Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in all the 23 Local Government Areas of the state

Peoples Gazette learnt the curfew takes effect Thursday, April 29, from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. until further notice.

The dusk-to-dawn curfew comes barely 24 hours after the government imposed an 8:00 p.m to 6.00 a.m. curfew at all entry and exit points of the state with neighbouring states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Imo, following a spate of killings of security personnel and other security breaches by unknown gunmen.

Mr Wike in a statewide broadcast on Thursday said the decision was taken by the state security council after extensive deliberation.

“Accordingly, the State Security Council has, today, after exhaustive deliberation, decided and advised that a statewide curfew on human and vehicular movements be imposed as part of additional measures to prevent the faceless criminals from unleashing their deadly actions,” the governor said.

The governor expressed fear that after reviewing the recent attacks on security personnel, “there are possibilities of further deadly attacks on hard and soft targets across the state.”

“Consequently, a night curfew is hereby imposed on the entire 23 Local Government Areas of the State prohibiting any human and or vehicular movement within or any part of the State from 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. from today 29th April 2021 until further notice,” Kelvin Ebiri, governor’s spokesperson said in a follow up statement.

He said the objective of the curfew is to secure residents and properties, urging residents to be vigilant and report suspicious movement to security personnel.

The Gazette had earlier reported that three Customs officers were killed alongside an unspecified number of police officers at Isiokpo Omuanwa Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

The Gazette learnt at least four soldiers were killed in a fresh attack Sunday night at Abua/Odual Local Government Areas of the state.