Calm returns to Warri area as soldiers take over flashpoints

There was tranquillity in Warri and its environs on Friday as soldiers moved in to enforce the 48-hour curfew imposed by the Delta State government on Thursday morning.

The presence of soldiers in and around flashpoints such as the Effurun roundabout and PTI junction went a long way to restore calm.

NewsNet had reported the setting ablaze of a tanker loaded with diesel by EndSARS protesters near the Effurun roundabout for allegedly crushing a teenager to death.

The situation got messy on Thursday as hoodlums hijacked the peaceful protest resulting in unwarranted attacks on some government institutions and private investments.

The Delta City Mall and the Warri Prison were attacked.

Innocent residents of the area were also attacked and robbed of their personal belongings.

A senior journalist with Delta Broadcasting Service, Warri, who does want his name mentioned was among those who narrowly escaped being attacked on Thursday night.

Below was the account of his experience on Thursday night shared on some Whatsapp groups.

God saved me Tonight when going home before the News started by 7pm.

I was attacked twice by youths who blocked the road at Refinery road. I saw them running towards my car and I had to reverse the car quickly and zoomed off.
At Effurun roundabout it was army but I showed them my Id card and pass.

I never saw Security men after Effurun Roundabout instead it was youths who blocked both sides of the round with fire everywhere I have to make many turns to runaway passing smaller streets off my roots

At Close to DSC roundabout I had to reverse my car because of gunshots as boys were advancing towards the station to put it on fire.
I managed to get home without any injury Praise God, Alleluja.

My Area is a flashpoint because boys it was alleged, have vowed to burn Ebrumede Police station.

At the Effurun roundabout NewsNet observed the civilised the matter the soldiers attended to those who were on essential service and others who had genuine reasons to move about.

At the roundabout was a sizeable of persons mostly youths who apparently apprehended for breaching the curfew or found wanting of one offence of the other.

The 48-hour curfew imposed by Governor IfeanyinOkowa elapses today(Saturday) at 6pm.