UPDATED: Okowa Declares 2-days Lockdown In Delta As #EndSARS Protest Turns Violence

Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday, declared a two-days curfew in the state as protest against police brutality turned violence in the state.

BIGPEN reports that the governor’s order came barely 24-hours after some yet-to-be identified hoodlums’ on Wednesday night vandalized and set ablaze the newly reconstructed Koka junction recreation center in Asaba, the state capital.

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Declaring the order on Thursday morning in a live broadcast, the governor directed all public and private primary and secondary schools in the state be shut down for two weeks. The curfew which will started today by 6:pm in the state would last till Saturday 6:pm.

Governor Okowa said that it appears that the #ENDSARS protest have been hijacked by some misguided and opportunistic elements, adding that the sad situation threatens to plunge the state into chaos and anarchy.

He disclosed that some government buildings were burnt last night in Asaba, the State capital.

“This SARS occasion threatens to plunge the State into chaos and anarchy. It is a clear and present danger that we must stop from happening.

“In the meantime, I have ordered the closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools in the State until Monday November 2nd 2020.

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“Because of the incidence that took place last night, I hereby impose a 48-hour curfew starting 6 pm today October 22 2020.

“It, therefore, means that everybody is expected to sit at home, exempting those on very essential service in the next 48 hours starting 6 pm today.

“Thereafter, we will review the situation and know what next steps to take,” Okowa said.

“I appeal to our youths for cooperation, it is not about you, it is not about the protest that you have started.

“We believe in your cause and we support your cause, but unfortunately, the process is already being hijacked by criminals.

“A lot of robberies took place along the express way, by those who ordinarily shouldn’t have been part of the protest because the protest was well intended but unfortunately these criminal elements have hijacked the process”, the governor added.