Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state has condemned the attack on peaceful protesters by hoodlums who highjacked the agitation by youths to end police brutality.
Fayemi also imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state, commencing from 10pm on Tuesday.
In a statement through the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, the Governor said the action in necessary due to impending breakdown of law and order.
The statement said, ”The Government of Ekiti State has observed with growing concern how the ENDSARS protest, which started as a peaceful protest against police brutality by youths in Ekiti State, has been hijacked by some hoodlums.
”The hoodlums have capitalised on the ENDSARS protest to rape, assault, rob and extort innocent citizens across the State. These are in addition to the wanton destruction of properties, particularly private properties.
”Government is concerned that if this state of affairs is allowed to continue unabated, it will lead to a breakdown of law and order thereby threatening the wellbeing of the people of Ekiti State.”
It explained that Fayemi met with protesters on October 16 and then constituted a Human Rights Investigation Panel to review all cases of abuse by officers of the disbanded SARS, while a Victims Compensation Fund has also been enabled.
The statement added, ”In the past 48 hours there have been incidents of gang-rape, robberies, physical assaults on innocent people, looting and burning of a police station. These acts of brigandage are not in consonance with the legitimate aspirations of the protesters. It cannot be logical to seek to remedy impunity with impunity.
”Consequently, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, hereby imposes a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the State starting from 10.00 pm tonight, Tuesday, October, 20, 2020.
”Only essential workers and service providers with valid means of identifications are allowed to move around during the period of the curfew.
”Any person found on the street that does not belong to this category, would be promptly arrested and prosecuted according to the laws of Ekiti State.”
The government therefore seek the cooperation and understanding of residents of the state, adding that steps are being taken to restore peace and order.