TheCable

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, has imposed a 24-hour curfew around Okoro-Nu-Odu flyover in Rumuokoro, Obio/Akpor local government area of the state.

The governor said the curfew announced on Sunday night was as a result of the increase in cult-related violence in the area.

There have been reports of violence — often involving cult groups — in the area and neighbouring towns.

In June, SB Morgan (SBM) Intelligence reported that over 100 cult groups in the state are fueling violence which has led to the loss of numerous lives.

In a statement by Kelvin Ebiri, his spokesman, Wike was quoted as saying the state security council met and decided to impose a total curfew around Okoro-Nu-Odu flyover for two weeks.

He said: “As part of measures to tackle this menace, therefore, government has imposed a 24-hour total curfew for two weeks on the entire area along and around the Okoro-nodu flyover up to one-kilometer radius from Saint Emmanuel Anglican Church, Rumuokoro, extending to the Rumuodomaya Slaughter and Local Government daily market with effect from Monday 23rd November 2020.

“Consequently, no form 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 so that construction work on the Okoro-Nu-Odu flyover is not stalled.”

The governor also directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone that violates the curfew.