Governor Ikpeazu extends curfew in Abia state as violence continues

- Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has extended
the curfew in the state as fear continues among
residents
- Ikpeazu also postponed the resumption of
schools in the state
- The governor thanked the residents for their
support at this trying time of the state following
a clash between IPOB members and soldiers
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.
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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.
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“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.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that the United
Progressive Party (UPP) condemned the
activities of security operatives code-named
Operation Python Dance in the southeastern
part of Nigeria.
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."

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