KADUNA CURFEW: GOVT REVIEWS RESTRICTION; Dusk To Dawn

Following improvements observed in the security situation in Kaduna state, the state government at a special security meeting held on Wednesday evening, has reviewed the curfew imposed on Sunday on the state.


A statement released late Wednesday evening by Samuel Aruwan, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Kaduna state Governor, Mal. Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai disclosed that the curfew hours in the state has been reviewed, effective Thursday, 25th October 2018.

According to the statement, "residents of Kaduna are free to pursue their legitimate business from 6am to 5pm", it stated.

"A dusk to dawn curfew will be enforced from 5pm to 6am daily, until further notice", it announced.

"The Kaduna State Government took the decision to review the curfew hours following a meeting today of a select committee of the State Security Council. The heads of the security agencies reported significant progress in restoring calm and commended residents for the peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves during the four-hour relaxation of the curfew in parts of Kaduna yesterday", the statement read.

It expressed Government's gratefulness to the citizens for their cooperation while withstanding the unintended inconvenience.

"Government expects normal banking and other services to resume, and markets to open as normal as from tomorrow. The security agencies will remain vigilant and continue to protect residents".

"Intensive surveillance of known pockets of potential trouble, is also continuing by troops on the ground and by helicopter patrols".

"It is obligatory on residents to scrupulously observe the night-time curfew hours, to keep the peace and to cooperate with the security agencies to keep our state safe. Community leaders are enjoined to ensure that hoodlums and other potential threats to peace are promptly reported to the security agencies", it cautioned.

"Government therefore urges all residents to report any suspicious activity to the security agencies and to refrain from spreading rumours and unverified information".

"The Security Council advises that there will be no hesitation to reimpose a 24-hour curfew in the event of any breach of the peace", the statement warned.

Meanwhile, many residents spoken to, appreciated the decision of the government in reviewing the curfew hours as many residents were already getting frustrated following their inability to make purchases and undertake certain obligations.

A farmer, Kabachat Jeremiah told Naij News Alert that he almost developed high blood pressure from being unable to go to his farm and tend to his poultry which went without food on Monday morning and by late afternoon of same day, had lost some of his eggs.

He, however, blamed the government for its poor proactiveness in checkmating the crisis before it blew out of control.

According to Jeremiah, the incident at Kasuwan Magaini was enough warning knowing the reactions of people to such occurrences of years past.

"Security was lax which was why miscreants and unemployed persons took advantage of the absence of security personnel to wreck havoc on innocent citizens", he said.

He condemned the actions of those involved the violence which resulted to loss of lives and properties.

"I do not see any reason why people will take laws into their hands and snuff life out of another human being", he lamented.

He appealed for all to be their brothers keepers and live in peace and unity.