Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State Government has declared a curfew in Aba amid growing security concerns in the state.
The curfew is in reaction to reported clashes between some groups in the state, especially Sunday’s altercation between members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and troops of the Nigerian Army, the governor said in a statement.
Under the curfew, residents of Aba are to remain indoors from 6 pm to 6 am starting from today (September 12) until Thursday. September 14, 2017.
There has been an upsurge in the activities of IPOB in the state since the release of the group’s leader, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, on bail.
The Nigerian Army has also increased its activities in the South East with the launch of Operation Python Dance II on Friday.
In a statement declaring the curfew, Governor Ikpeazu said the government had monitored the “frenzy of activities of members of IPOB within Afara – Umuahia, the ancestral home of the leader of IPOB for some months now”, and that it is equally aware of the army’s operation in the state and South-East region.
Concerning Sunday’s clash, he said, “The recent confrontation between the Nigerian Army and members of IPOB on Sunday, 10th September 2017, could presumably be attributed to the commencement of the said Operation Python Dance II.”
Also, the governor called for caution by all parties and respect for the country’s laws.
“The Abia State Government unequivocally states that Abia is a component State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and subscribes to the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all other extant laws,” he said.
“While the Government of Abia State recognises the right of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, to perform their statutory duty of protection of lives and property of Nigerian citizens, such duties must be carried out within acclaimed Nigerian and international standards of engagement with the civil populace, with due respect to the human rights of citizens and sanctity of human lives.”
