The Rivers State government has lifted the midnight-till-dawn curfew which had been imposed in the state since August.
Announcing this in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Honourable Magnus Abe, the state, however, noted that the recently imposed curfew on Okrika Local Government Area of the state still stands.
According to the statement, the decision was taken after the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, had due consultations with security chiefs in the state.
The statement read thus, �the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in consultation with the security agencies, has directed that the curfew presently in force in the state be lifted with effect from today, 30th December, 2007.
�This decision, however, does not apply to Okrika Local Government Area, where the curfew will remain in effect from 6.00 p.m to 6.00 a.m daily.
�There will, therefore, be free movement of vehicles and persons throughout the state, except in Okrika Local Government Area. �Members of the public and, indeed, residents of the state should realise that security is the collective responsibility of all and support all decisions that will return peace and normalcy to our state.
�The reign of terror and intimidation by criminals and miscreants will not be allowed and must be brought to a final end, as the economic and social cost of insecurity is too high for us to bear as a people.
�Government has already directed the prosecution of all those found to be working in partnership with cultists and criminals who have been terrorising our state,� it stated.
�Any landlord or landowner who allows his residence or property to be used as a residence or meeting place for cultists in the state, without reporting such acts to the law enforcement agencies, will be prosecuted without compromise.�
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