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#EndSARS: Curfew to be relaxed from Sunday in Abia
Abia State Government has received reports that strange individuals are moving into the state en masse with possible nefarious intentions and wish to direct hotel proprietors and managers to properly scrutinize new guests and report suspicious persons to security agents for appropriate review.
We also wish to inform the general public that we have received reports that some yet to be identified enemies of Ndigbo are planning to unleash mayhem and burn down some major markets in the state in order to cause sorrow and tears to the hardworking people of the state and possibly provoke mass uprising.
All market committees and security teams are hereby directed to mobilize immediately and protect the markets.
We further appeal to those behind the dastardly plot aimed at frustrating the livelihood of Ndigbo who are still struggling to recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19 pandemic to have a rethink.
While security agencies have also been mobilized to protect the markets and key public and private infrastructure in the state, we call on our people to allow good sense prevail and not engage in any activity that will further harm our lives and wellbeing.
At market and street levels, we encourage our people to form vigilantes and neighborhood watch to safeguard themselves and stop those wishing to do us harm.
After due review and consideration of the current security situation in tne state, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed that the prevailing curfew be relaxed to now take effect from 6pm to 6am from Sunday, 25th October, 2020. All markets are therefore to be reopened during the day while market committees and security teams mobilize adequate security to watch over the markets at night and during the day.
Government wishes to direct all commercial tricycle operators to henceforth vacate the roads during the curfew time of 6pm-6am daily to avoid being caught in the evil plans of armed urchins who want to hide under the noble cause of genuine #EndSARS protests to perpetuate acts of brigandage, arson, armed robbery and other violent crimes
Tricycle operators that fail to heed this directive will have themselves to blame as security agents have been authorized to impound and detain erring operators with their tricycles till the current curfew regime is lifted.
Public and private schools will remain closed till further notice.
Transition Council Chairmen of local governments are expected to take charge to ensure the protection of human and material resources within their areas and we equally enjoin religious leaders to continue to pray for total restoration of peace as well as admonish their members on the need to take responsibility for the earliest end to the disturbances.
Thank you.
Chief John Okiyi Kalu
Honourable Commisioner for Information, Abia State.