Posted by From Charles Onyekamuo in Awka on
Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State, has imposed a dusk-to- dawn-curfew on Onit-sha, the state's commercial nerve centre.
Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State, has imposed a dusk-to- dawn-curfew on Onitsha, the state's commercial nerve centre.
This follows the outbreak of violence in the town yesterday, in which some people launched reprisal attacks on the Muslim settlers over the alleged killings of Christians in Maiduguri, last Saturday.
In a statement personally signed by him last night, Ngige directed law enforcement agencies to deal decisively with anybody who flout the curfew order.
.Ngige condemned yesterday's attack, describing it as "both regrettable, reprehensible and detest-able."
No fewer than 500 men of the police mobile force 29, Awka, have been deployed to Onitsha, to forestall a total breakdown of law and order.
The reprisal attack left some people dead, but no official figure could be obtained as at the time of this report.
Law enforcement agents in the state have also been put on alert to deal decisively with anyone engaging in acts of recklessness, unconscionable brigandage and revenge at known flash-points in the state.
The tense situation in the state yesterday forced an emergency meeting of the state security council in Awka, attended by the Commander 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Colonel Lukas Chollampam Logag-woma, Director of the state security service in Anambra State, Ahmad Saleh, Governor Chris Ngige and the state commissioner of police.
In a Press statement by Mr. Fred Chukwuelobe, the Governor's Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, the state government urged Anambra people to refrain from molesting people and stop all attacks on places of religious worship, adding that the incident was both regrettable, reprehensible and detestable, and urged the people to go about their lawful businesses.
The statement added 'The Government deeply regrets this unfortunate incident and while commiserating with the families of the deceased and injured hereby warns all those involved in the attacks to stop forthwith.
'All Anambrarians are hereby urged to refrain from molesting people and stop all attacks on either churches or mosques. Both Christianity and Islam preach peace and love and as peace-loving and law-abiding citizens, the good people of Anambra state are enjoined to be their brothers' keepers, especially our brothers from the North who have been residing with us for years.
'Meanwhile, Law enforcement agents have been put on notice to deal ruthlessly and decisively with anyone engaging in such reckless and unconscionable brigandage and revenge.
'Anybody caught molesting innocent citizens or either burning or looting property will be arrested and prosecuted. People are also enjoined to seek resolution to their grievances through appropriate channels. Resort to rioting, killing, burning and looting is primitive and belongs to the animal kingdom and should be jettisoned.
'All citizens of Anambra state are enjoined to go about their legitimate businesses without fear as the Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige has directed law enforcement agents to deploy more men to Onitsha and parts of the state to arrest the ugly development and to ensure the rioting does not escalate", he said