The Kaduna State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria due to ongoing protests which they say have been hijacked by criminals looting and destroying property.
Commissioner Samuel Aruwan announced this on Monday, urging residents to stay indoors while security forces restore order.
The authorities say the situation will be monitored, and the curfew reviewed if the need arises.
The unrest escalated on the fifth day of demonstrations, with violent protestors vandalizing properties and targetting innocent residents
On the first day of protests, the police alerted the public that a proscribed religious group had hijacked the demonstration in the state.