From Ilorin
Barely 24 hours after it alerted security agencies of the plan by some groups to cause problem in the state,Kwara state Governor Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has declared 24 hours curfew in Ilorin, the state capital.
The governor, who disclosed this while addressing journalists on Friday at the Government House, Ilorin said the step was aimed at restoring calmness and sanity to the state, following the restiveness and unrestrained looting of public and private property in Ilorin, the state capital.
Our correspondent said the curfew came into force, following the security meeting the governor held with all the heads of security agencies in the state around 11:30p.m on Friday.
Abdulrazaq said to further justify the action of the state e on the issue: “I have just had an emergency security meeting with commanders of various security agencies in the state.
“This is to assess the situation in the state. Over the last few days, I had earlier met with the traditional rulers, opinion leaders, members of the student community and many other stakeholders in the state.
”Our observation is that, what has happened so far today was not a protest. It cannot be defended under any guise.
”It was a pure act of criminality. Some persons are hiding under the nationwide tension to commit crimes.
”The government has a duty to protect law abiding citizens and their property
”Lives are being threatened. Businesses are being looted. Public properties have been targeted. This is unacceptable. It is not who we are.
”To curb these acts of criminalities, I hereby declare a 24-hour curfew in Ilorin metropolis from midnight today October 23rd, 2020. This is in line with Sections 1, 2 and 4 of the Public Order Act Chapter 382 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
Reports reaching The Reporters from Ilorin indicate that security personnel are now guarding critical infrastructure in the state capital to check further breakdown of law and order.
