Abia State Government has received reports that strange individuals are moving into the state en masse with possible nefarious intentions and wish to direct hotel proprietors and managers to properly scrutinize new guests and report suspicious persons to security agents for appropriate review.
We also wish to inform the general public that we have received reports that some yet to be identified enemies of Ndigbo are still planning to unleash mayhem and burn down some major markets in the state to cause sorrow and tears to the hardworking people of the state and possibly provoke a total breakdown of law and order.
All market committees and security teams are hereby directed to mobilize immediately and protect the markets.
We further appeal to those behind the dastardly plot aimed at frustrating the livelihood of Ndigbo several of whom are still struggling to recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19 pandemic to have a rethink.
While security agencies have also been mobilized to protect the markets and key public and private infrastructure in the state, we call on our people to allow good sense prevail and not engage in any activity that will further harm the people and hurt their wellbeing.
At the market and street levels, we encourage our people to form vigilantes and neighbourhood watch to safeguard themselves and stop those wishing to visit harm on the people.
After due review and consideration of the current security situation in the state, and the readiness of security agencies to effectively contain any act of criminality by any person or group(s) of persons, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed that the prevailing curfew as imposed on Aba and Umuahia be relaxed to now be 6 pm to 6 am from Sunday, 25th October 2020. All markets in the affected areas are therefore to be reopened during the day while market committees and security teams mobilize adequate security to watch over the markets at night and during the day.
The government wishes to direct all commercial tricycle operators to henceforth vacate the roads during the curfew time of 6 pm-6 am daily to avoid being caught in the evil plans of armed hoodlums who want to hide under the noble cause of genuine #EndSARS protests to perpetrate acts of brigandage, arson, armed robbery and other violent crimes
Tricycle operators that fail to heed this directive will have themselves to blame as security agents have been authorized to impound and detain erring operators with their tricycles till the current curfew regime is lifted.
Public and private schools will remain closed until further notice.
Transition Council Chairmen of local governments are expected to take charge to ensure the protection of lives and property within their areas.
We equally enjoin religious leaders to continue to pray for total restoration of peace as well as admonish their members on the need to take responsibility for the earliest end to the disturbances.
Thank you.
Chief John Okiyi Kalu
Honorable Commissioner for Information
24/10/2020
