Sani imposes 24-hour curfew on Kaduna, Zaria metropolis

Kano probes destruction of properties by miscreants

Governor Uba Sani-led administration has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria metropolitan cities, following a fresh outbreak of protest and looting by hoodlums, who broke into shops yesterday, after hijacking the protest against hardship and bad governance.

The miscreants took over the protests by aggrieved thousands of youths, who brandished Russian flags and placards along major streets within Kaduna and Zaria metropolises.

A statement by the Coordinating Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, explained that the Kaduna State Security Council, after a review of the prevailing situation, notified citizens that there was sufficient evidence to show that the ongoing protest had been hijacked by criminal elements, who have resorted to looting of shops and destruction of private and public properties.

“In view of this unfortunate development, the Kaduna State Security Council has unanimously resolved to impose a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria Metropolises and environs with immediate effect.

“Citizens are advised to remain indoors while security forces continue to work to maintain safety and security. Monitoring will be sustained for review of the curfew as required,” the statement added.

MEANWHILE, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has constituted a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the violent demonstration and vandalisation of properties during Thursday’s #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano State. 

The body is to determine the root cause of the violence and the perpetrators. Equipment worth multi-billion Naira were vandalised and looted, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Digital Industrial Park, High Court premises and Kano Printing Press. 

The hoodlums also attacked and inflicted injuries on innocent residents.  Addressing journalists yesterday, Director General, Media and Publicity, Kano Government House, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, disclosed that the 632 hoodlums arrested by the police would be paraded before the panel. 

He hinted that the committee would also investigate killing of protesters and those behind the action and wanton destruction of buildings.  Dawakin-Tofa explained: “The commission will ascertain the root causes of the killings and destruction of public buildings. Let me assure you that Government will not allow anybody to cause mayhem in Kano in the name of protest and go scot free. 

“Peace and order will be restored. The panel will investigate the vandals and their sponsors, and anyone found guilty, will face the music.”