Authorities in Nigeria's southern Edo state have imposed a 24-hour curfew following what it describes as "incidents of vandalism and attacks carried out by hoodlums in the guise of #ENDSARS protesters."
Huge protests against police brutality continued in the state on Monday with several reports of riots breaking out in different locations and a jailbreak at a detention facility.
Secretary to the state government, Osarodion Ogie, who announced the curfew said it is to take effect from 16:00 Monday until further notice.
“This 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 the #ENDSARS protests.
“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,” Ogie said.
Earlier on Monday, there were multiple reports of prisoners escaping a correctional facility in the Oko part of the state.
In videos posted on social media, some men can be seen scaling a high barbed-wire fence said to be the prison walls along the Sapele road in Edo state.
In this video posted by Nigerian broadcaster TVC, protesters can be seen throwing objects at the prison gate and encouraging inmates to scale the fence:
Widespread demonstrations continued across several Nigerian cities on Monday as protesters called for an end to police brutality and reforms in the sector.
The protests have continued despite authorities agreeing to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars).
On Sunday, protesters occupied the country's central bank in the capital Abuja, but reports say they were targeted by armed thugs in the early hours of Monday.
There is also an increased presence of armed army personnel in the capital days after the military offered to step in warning that "subversive elements and trouble makers" were exploiting the situation.
Latest Stories
-
Yaw Nsarkoh: Bit by bit we will understand China
6 hours -
Looted and returned: Asante royal artefacts on display for public viewing at Manhyia Museum
6 hours -
Suspected killer in Kasoa land dispute shooting not a National Security operative
7 hours -
Ghana appoint four Para Athletics coaches in Preparation for Paris 2024
7 hours -
Kumasi Cheshire Home decries inadequate equipment; seeks public support
7 hours -
UCL: Niclas Fullkrug hands Dortmund first leg advange over PSG
8 hours -
GPL: Accra Lions beat Hearts of Oak to go third
9 hours -
Seek higher grounds as rains intensify – GMet warns
10 hours -
May Day: Sam Ankrah promises to prioritise welfare and well-being of workers if elected president
10 hours -
Bawumia plans door-to-door campaign for 2024 polls
10 hours -
GAF condemns ‘unprovoked’ fatal shooting of soldier in Kasoa land dispute
10 hours -
OSP’s request for money laundering probe against Cecilia Dapaah baseless – AG advises EOCO
11 hours -
Obofour Raphael releases ‘Asem Yi Di Ka’ EP
11 hours -
‘Operation Clean Your Surroundings’: Popular Kenkey joint and public toilets in Takoradi shut down
11 hours -
GFA boss Kurt Okraku graces Dreams FC’s dinner to celebrate CAF Confederation Cup exploits
11 hours