The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has on Wednesday declared a 24-hour curfew in some areas of Benin, the state capital, following incessant ritual activities in the city.
The restriction of movement within the affected areas is to start from 12.00am, tomorrow (Thursday,) 29 September, 2022, to 12am Friday, 30 September, 2022.
According to the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, in a statement released on Wednesday, the curfew was to make way for the conduct of “security exercise” in the affected areas.
The statement reads: “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
“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.”
Meanwhile, residents of the affected areas are said to be living in fears concerning the alleged activities of the ritualists.
It was gathered that the curfew was declared following series of insecurity situations due to the rising cases of ritual killings by suspected cultists.
Sources claimed that university students, and secondary school students, especially female are usually the victims.
