Akwa Ibom government has announced the discontinuation of the curfew imposed in the aftermath of the protest against police brutality across the country which saw business outlets worth millions of naira destroyed in the state
The state government said the decision was taken “following the return of normalcy and wide consultation with the security architecture of the State.”
Ini Ememobong, commissioner for information and strategy said in a statement that “Governor Udom Emmanuel has directed the discontinuation of the curfew which was imposed due to some security challenges that occurred in our state.”
“This discontinuation directive takes effect immediately and therefore repeals the earlier directive imposing the curfew,” the statement stated.
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He expressed the gratitude of the governor to the people “for their understanding and cooperation” while commending the gallantry and dedication displayed by the security agencies, throughout the period of the curfew.
It was not immediately clear whether the decision to end the curfew was a result of the economic recession in the country following the contraction of the economy in the last quarter of the year.
During the curfew nightlife, social and economic activities were greatly curtailed.
Akwa Ibom is largely a civil service-driven economy and the informal contributes significantly to the economy which had been hit during the curfew, according to economists.
Ememobong notes however that “despite the discontinuation order, security agencies are still maintaining high-level alert and are prepared to decisively deal with any attempt at the disruption of peace and subversion of law and order, especially as the Yuletide approaches.”
