The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Curfew

  • Calm returns to Kwara warring communities as govt. imposes curfew

    Calm returns to Kwara warring communities as govt. imposes curfew

    Relative calm has returned to Iloffa and Odo-Owa communities in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara after the outbreak of hostilities among the two neighbouring communities last Thursday.

    The crisis, which erupted from a market bordering the communities resulted in the killing of two persons and destruction of properties.

    The crisis was said to have escalated due to disagreements among the community leaders over the introduction of the traditional new yam festival in the said market.

    Meanwhile, the state government had imposed curfew on the two warring communities as part of measures to curtail the crisis.

    Alhaji Isiaka Gold, the Secretary to the State Government, announced the curfew
    in a statement after an on-the-spot assessment of damages in the communities.

    He announced a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew with immediate effect.

    Gold stated that with the curfew, all human and vehicular movement in the two affected communities had been barred.

    According to him, the state government is also ordering the suspension of any activities relating to the yam festival in Oke Ero Local Government Area of the state.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who monitored the situation on Sunday reports that many houses and shops remained under lock.

    A combined team of police and army were seen patrolling the metropolis to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

    Gold added that the curfew was to assist security agencies to contain and prevent the escalation of the conflict, as well as restore peace.

    He reaffirmed government’s determination toward ensuring adequate security for citizens and urged residents of both communities to remain calm and continue to conduct their lawful affairs in peace.

    He, however, warned that the full weight of the law would bear on any individual or group found to have initiated, participated or otherwise contributed to the violent conflict between the neighbouring communities.

    Government had resolved to institute a judicial commission of inquiry to unravel the immediate cause and perpetrators of the act, he added. (NAN)

  • Ethnic clash: Osun declares curfew in Ife

    Ethnic clash: Osun declares curfew in Ife

    The Osun state government has declared a two day curfew in Ile-Ife over alleged clashes between Hausa and Yoruba communities in the state.

    In a statement signed by Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the Director of Communications and Strategy, office of the Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, it said “the curfew, which will be between 6pm to 7am, takes effect from today Wednesday March, 8th, 2017 and will be in force till Friday.”

    The government said the curfew was necessitated by the breach of the peace in the area which has led to avoidable destruction of lives and properties.

    Five persons have been reported killed and many others injured in the clash.

  • Kaduna govt imposes curfew on Jema’a, Kaura councils

    Kaduna govt imposes curfew on Jema’a, Kaura councils

    •Union kicks against 24-hour restriction

    The Kaduna State Security Council has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Jema’a and Kaura Local Government.
    The government said the curfew became necessary to protect life and property and avoid a further breakdown of law and order following the recent attacks.
    A statement by Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s media aide, Samuel Aruwan, said: “All security agencies on special operation in the two councils have been directed to ensure strict compliance. Only essential workers and those on humanitarian services are allowed movement after due clearance by security agents.”
    A traditional ruler in Kaninkon, a community under attack on Monday, Mallam Tanko Tete, said his chiefdom would expose enemies of unity in the land and restore peace.
    He spoke when he received officials of the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria at his palace in Bakin Kogi, following the attacks on Bakin Kogi, a community in his chiefdom.
    Tete called on relevant agencies to ensure the perpetrators were apprehended and prosecuted.
    Northern Co-coordinator of Global Peace Foundation Nigeria Rev. John Joseph Hayab said the visit was to condole with the people of Kaninkon and Southern Kaduna for the attack on Bakin Kogi.
    He condemned the attack, saying the foundation would spread its vision of “One Family Under God” by brokering peace and harmony among the people of Southern Kaduna.
    The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has kicked against the 24-hour curfew, saying it had done more harm than good in the past.
    President Musa Kaptain Solomon said: “I want the position of SOKAPU to be clear. We are in support of any lawful measure that would bring peace. We are not against any curfew if it would make us more secure, but our experience in the past few weeks has shown that anytime a curfew is imposed, it keeps our people at home for the marauders to attack easily.
    “It was under a curfew and the heavy presence of police that Goska, a short distance from Kafanchan, was attacked last December. It was also a 24-hour curfew that some youths were killed in Samaru Kataf in January.
    “The curfew in Zangon Kataf lasted for two weeks. People stayed indoors, markets and schools were shut. The victims of the violence were further punished while the killers roamed freely. It became very difficult for many to feed their households. If this latest curfew will lead to arresting the murderers, good and fine. But if it is just to add to our suffering by being forced to stay at home, then we beg to differ,” he said.

