…Victims Count Losses
BY OKHIDE EM’YA DAVID
The 24-hour curfew imposed by the government of Edo State, following the hijack of the peaceful #EndSARS protest by hoodlums is yet to receive full compliance, as pockets of resistance were very much in evidence in Benin City on Tuesday.
Alltimepost.com correspondent reports that relics of Monday’s mayhem, including remains of burnt tires, vehicles, shattered glass windows of offices and government’s buildings, and broken shops littered virtually all parts of Benin Metropolis and Suburbs.
Despite the no movement order placed by the government of Edo State, some youths were seen roaming the streets and setting up wild fires and blocking free flow of traffic in some areas on Tuesday morning including the popular Oba Ovoramwen King’s Square, parts of Sapele Road, the University community of Ugbowo, and Upper Sakponba.
Few other residents were also on the streets obviously in defiance of the 24-hour Curfew, while those who lost their relatives as well as those whose shops were vandalized complained bitterly.
Mama Peter, Osaze Irebho, Mark Ozigbo whose shops were raided by the hoodlums, and others whose vehicles were set ablaze in the neighborhood of Oko Federal Prisons and those at the various police stations wondered what their crimes were as they were also victims of the nation’s scorching economy and poor governance.
Also at the giant office of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), off Sapele road, owners of Kiosks and several vehicles destroyed during Monday’s mayhem said they were totally perplexed at the attitude of the perpetuators of the violent acts, while one Miriam Abdul said She was extremely lucky to be alive as they attempted to maim her when she could not give them enough money.
They called for compensation from the authorities, saying government would have nipped the outbursts in the bud as soon as the protests showed signs of degenerating into total anarchy.
Anetor Imariagbe particularly queried lack of deployment of adequate armed squads at the various sensitive facilities and prisons knowing that previous protests mainly by youths had led to Jailbreaks.
Visits to some hospitals, including the Central Hospital in Benin saw many who sustained injuries receiving treatment.
They were unwilling to talk to the press for fear of being traced to the hospital to be arrested for the breakdown of law and order.
Luckily a young man who was feared dead on Monday during the alleged shootout between the few armed squad and the hoodlums at the Edo Prison also called White House was receiving treatment, reducing the number of dead persons from eleven to ten. His relatives who could not hide their joy said they had given up hope.
Although the impetus of Tuesday’s agitation was not as strong as that of Monday, some of the youths said they will not quit the struggle until their demands are met by the Federal Government.
Johnson Aikokhian, Osaseri Osazuwa , Imade Uwaifiokun said it was unfortunate that hoodlums seized the opportunity to perpetuate their nefarious acts, but that government’s looking outside reformation of the Police Force should be a matter of urgency .
They said to restore law and order government needs to embark on intensive public enlightenment to create a massive awareness that they have heard the complaints and immediately role out Policies intended to address the issues raised at the protest grounds.
They said such policies should give the youths a fresh sense of belonging and perhaps drive the much needed Patriotism.
However, men of the Nigerian Army soon emerged to disperse the few youths in the streets as unconfirmed reports alleged that a man died in the milieu to clear off the miscreants.
It would be recalled that armed thugs took over the Protest in Benin City on Monday and engaged security personnel on special duties at the various Sensitive facilities including, headquarters of corporate organizations, banks prisons, and police stations, leading to jail breaks at Sapele Road, and Oko Federal Prisons, now known as Correctional Faculty, where according to the Deputy Governor of the State, Mr. Philip Shaibu about, 1,258 inmates escaped.
During the mayhem Idogbo and Ugbekun, police stations both in Upper Sakponba Road were completely burnt down while the Oba Market and Textile Mill police stations were ransacked with many police riffles including the deadly AK 47 Riffles were carted away.
Although sources, as at Tuesday morning said that 6 AK 47 riffles had been recovered with some arrest made, it is still a far cry from what have been stolen by the hoodlums.
