I will not lift the night curfew in Rivers State – Gov Wike

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State said he will neither extend nor lift the curfew imposed in the state as a result of the incessant attacks on security agents and operational resources, any time soon.

Gov. Wike who spoke on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, said despite the criticisms against the government by sponsored elements in the state, the curfew will remain in place.

The governor justified the imposition of the night curfew while speaking at the 60th birthday celebration of the federal lawmaker representing Rivers South-east senatorial district in the Senate, Senator Barry Barinada Mpigi, in Port Harcourt.

While making allusions to the security situation in the state, Wike said although he is aware of the traffic difficulty experienced by residence of the State, particularly in Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor councils while trying to beat the 8:30pm curfew time, he said it is better to suffer inconveniences and be alive.

“Some criminals who have not been succeeding in kidnapping, have been sending people to go on radio to say the governor should be reasonable, and that they don’t want the curfew again.

“Criminals are the ones who are doing that. I will not agree. Life and property are important for me. All those criminals who have been sending people to go on the radio that they are suffering and that we should extend the curfew to 12am, to enable them to kidnap people from 7pm, will not succeed. Don’t waste your time,” he said.

He charged residence and people of the State to learn how to make sacrifices, suffer the inconveniences of today to achieve a better tomorrow.

Chairman of the occasion and former President of the Movement of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) Ledum Mitee, thanked God for the life of Senator Mpigi, whom he described as a politician with a grassroots appeal.

Senator Mpigi said he decided to celebrate his 60th birthday specifically to thank God for life, sound health, and his reuniting with Governor Wike.