By Abiola Olawale
Following escalating tension in some states in the Northern part of Nigeria due to the ongoing nationwide protest, some governors have imposed a curfew to alleviate anxiety.
The New Diplomat checks revealed that the Kano, Yobe, Borno and Katsina state governments have since declared a 24-hour curfew after the protest against hunger turned violent in the above-named states.
Kano State
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State declared the curfew at a press conference held at the government house on Thursday.
The announcement came when suspected hoodlums took advantage of the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests to set ablaze vehicles parked on the premises of the State High Court. Also, the newly built Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Industrial Park in Kano was looted on the first day of the nationwide protests against economic hardship.
The Governor said: “After careful consideration, we have come to terms that 24-hour curfew should be put in place to further prevent looting and vandalisation of businesses and killing of innocent citizens.”
He further directed all security agencies in the state to ensure full compliance with the directive to restore peace in the state.
Yobe State
Also, in Yobe State, a curfew was imposed on Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru local government areas, respectively, after suspected hoodlums took advantage of the demonstration to vandalise and loot government and private property.
“The state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru. The public is at this moment advised to abide by the curfew order and stay at home for peace to reign in these areas and the state at large,” the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brig Gen Dahiru Abdussallam (Rtd), said in a statement on Thursday.
Borno State
Similarly, the Borno State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew in response to a suicide attack that killed 16 people in Kauri, a village in Konduga Local Government Area.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, announced the curfew during a press conference at Government House, Maiduguri.
Prof Usman Tar said: “Some people came out to protest, and on the eve of this protest, Boko Haram attacked a village called Malari near Konduga LGA, where 16 people lost their lives and over 20 people are still receiving treatment at Specialists Hospital Maiduguri.”
He emphasised the government’s concern about the risk of violent infiltration by non-state actors, which has already manifested.
“To avert future occurrences, the Borno State government has taken firm decisions to impose a curfew,” he added.
Katsina State
In Katsina State, the Deputy Governor, Faruq Lawal, has announced the imposition of a 24-hour curfew in Dutsin-Ma LGA and 7 am to 7 pm in the remaining 33 LGAs.
He also banned any kind of protests across the state, saying the decision was to ensure peace and order.
