The curfew is to make way for a security exercise to be carried out by the government in the affected areas.
The Edo State Government has declared a 24-hour curfew in the Obazagbon to Ogheghe axis of the Irhirhi-Arogba-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Road.
The curfew, according to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, will be observed between 12:00 am Thursday, September 29, 2022, to 12:00 am Friday, September 30, 2022.
According to the statement, the curfew is to make way for a security exercise to be carried out by the government in the affected areas.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay indoors during the curfew, the statement said.
The statement read, “This is to notify the general public that the Edo State Government has declared a curfew in the Obazagbon to Ogheghe axis of the Irhirhi-Arogba-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Road for 24 hours, starting from 12:00 am Thursday, September 29, 2022, to 12:00 am Friday, September 30, 2022.
“Government is conducting a security operation in the area and warns members of the communities to steer clear of the Obazagbon to Ogheghe axis of the road, so as not to endanger themselves.
“Residents in the area are advised to stay indoors as the government embarks on the security exercise.”
It added that the affected areas are from Obazagbon Junction to Ogheghe Junction on the Irhirhi-Arogba-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Road and its environs; from Ogheghe Junction on the Irhirhi Road up to Ogba River and its environs; road connecting Okoroma Junction on the Irhirhi Road to Amagba and its environs and from Amagba Junction to Ogba River on the Ogheghe-Obagie Road (link to Sapele Road) and its environs.
Ogie added that “anyone found loitering in the area during the curfew will be arrested”.
“To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” he added.
The action comes a few days after the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād claimed responsibility for an attack on a police checkpoint in the state.
ISWAP had in a statement obtained by SaharaReporters claimed it attacked a police checkpoint along Ibillo-Igarra Road last Thursday.
The terror group also published a burnt patrol vehicle belonging to the state security joint team involving the police, Nigerian Army, Edo State Vigilante Network and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, adding that one policeman was killed in the attack.
The government, however, dismissed the claim, adding that the policemen were ambushed by bandits.