Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday announced immediate ban on all movement across Lagos State, declaring a curfew after thugs overwhelmed #EndSARS rallies with violence.

The governor’s announcement, unprecedented outside pandemic declaration, came a day after the his counterpart in Edo State Godwin Obaseki asked all residents to stay indoors following two jailbreaks in Benin.

Mr. Sanwo-Olu announced the curfew about two hours after deadly hoodlums took set a police division ablaze in Orile-Iganmu, an industrial neighbourhood at the heart of Lagos.

With Lagos venue, the largest in the country, all but shut against #EndSARS demonstration, sustaining the protests on the streets would now be more difficult, especially as Benin that usually saw large protests was also shut down yesterday.

The protests will now be largely held in Abuja, where thugs are also running amok, killing and harming protesters.

Read Mr. Sanwo-Olu’s full statement below: 

Dear Lagosians,

I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society. Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our State.

As a government that is alive to its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the movement #ENDSARS, we will not watch and allow anarchy in our dear state.

I, therefore, hereby impose a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the State as from 4pm today, 20th October,2020. Nobody, except essential service providers and first responders must be found on the streets.

Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Governor, Lagos State.