By Timothy Alao, Osogbo
The Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, towing the line of his counterparts in Lagos and Ekiti, has imposed a 24-hr curfew on the state, reports The Gazelle News.com.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, on Tuesday, 20 October, 2020, said the curfew starts from 11.59pm on Tuesday.
Like his counterparts in Lagos and Ekiti, Oyetola regretted that hoodlums have been allowed to take over a peaceful protest which nearly claimed his life on Saturday, 17 October, 2020 even while he was addressing the protesters and expressing his support for their agitations.
Below is the full statement from the Osun State Government:
The Government of the State of Osun note with a high sense of responsibility the unfortunate dangerous dimension the #EndSARS protests have assumed across the country, particularly in the South West States.
In our dear State, but for providence, the Governor would not have been alive to preside over today’s security meeting following the attempt on his life last Saturday.
In spite of the Saturday incident, we have allowed the protest to continue in the hope that the real protesters would take charge of the protest.
Events of the last 48 hours have however shown clearly that the protests have been hijacked by criminals and hoodlums.
As a responsible and responsive government that took the sacred oath to protect the lives and property of our citizens, we will not sit and watch criminals unleash terror on our State.
Consequently, the Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, hereby imposes a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the State, effective from 11.59 pm today, Tuesday, October 20, until further notice.
By implication, there shall be no movement except those on essential duties who will be permitted to move around. These set of persons must have valid identifications to move around during the period of the curfew.
All citizens and residents are enjoined to comply with this directive as any person found contravening this order shall be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.
I enjoin all our citizens to be peaceful and to be law abiding as all efforts shall be made to protect them and their property.
May God continue to bless and keep the State of Osun.
Thank you and God bless.
Signed: Prince Wole Oyebamiji
SSG, State of Osun.
October 20, 2020