Nigeria: Rivers State governor declares 24-hour curfew in Rumuokoro area of Port Harcourt November 23

Event

The governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike has announced that a 24-hour curfew will be imposed for two weeks in the Rumuokoro area of Port Harcourt from Monday, November 23, due to a surge in criminal gang activity in the district. The curfew, which will see all vehicular and pedestrian movement banned and schools closed in Rumuokoro until December 7, comes following an increase in criminal activity and violence linked to alleged cult groups around the Okoro-Nu-Odu flyover which is currently under construction in the area. Activities and vehicular movement linked to the construction work on the flyover will be exempt from the curfew, but it is currently unclear whether allowances will also be made for other official and operationally critical travel in the area.

Police operations and severe travel restrictions are likely in and around the Rumuokoro area in the medium term due to the enforcement of the curfew. There is also a realistic possibility of protests and criminal activity linked to the measure in the district and other areas of Port Harcourt.  

Advice

Those in Port Harcourt are advised to avoid the Rumuokoro district and surrounding areas during the curfew period and heed any directives issued by local authorities. Travellers should be aware of the high threat from criminal activity in the city and other areas of Rivers State and ensure that all security and journey management measures remain commensurate with the local threat environment.