The Nigerian Army has commenced the enforcement of compliance to a curfew imposed by the Aniocha South Local Government Area (LGA) in Ogwashi-Uku community in Delta.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the curfew was imposed following the wave of violent kidnappings in Ogwashi-Uku community, headquarters of Aniocha South LGA.
The latest development followed a general outcry by the villagers, after soldiers had stormed the community at about 9.pm on the night of Sunday, March 16, 2025, forcing shops to close down and brutalizing most villagers seen on the streets.
However, Spokesperson of the 63 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Asaba, Major Emmanuel Onoja told the NAN on Monday night that the presence of the soldiers followed the resurgence of violent kidnappings in Ogwashi-Uku and its environs over the past three months.
“What happened last Sunday night was a case of emergency. We received a distress call that there was a kidnapping incident going on in that area, so a team of soldiers responded to the emergency.
“However, when they got there, because it was almost dark, so in our bid to capture the kidnappers, the suspects ran and infiltrate the streets, thereby mixing with the villagers on the streets.
“And you know as a professional army, we cannot open fire in the street where there are many villagers, so the suspects were able to escape.
“So, the soldiers decided to clear the streets, sending everyone inside because it was already late. We learnt there is a curfew in place just that the residents were not observing it.
“The curfew is between 8pm to 6am imposed by the local government council in an effort to check the rampant cases of kidnappings in the community, but the people have not been observing the curfew order.
“So, following the incident, the soldiers decided to enforce the curfew so that the situation can be put under control, that is what actually happened”, Onoja said.
However, most residents of the community who witnessed the incident have cried out for justice over what they described as a horrible ordeal in the hands of the soldiers.
NAN gathered that most residents who were out on the streets that Sunday night sustain minor injuries, as they ran for safety following the soldiers invasion.
Some shop owners complained of harassment and intimidation from the soldiers who stormed drinking bars, brutalizing customers and shutting down businesses.
A community youth leader, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN on phone that many of the villagers are not aware of any curfew in place in the community.
“We were surprised by the soldiers behaviour, many residents who witnessed the attack, got injured, some fell inside gutters while running, while many others received the beating of thier lives.
“A friend of mine who runs a barbing saloon was mercilessly flogged and he felled down begging the soldiers to allow him close his shop.
“Inasmuch as we appreciate the job the soldiers came to do, we also expect them to respect our freedom to exercise our rights, not intimidation and harassment” he said.(NAN)
