28th September, 2022
By Jethro Ibileke
The Edo State Government has declared a 24-hour curfew in the a section of Benin, the state capital, starting from 12.00am Thursday, 29 September, 2022 to 12am Friday, 30 September, 2022.
The Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, in a statement on Wednesday, said the curfew is to make way for make way for the conduct of security exercise in the affected areas.
The statement said: “This is to notify the general public that the Edo State Government has declared a curfew in the Obazagbon to Ogheghe axis of the Irhirhi-Arogba-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Road for 24 hours, starting from 12.00am Thursday, September 29, 2022 to 12am Friday, September 30, 2022.
“Government is conducting a security operation in the area and warns members of the communities to steer clear of the Obazagbon to Ogheghe axis of the road, so as not to endanger themselves.
“Residents in the area are advised to stay indoors as the government embarks on the security exercise.”
According to the statement, the affected areas are from Obazagbon Junction to Ogheghe Junction on the Irhirhi-Arogba-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Road and environs; from Ogheghe Junction on the Irhirhi Road up to Ogba River and environs; road connecting Okoroma Junction on the Irhirhi Road to Amagba and environs and from Amagba Junction to Ogba River on the Ogheghe-Obagie Road (link to Sapele Road) and environs.
“Motorists and pedestrians are advised to use alternative routes. Anyone found loitering in the area during the curfew will be arrested. To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” Ogie added.
Meanwhile, the curfew imposition may not be unconnected with insecurity situations occasioned by rising ritual activities by suspected cultists.
Independent investigation by our Correspondent showed that cultists who specialize in targeting young ladies from higher institutions campuses, club houses and on the streets for ritual purposes have infiltrated the City.