  • 24- hour curfew imposed on Kafanchan

    Jema’a Local Government Council authority of Kaduna State has imposed a 24 hour curfew on Kafanchan and its environs to prevent further break down of law and order following a massive protest by youths of Kafanchan.

    The youths have been protesting what they called unending killings in Southern Kaduna and the inability of the government and security agents to put the situation under control.

    Interim Chairman of Jema’a local government, Dr. Bege Katuka who confirmed the development via a telephone interview hinted that the decision became necessary to forestall any possible breakdown of law and order in his jurisdiction.

    According to the council chair, “as a responsible government, it was incumbent on the Council to take proactive measures to guarantee the safety of lives and property.”

    He urged the people to be calm and remain indoors until the situation improves.

    The protest, which was staged on Monday morning alleged government of insensitivity to the unending terror acts that have claimed scores of lives and property.

    Spokesperson of the youths, Mr. Nathan Chaweson regretted the high level of impunity exhibited by the the attackers even with the presence of security operatives at flashpoints.

    Chaweson lamented government’s failure to guarantee the security of the people, adding that for the period the attacks lasted, no single arrest had been recorded.

    According to him, “We are pushed to the wall to question the innocence of the government in what has been happening”.

    He however demanded that the government rise to its responsibility of protecting lives and property in all parts of the state to give everyone a sense of belonging.

    The protesting youths were seen with leaves and placards with different inscriptions, including, ‘government should end killings in Southern Kaduna’ and ‘arrest our attackers’, among others.

    Jema’a and Kauru Local Government Areas, both in the Southern Kaduna have in the recent past suffered series of attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen, leading to killings of many people and property destroyed.

  • Govt imposes 24-hour curfew on Kafanchan

    A 24-hour curfew has been imposed on Kafanchan, Kaduna State, after youths set up road blocks and burnt vehicles on the Kafanchan-Kagoro road, in retaliation of last Saturday’s attack, which left 20 people dead in Godogodo.

    The retaliation was believed to have been carried out by herdsmen who, for two months, had engaged locals in a series of attacks and counter attacks.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several people were killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed from both parties.

    Interim Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Dr Bege Katuka said the curfew would remain in force until normalcy returns, noting that the measure was to further check the breach of the law by youths, who set up illegal road blocks.

    “What is most paramount now is the security of life and property of the people. Security agents will not relent in their effort to repel the attackers,” he added.

    The council chairman, therefore, urged residents to remain calm and not to take the law into their hands.

    Katuka advised the people to remain indoors, explaining that the curfew would allow security agents carry out operations to restore peace.

  • Ahmed imposes curfew on communities

    Ahmed imposes curfew on communities

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Share and Tsaragi in Edu and Ifelodun councils.

    This followed clashes between the communities at the weekend.

    It was learnt that Share LGEA Primary School was damaged during the fracas.

    A source said although nobody died, many people were injured.

    The government, about five years ago, created a buffer zone for the two communities, following a clash over land.

    Sources said leaders from Share ordered some trees in the buffer zone cut down, which angered residents of Tsaragi.

    Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the deployment of security personnel in the area.

    In a statement, Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Isiaka Gold said: “The Kwara State government warns that anyone found with illegal arms and ammunition or found disrupting peace will be dealt with.

    “While other security agencies, particularly the police, State Security Service and Civil Defence are on ground, a detachment of the Army was drafted to ensure compliance  and maintain peace.

