Fear of attack reinforces dust-to-dawn curfew in Delta communities

The fear of attacks by armed robbers operating within Asaba, Warri, and Uvwie communities in Delta state, on Sunday, reinforced the state government dusk- to dawn curfew among residents.

Following the increasing cases of armed robberies, particularly attacks on residents, it was gathered that these armed hoodlums have defied the curfew order and lockdown by the state government to curtail the spread of coronavirus as they swoop on unsuspecting residents in the mentioned areas at nightfall.

In the last four days, it has been hue and cry of unprecedented robbery attacks on the people by the armed bandits who during their operations allegedly consume whatever food that they find in their victims houses.

An unidentified man who was said to have hailed from Abakalika, Ebonyi state, was allegedly murdered last Wednesday by these rampaging hoodlums who often use motorcycles to dispossess unsuspecting members of the public of their mobile phones in Warri metropolis.

Sources said there were similar robbery cases around Ginuwa Junction, Ogburu, Okere Junction by Igbo Market, Pessu and Effurun fly-over areas during the curfew hours.

However, a man, Johnson Sodje, who operates a barbing saloon located at Warri main garage, said: “The hoodlums have helped the state government to enforce the curfew order in many areas in the state.

“Government security agents are commissioned to enforce the curfew, the highest punishment they can give is to arrest someone as an offender, but this is not so with the hoodlums who are out to dispose their victims of their valuables and at times kill their victims in the process.

“So, it is wise to obey the curfew than to be a victim of armed robbers.”

A female food vendor in Asaba, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the situation as pathetic, adding that even though there are pockets of robbery cases, but the curfew has kept more people indoors instead of becoming victims of armed robbery attacks.

Meanwhile, going by the number of deserted check-points in the state, our correspondent reports that fatigue may have forced security agents to withdraw from their beats in enforcing the lockdown and curfew order imposed by Delta state government to check the spread of the coronavirus in the state.

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In Asaba, investigation revealed that the check -points manned by men of the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other sister agencies were largely desolate as at the time of this report.

With barricades at FMC Roundabout, Federal College Junction, DLA Junction and other strategic locations in Asaba, security personnel were caught napping, as motorists and pedestrians flouted the lockdown order.

However, few of the security agents at Ibusa Junction, inter Bua roundabout, Konwea plaza Junction and few other spots were seen discharging their duties without favour as at press time.

However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Onome Onovwakpoyeya confirmed that the enforcement of the curfew and lockdown orders were still very much in progress.

He added that anyone caught violating the law would be charged beforethe mobile courts and warned those who violate the lockdown order to desist from such acts.