A 24-hour curfew has been imposed on two local government areas, Jema’a and Kaura LGA’s of Kaduna State.
This followed a protest in Kafanchan over killings and destruction of communities in the Southern Kaduna area.
Thousands of the protesters carried placards calling on the government to put a stop to the attacks.
Trouble broke out, however when the protesters were challenged by another group from the area.
Armed mobile policemen came to the place around 10 a.m. and started firing tear gas into the crowd.
The Interim Management Committee (IMC) chairman of Kaura local government, Mr Alex Musa Iya, said he and his colleague in Jema’a LG, Dr. Humble Katuka, had to take steps to restrict movement for now due to the security situation.
He said: “It is true that IMC chairman of Jema’a LGA has declared a 24-hour curfew on the entire Jema’a LGA with emphasis on Kafanchan. After studying the situation, I thought it expedient to also restrict movement in Kaura for 24 hours due to the proximity of the two areas. I am happy to inform you that there is calm everywhere now.
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“We shall study the situation and take all the necessary steps to ensure peace and security. The intention is not to hurt anyone. We call on our people to please co-operate in the interest of everyone.”
Interim Chairman of Jema’a Local Government, Bege Katuka explaining reason for the curfew said, “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 improved.
Speaking on behalf of the protesting youths, Mr Nathan Chaweson, expressed regret over ‘the high level of impunity’ exhibited by the perpetrators of the various attacks in Southern Kaduna in recent times ‘even with the presence of security operatives’ at flashpoints.
“Throughout the period the attacks lasted, no single arrest had been recorded. We are pushed to the wall to question the innocence of the government in what has been happening,” Chaweson said.
He challenged the government to rise to the responsibility of protecting lives and property in all parts of the state to give everyone a sense of belonging.
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