Cross River Govt. lift 14-month curfew on Christmas day

By Rasheed Olanrewaju

Cross River Governor, Ben Ayade has approved the suspension of the 14-month old curfew in the State with effect from Christmas day.

With the suspension, movement will no longer be restricted in the Ssate at any time.

In a statement signed by the Governor’s Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Linus Obogo, the suspension is with immediate effect.

The Governor had during the heat of #EndSARS protests hijacked by hoodlum imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew from 6 pm to 6 am. This was later reviewed to 10 pm to 6 am and then 12 midnight to 6 am within the last 14 months.

With the suspension, fun-seekers will be able to enjoy their Christmas celebrations in Cross River State both in the day and all night despite concerns over the fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recall that Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State in the same vein lifted the curfew earlier imposed on Jos North, Jos South and Bassa LGAs.

EAGLE EYE NEWS24 reports that the Governor had on September 8, 2021, imposed curfew on the aforementioned councils as a result of unrest that bedeviled them.

He said the decision to impose the curfew from 10pm to 6am was part of efforts to curb the insecurity witnessed in the councils.

The Governor also reiterated that the total ban on motorcycles within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis still remains in force, adding that tricycles operations within the metropolis will continue on the existing template of 6am to 6pm.

Lalong through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Makut Macham said, “The Governor gave the directive after a State Security Council Meeting held at the Government House Rayfield Jos where the Council reviewed the security situation in the affected Local Government Areas and the State in general.

“On the strength of deliberations at the meeting and the advice of the Security Council, the Governor directed that the existing curfew be lifted with effect from Friday 17th December 2021 until further notice.

“He directed that in place of the curfew, the relevant security agencies should mount well coordinated and round the clock checks in strategic areas of the State to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the people during the yuletide season”, he explained.

The Governor advised the security agencies to ensure that they deploy security personnel throughout the State and gather requisite intelligence to thwart any attempt by criminals who might want to perpetrate their nefarious activities during the season and cause a breach of the peace.

Meanwhile, Lalong said, “The total ban on motorcycles within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis is still in force while their operations in other Local Government Areas will stop at 8pm.

“Tricycles within the metropolis will continue to operate on the existing template of 6am to 6pm only”, he stressed.

While commending the citizens for their patience, understanding and cooperation during the period of the curfew, the Governor urged them to be security conscious and highly vigilant against any suspected criminal activity in their domains, which should be reported quickly to security agencies to enable them take swift action.

He also praised the security agencies for their sacrifices and patriotic service, urging them to continue to do more as the State Government will do its best to support them in carrying out their mandate of securing lives and properties.