Benue State Government Places 10:00pm Curfew on Funeral Ceremonies

 The Benue State Government has via an executive order signed by the governor, Hyacinth Alia, banned families from organising the funeral wake of deceased loved one beyond 10:00pm. The order signed by Governor established the Department of Public Order in the Ministry of Justice to coordinate government policies and matters relating to public orderliness. The government further warned that any breach of the prescribed public rules would result to a sanction between N20,000 and N500,000 fine or imprisonment, depending on the gravity of the offence. 

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Speaking on the imposed 10:00pm curfew for a funeral wake, Deputy governor of Benue state, Sam Odeh, on behalf of governor Alia, said the decision on the curfew was to curb the widespread criminality and political violence such as kidnappings, murders, and intimidation against targeted groups or individuals leading to the emergency of local warlords and militia groups in the state. The deputy governor emphasized that any person seeking for whatsoever reason to hold a gathering beyond the stipulated 10:00pm, is to first seek and obtain a permit from the Department of Public Order at the Ministry of Justice.