By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka and Uzor Odigbo
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has imposed a 24-hour curfew on all parts of Lagos State, starting from 4.00pm today Tuesday October 20.
The curfew was as a result of the escalation of EndSars protest which has been hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in loss of lives and destruction of public buildings, particularly police stations. In his official Twitter page, Governor Sanwo-Olu said:
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The protest which has been peaceful and endorsed by the Lagos State government has now turned bloody.
At Orile-Iganmu, a policeman who allegedly shot one of the protesters was knocked down, stoned to death and burnt by the angry youths.
Orile-Iganmu Divisional Police building was up in flames this morning while the officers and men of the force pulled off their uniform and fled.
As at the time of filing this report, there was sporadic shootings at the bus-stop from the police re-enforced from other divisions.
