The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Friday extended the ultimatum given to fleeing inmates to return by one week.
The governor had on Wednesday ordered the about 2,000 inmates who escaped from the Benin and Oko correctional centres on Monday to return to the facilities by October 23.
On Monday, October 19, 2020, hoodlums orchestrated jailbreaks in two correctional centres during the nationwide #ENDSARS protests in the state.
However, The governor said the ultimatum was extended following a meeting he had with heads of security agencies in the state at the Government House in Benin City on Friday.
He added that the extension of the ultimatum was as a result of the positive response from the prisoners, as a good number of them had since returned to the two correctional facilities.
Obaseki said the new window will allow more prisoners to return to the two correctional centres voluntarily.
On the curfew he placed on the state after the prisoners were released by hoodlums, Obaseki said security situation in Edo State has improved.
The statement said, “The governor has reviewed the curfew in the state to commence from 6pm to 6am daily, as against 4pm to 6am. The adjustment will take effect from Saturday, October 24, 2020. The security situation in the state is seen to be improving and we appreciate the Edo people for adhering to government’s directives.”
The governor also reiterated the commitment of his administration to the security of lives and property in the state, adding that his government will continue to work with security agencies to ensure peace and normalcy is fully restored in the state.
(C) Control TV 2020.