    “The government assures the people of its preparedness to ensure the welfare and security of citizens.

    “Other communities are urged to live in peace with their neighbours, as the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on anyone or group causing trouble, no matter how highly placed.”

  • Military to residents: curfew still in place

    The military in Yobe State has warned residents of Damaturu, the capital, that the curfew has not been lifted.

    This followed reports that residents were not obeying restriction of movement, as peace had returned to the state.

    It warned those flaunting the curfew to desist.

    The warning, contained in a statement by Col. Texas Chukwu, for the General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division (Tactical), Damaturu, reminded residents that the curfew was between 10pm and 6am.

    “In the course of the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, it has become necessary for the military and the government to warn on the movement of people for a certain period, for the benefit of all. It is worthy to remind the people that the curfew is between 10pm and 6am,” the statement said.

    It gave residents security tips, such as watching out for strange faces and avoiding crowded places. The statement solicited the “support and cooperation of the citizens with security agencies, by giving them information concerning the insurgents, to enhance their job, while pledging the confidentiality of the informants.”

    It noted that the curfew was not meant to inconvenience the people, but was for their safety. It said all local governments should observe the order.

  • Military warns Damaturu residents to obey curfew

    With concern that Damaturu residents may not be obeying the restriction of movement placed on the city as peace gradually returns in the state, the military has issued a fresh warning for those  flaunting the orders.

    The fresh warning which was contained in a press release signed by Col. Texas Chukwu for General Officer Command 3 Armored Division Nigerian Army(Tactical), Damaturu, reminded residents of Damaturu that the curfew time is still in force from 10pm to 6am.

    “In the cause of the fight against the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) here in Damaturu, Yobe State, it has become necessary for the military and the state government to warn on the movement of citizens for a certain period for the benefit of all. It is worthy to remind the good citizens of Yobe State that the curfew period still remains from 10pm to 6am…,” the statement said.

    The statement also gave some security tips to residents on the fight against the insurgents like; watching out for strange faces in their vicinity, avoiding crowded places such as recreational centres, motor parks, and football viewing centres; market places and unusual gatherings at different places in the town.

    The statement equally solicited the “support and cooperation of the citizens with security agencies by   providing them with useful information concerning the insurgents to enhance their job, while pledging the confidentiality of the informant.”

    It noted that the curfew was not meant to inconvenience the people of the state but for the safety of all, including those in  all the local government areas in the state.

  • Borno reviews curfew

    Borno state government yesterday reviewed the curfew imposed on Maiduguri.

    The curfew was reviewed following the meeting with the service chiefs and Governor Kashim Shettima in Maiduguri.

    The curfew which was initially from 6am to 7pm is now reviewed to 6am to 9.30pm.

    Governor Kashim Shettima who personally addressed newsmen in a live broadcast said, “The curfew is only applicable to the residents of Maiduguri metropolis and Jere Local Government area, while those wishing to enter the town outside the metropolis will be restricted on or before 7pm.

    He noted that the 6am- 7pm curfew still stand especially for motorists and passengers that will be coming outside Maiduguri metropolis, while residents of the city are allowed to go about their normal businesses within the extended curfew period during the Ramadan season.

    The governor called on the public to be vigilante and be law abiding.

  • Fayose lifts curfew

    Fayose lifts curfew

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose yesterday lifted the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on Ado-Ekiti on May 22, following a civil disturbance.

    The governor, in a state broadcast, described the crisis between the Hausa  and commercial drivers in Ado-Ekiti as unfortunate.

    He urged residents to be law abiding and conduct their activities in a manner that would not cause further breakdown of law and order.

    Fayose said the government lifted the curfew after security agents had restored peace in the state.

    Fayose said the  government had placed N2 million ransom on anybody that could provide information which could facilitate the arrest of the kidnappers, who abducted 11 people.

    He said kidnapping was strange to the state, warning that the government would fight it.