Fayose imposes dusk-to-dawn curfew in Ekiti State

FOLLOWING the carnage occasioned by the feud between Hausa traders and commercial drivers, and to prevent further breakdown of law and order, Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, yesterday imposed dusk-to-dawn curfew in the Ado Ekiti metropolis.

The governor, who addressed the Hausa community at Atikankan area of Ado Ekiti, said the curfew would begin at 6p.m yesterday evening and last till 6a.m. He also ordered the security agencies to arrest whoever is found roaming the streets during the period.

Fayose appealed to the Hausa community to exercise calm over the havoc wrecked on their property, promising that justice would be done. He added: “You said you love me, this is the time you have to show this love.

“I want to plead with you to submit whatever lethal weapon you have in your possession to the police. And if you refuse to do this, whether you are Yoruba or Hausa, the police will arrest you. Nigeria belongs to all of us and for the sake of our country, I plead with you to allow peace to reign.”

He assured that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and those found connected with the wanton destruction made to face the full weight of the law.

Responding, the Chairman of Hausa community in the state, Adamu Imam, appealed to the government for monetary assistance to those whose property were damaged by hoodlums during the crisis.

Imam said the names of the perpetrators of the violent attack has been compiled and would be made available to the governor and security agencies for necessary action.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Police Command says the number of injured persons has risen to 24. It disclosed that it has stationed three units of mobile policemen at the scene to arrest whoever would plan further crisis.

In a statement, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, on behalf of the Police Commissioner, Etop John James, noted that two of those wounded sustained gunshot wounds and were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The command, however, debunked media report that four people died during the arson at Erekesan Market in Ado Ekiti.