Mixed reactions greet 24hour curfew declaration in Kogi Central

Mixed reactions have trailed the 24hour emergency curfew placed on all the five local government areas in Kogi Central Senatorial District.

In a statement issued Wednesday night by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mrs Petra Akinti Onyegbule, the government said the restriction of movement which took effect from 12 am Thursday was absolute and no movement whatsoever would be allowed.

“All residents of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene, Ogori/Magongo LGAs are advised to comply by this directive,” the statement said but did not give reason for the declaration of the curfew, and this prompted the supposition that it would have to do with the assassination of a labour leader, Abdulmumuni Yaqub at Okene last week.

A resident of Adavi, Alhaji Bello Omuya said he was shocked when he woke up yesterday to the news of the restriction of movement.

A resident of Okene, Abdulrahman Omeiza, said, “We did not get any prior notice of this curfew. We just woke up to it on Tao FM and the social media.”

On its part, the Ebira Youth Congress (EYC) said in a statement issued by its Director of Programme, Comrade Ismaila Muhammed, “We reckon that the government reserves the prerogative to impose curfew when it deems such fit. However, we are worried that this curfew is brought to effect in a manner that leaves the people in confusion… The people deserve to be properly informed of the situation or else, it will amount to the violation of rights.”