Governor Ikpeazu extends curfew in Abia state as violence continues

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has extended the curfew he imposed on the state following the escalation of violence between soldiers of the Operation Python Dance 2 and supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

 Ikpeazu also postponed the resumption of schools in the state as fear of further attacks continues to plague residents of the state.

This is as the Nigerian Army said late Thursday, September 14, that its Operation Python Dance would commence on Friday, September 15 as there was no order for its withdrawal.

In a statement from Enyinnaya Appolos, the governor’s chief press secretary, Ikpeazu said: “After a profound review of the security situation across the state, we are compelled to extend the current curfew imposed on Aba to enable us consolidate the peace and normalcy that is gradually returning to the city.

“The government is therefore seeking your continuing support and understanding for the further extension of the dusk to dawn (6pm to 6am) curfew at Aba to Sunday 17th of September 2017.

“Furthermore, in order to ensure the safety of our children and wards who were billed to resume school on the 18th of September 2017, we hereby direct that the resumption be postponed till the 25th of September 2017 across the state.

“It is our hope that all the measures taken so far will help to rapidly restore full normalcy to all areas of the state.”

The governor thanked the people of the state for their support and cooperation during the trying period.

“For a commercial city that is also the economic hub of the state and the southeast region, the effect of the socio-economic disruption at Aba is too massive to measure at this time and the government fully appreciates all the sacrifices made to ensure early restoration of normalcy.

“We also wish to commend the efforts of the men and women of the security services currently working round the clock to restore law and order and safeguard lives and properties of law abiding citizens and residents,” he said.The opposition party said it had watched with trepidation the alleged military onslaught against the people of the southeast geopolitical zone and wants “the Federal Government to stop this state terrorism in the region forthwith."