Following the bloody clash between the Yoruba fishermen, Ilajes, and indigenes of their host community, Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State, the state government has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew to forestall the further escalation of the crisis.
The clash, which occurred on Wednesday, has claimed scores of lives and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
The Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, Henry Mkpa, announced this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Melford Asuquo and made available to journalists in Uyo on Friday.
He said the action was a directive from the state government that the curfew entailed full restrictions of both individual and vehicular movements in the troubled riverine communities from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am, with immediate effect.
He added that those apprehended during the curfew periods would be prosecuted.
According to the statement, “following the violent clash between the Yoruba community and indigenes of Mkpanak group of communities in Ibeno council area, which has resulted in the loss of lives and properties, the Executive Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area has declared a dusk to dawn curfew from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am with immediate effect till further notice.
“Sequel to the above, human and vehicular movements are prohibited in any part of the Local Government, while security agencies have been put on alert to strictly enforce this order, and anyone found during these hours will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”
The Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, has visited the community which is host to Mobil Producing Nigeria.
