24-hour curfew declared in Ekiti State amid #EndSARS protests October 20
Category: Transportation
Severity: 4 (High)
Source: Drum Cussac
10/21/2020 (Nigeria) - Ekiti State authorities have announced that an indefinite 24-hour curfew will be imposed across the state from 22:00 (local time) on Tuesday, October 20. All those in Ekiti State will be required to remain at their residences throughout the duration of the curfew, with only essential service workers being exempt from the restrictions. However, it is currently unclear how the curfew will be enforced.
The announcement of the curfew follows several days of large-scale protests linked to the #EndSARS social media campaign, with thousands of demonstrators causing widespread travel and business disruptions. Similar curfews were announced in Lagos State and Osun State earlier on Tuesday, October 20, and in Edo State on Monday, October 19, following widespread unrest that saw attacks on a number of police stations and other government buildings.
Further travel and business disruptions are likely in Ekiti and other towns and cities throughout Nigeria in the near term, with violent unrest remaining likely in flashpoint areas.
Context
A series of protests organized by the #EndSARS social media campaign have been held across Nigeria over the past few months and have intensified in recent days, with demonstrations having led to several fatal clashes between protesters and security forces. Unrest has continued despite an announcement by President Muhammadu Buhari that the controversial SARS police unit would be disbanded and replaced by a new agency called SWAT, a move which protesters have rejected.
Those in Ekiti State are advised to monitor the situation, adjust travel itineraries and avoid unnecessary overland movement in the immediate term, avoid the vicinity of any demonstrations, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.
Copyright © 2024 Drum Cussac
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