Curfew in Edo as hoodlums burn police stations, set prisoners free
Ortom supports #EndSARS protesters, urges peaceful conduct
The #EndSARS protest in Benin, the Edo State capital, took a new dimension on Monday as suspected hoodlums burnt down police stations and set inmates free in two correctional centres, forcing the state government to declare a 24-hour curfew.
The curfew, according to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Bar. Osarodion Ogie, is to take effect from 4 pm, October 19, 2020, till calmness is restored.
"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," the statement read, while directing schools and businesses to shut down activities.
The hoodlums, Monday morning, attacked the Benin Correctional Centre along Sapele Road and freed several inmates in one of the cells.
The hoodlums were also said to have broken into a second jail, Oko Medium Correctional Centre, also in Benin with guns and machetes under the guise of #EndSARS protest.
At the first centre, one of the hoodlums was alleged to have been killed.
The hoodlums also destroyed and vandalised the High Court 4 located beside the jail.
It was gathered that the hoodlums started gathering along Sapele Road beside the prison as early as 7 am, setting bonfires and sending back road users.
The armed squad of prison officials were said to have engaged the hoodlums in gunfire which resulted in some persons sustaining injuries with a few of the inmates alleged to have escaped with gunshot injuries while an elderly man was recaptured by the officials while walking away like a passer-by.
At the third junction by Upper, the hoodlums were said to have attacked the Ugbegu police station in the area and set it ablaze.
Two other police stations, Ugbekun and Odogbo police divisions, were also burnt down by suspected hoodlums.
It was also gathered that the hoodlums attempted to burn down the Oba Market police station but were resisted by operatives of the division.
The protesters
have
vented their anger on the office of Darr Communication Limited, operators of Africa Independent Television and Ray Power radio in Benin City, vandalising several vehicles in the office, a staff member of the media house, who asked not to be named, told our reporter.
The protesters took over Benin/ Agbor road from Ramat Park to the by-pass junction with bonfires at spaces of less than 30 metres.
Commuters had to carry their loads on their heads as they trekked to their various destinations.
The protesters however turned the protest to a carnival of a sort, as the youths mounted heavy loudspeakers on the doublecarriage dancing and singing.
There was a mild drama when a goat was hijacked by the protesters, strangled to death, and roasted in the bonfire on the road.
At Ramat Park by Guinness gate, First Upstair Junction, the protesters were seen cooking food while drinks were being shared among participants.
One of the protesters, who gave his name simply as Osayuki, said the protest is no longer about police brutality alone, but a call for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, on Monday, said he supports the agitations of EndSARS protesters and will stand by them in the quest for a better country.
He, however, urged them to continue to conduct themselves peacefully.
Ortom
made
the remark when he received the protesters at the entrance of the government house in Makurdi.
"I support you in this protest. I have always stood for this (their demands) and never hidden my voice on issues of bad governance, insecurity and unemployment. There must be a shift from what we are doing in this country," he said.