TheCable

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, says he is imposing a 24-hour curfew on the state over reports of violence during #EndSARS protests.

The governor issued the directive during a special broadcast on Tuesday.

The curfew is expected to commence at 12 midnight and will remain until further notice.

The #EndSARS protests, which began as a peaceful demonstration, have taken a different turn with hoodlums launching attacks on residents, private businesses and government institutions.

Akeredolu, in a statement by Olabode Olatunde, special assistant to the governor on new media, noted although the state has not recorded violence arising from the #EndSARS protests, reports from neighbouring states show that the demonstrations have led to attacks.

“Some Police Stations have been burnt and arms and ammunition carted away. Some lives have been lost and property destroyed. The implications of this for the health of the society can better be imagined,” the statement read.

“We must all resist the temptations to join the bandwagon of directionless and unpatriotic Nigerians. The Government is looking seriously into all these issues with a view to resolving them and giving our youths confidence.

“This Administration has the obligation to protect all citizens including the youths. It will not shirk its responsibility in this regard.

““All bars, banks, shops, petrol stations, shopping malls, markets, motor parks and all public spaces are to comply with this directive forthwith except those on essentials services will be permitted to be on the road. Security agencies have been directed to ensure compliance.”

Akeredolu also apologised to the youth for enduring the circumstances that led them into agitating for matters that bother on national development.

“We offer our unreserved apologies for the seeming lapses which have contributed, largely, to the current misunderstanding. It is our fervent hope that the state will come out stronger from this experience,” he said.