Osun and Plateau States Governments has suspended its 24-hour curfew effective from today, Friday, October 23, 2020 till further notice which was imposed to forestall breakdown of law and order owing to high level of compliance, Igbere TV reports.
Osun state government in a statement released by the Secretary of the state, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, commended the residents and citizens of the state for their show of understanding and cooperation in the last 48 hours of the curfew.
The government also commended the youths of the state for displaying high sense of maturity in carrying out their protest.
This development comes after the government reviewed the situation of the last 48 hours and inaugurated the State’s Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality.
According to the statement, the suspension is to allow members of the public approach the Panel to make their submissions and to go about their lawful businesses.
The statement reads partly: “Government will not hesitate to reinstate the curfew should the need arise.
“Government remains committed to the cause of our youths and the #EndSARS protesters and shall take every necessary step to ensure that their demands are met.
“Considering Government’s commitment and determination to meet the demands of the protesters, we appeal to the protesting youths to suspend their protest and engage Government in a dialogue.
“All citizens and residents are enjoined to be peaceful and to be law abiding as all efforts shall be made to protect them and their property.
“May God continue to bless and keep the State of Osun.”
Plateau State Government announced the suspension in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Danladi Atu.
According to the state government; “This decision was reached after painstaking deliberations with critical stakeholders and careful assessment of the security situation that led to the skirmishes in some parts of the affected local government areas last Tuesday.”
The statement reiterated that the state government was not unmindful of citizens’ constitutional rights to hold lawful assembly or stage peaceful protests as long as there are carried out within the extant laws of Nigeria.
“As a government, we also appreciate the fact that these are the variables that further deepen our democracy.
“However, as a deliberate approach to prevent a repeat of last Tuesday’s ugly incident where precious human lives and property were lost, the government has for now also resolved to ban forthwith any processions and protests under whatever guise in order to safeguard the lives of all citizens of the state. This is to enable the government isolate and deal with those who are bent on disrupting the peace of the state,” the statement added.
