KOGI IMPOSES CURFEW, BANS OKADA IN 3 LGAS

Kogi State Government yesterday imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in three local government areas of the state following the mysterious killings and disappearance of innocent citizens in the affected areas.

This followed a resolution passed by the Kogi State House of Assembly on Tuesday requesting the state government to impose curfew in the area to forestall breakdown of law and order.

The affected local government areas where the incessant killings have been taking place include Okene, Okehi and Adavi Local Governments Areas, all in the central senatorial district of the state. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Musa Amodu who announced this yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital stated that it was a strict measures to protect lives and property and prevent further breakdown of law and order in the area.

Amodu explained that state government had banned the operations of commercial motorcycles popularly known as Okada between the hours of 7.00pm and 6.00am in Okene, Okehi and Adavi Local Government Areas with immediate effect. As part of efforts to beef up security measures, he stated that the state government also made it mandatory for any Okada rider in the affected areas to wear a Reflective jacket with identification number boldly written on it.

Amodu also stated that the government would no longer tolerate the use of motorcycles without registration number in any part of the state, saying those caught henceforth would be dealt with.

He stressed that the law banning celebrations of masquerades in the affected local government areas was still in force and urged traditional rulers and custodians of traditions to ensure compliance with the law. It would be recalled that no fewer than five people had been murdered in the past weeks with some disappearing without any traces. Those murdered include a director of local government.