Curfew: Activist caution Edo govt against hunger protest

A Benin City-based human rights activist, Comrade Osazee Edigin, has faulted the subsisting 24-hour indefinite curfew imposed by the Edo State government adding that the order would render many households to be without food and other necessities.


Edigin warned that the outbreak of hunger protest arising from the lockdown “will be worse than the EndSARS protest”. 
According to him, “The scarcity of bread led to the French revolution that consumed so many absolute monarchs in Europe.

“What one would have expected from the Edo state government is to deescalate the few pockets of protests here and there. 
“The curfew extension should be reviewed and modalities should be put in place in bringing the situation under control as there is a drastic reduction in protests as at today (Tuesday).


The Secretary to State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie Esq., had in a statement on Monday handed out the directive.
The order came following the invasion of the Benin correctional centre along Sapele road and Oko maximum correctional centre by suspected hoodlums who  hijacked the EndSARS nationwide protest against police brutality. 


The statement had explained that the decision has become necessary “because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of #ENDSARS protesters.
“While the government of Edo state respects the rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit idly when hoodlums have taken laws into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the state.


“The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and maintain law and order, therefore, anyone found outside in violation of the curfew would be dealt with according to the law.”

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