By Jonathan Ugbal
Troops of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have repelled an attempt by militants to enter Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The city has been in chaos following the looting of public and private properties between Friday afternoon and Saturday night. The looting lasted over 30 hours.
Some properties were razed after the looting.
And, militants are said to have tried to gain entry into the city moments ago despite a curfew imposed by Governor Ben Ayade with the military who were drafted into the streets halting their movements.
“The Army engaged the militants in a gun duel that lasted a while. Three vans of reinforcements later joined their colleagues at Arab junction to repel the militants,” a resident told this reporter.
Meanwhile, Governor Ayade has extended the statewide curfew, a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Christian Ita says.
“This is to inform everyone who resides in Cross River State that the dusk to dusk curfew imposed by the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade is still in force,” the statement read.
An earlier statement announced a dusk to dawn curfew which ended on Sunday morning following the lapse of a 24 hour curfew which began Friday at 6:00PM.
“Consequent upon this, everyone is advised to remain indoors as security agencies will not tolerate any non compliance,” the statement added.