-mentioned restricted areas until further notice. Only staff and vehicles belonging to Julius Berger Nigeria Limited are exempted from the curfew and associated restrictions on movement in order that construction work on the Okoro-Nu-Odu flyover isn’t stalled.”
The governor directed security agencies are to enforce strict compliance with the curfew and arrest and summarily prosecute a person , trader, or vehicle which will plan to violate the curfew.
“Again, we wish to warn that community leaders that allow cultism and related activities to thrive unabated in their communities would be treated as collaborators to the resulting crimes and addressed accordingly.
“We urge all citizens to be a part of the efforts to curb cultism within the State by reporting any suspicious cult activity, including gatherings and initiations in or around their neighbourhoods to the safety agencies for immediate action.”
He further disclosed that the government would construct the 7th flyover in Port Harcourt to traverse Ikokwu to Azikiwe Street.
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