ENDSARS protest hijack: Obiano reads riot act to hoodlums

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has cautioned people wreaking havoc within the State, to stop forthwith to avoid further destruction of lives and property.
Governor Obiano stated this on Saturday, after receiving in audience senior Police Officers including Deputy Inspector General, Celestine Okoye, Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 13, Danmallam Mohammed and the state Commissioner of Police, John Abang in Awka.
The ENDSARS protest had taken another dimension since Wednesday night, with hoodlums torching police stations and killing policemen across the state.
Addressing the security men, Governor Obiano disclosed that credible intelligence reports have confirmed the infiltration of the protest by people perpetuating carnage who are mainly from outside the state.
According to him, the hoodlums are believed to be planning further destruction and disruption up to next week.
He, therefore, called for restraint.
“With our sweat and blood, we have built this state and we can not allow any intruder to undermine the peace and tranquillity we have enjoyed as Ndi Anambra. It is more important for us because our major strength which is commerce depends seriously on how peaceful our state is. This is why we must rise together against these criminals who have hijacked what was a peaceful protest,” Obiano said.
The governor called on Ndi Anambra to see the renewed disturbance as a collective threat to the peace in the state and join hands and protect their communities against those unleashing mayhem.
According to Obiano, it is the primary responsibility of the state to protect lives and property.
“I want to assure you that my government is ready to do that but those who maintain the peace have nothing to fear. I want to appreciate the contributions of the traditional rulers, the youths, and many others who have come out to defend their communities. This is our land and we must defend it. I want to warn these hoodlums to desist from further destruction in our dear state,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the officers, DIG Celestine Okoye pleaded with those wrecking havoc to stop, saying that the destruction and carnage being perpetuated against the people is uncalled for.
He expressed regrets that some of the things built by Ndigbo are being destroyed and such should be discouraged by everyone.
“The situation is a very delicate one that all should be concerned. The way we are headed, if nothing is done, can lead to anarchy and the people must rise to end this barbarism once and for all,” he said.
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