Katsina State Imposes 24-Hour Curfew in Response to Nationwide Unrest
In response to escalating unrest due to the nationwide protests, the Katsina State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Dutsinma Local Government Area.
The decision was announced on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, in a statement issued in Katsina.
Signed by Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua, Director of Media at the office of the Secretary to the State Government, the statement revealed that the acting governor, Malam Faruq Jobe, has also banned unusual gatherings and all forms of protests across the state.
This decision follows an emergency State Security Council meeting convened due to reports of law and order breakdown in various parts of the state, triggered by nationwide protests.
“The acting governor had earlier received a group of Civil Society Organizations who were on a peaceful demonstration at the Government House and pledged to deliver their messages to the appropriate authority.
However, later reports indicated that some miscreants had hijacked the protest and unleashed their ulterior motives of shop-breaking, looting, and vandalization of public and private properties,” the statement explained.
To safeguard lives and properties, the government deemed these measures necessary.
Citizens are urged to remain calm and law-abiding, as security agencies have been directed to arrest any individuals or groups violating the curfew or engaging in unlawful activities.
Acting Governor Jobe has appealed to the people of Katsina State to continue their legitimate activities within the constraints of the curfew.
Similarly, the state police have commenced enforcement of the curfew. ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, the command’s spokesman, addressed circulating rumors regarding police conduct during the protests.
“We wish to dismiss the misinformation that police personnel shot live ammunition at protesters, resulting in loss of lives. We assure the public that our officers exercised maximum restraint and professionalism in handling the violent protesters. There is no record of any fatalities resulting from police actions as of the time of these reports,” Sadiq-Aliyu stated.
The Katsina State Government reiterates its commitment to maintaining peace and security, urging residents to cooperate with law enforcement agencies during this period.
