The Kaduna state government has selectively varied the 24-hour curfew declared on Sunday in Kaduna metropolis and other parts of the state with immediate effect.
TVC News gathered that decision was arrived at, at a meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council which received reports and deliberated on the security situation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Samuel Aruwan, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Media & Publicity), the security council recommended that the curfew in Kasuwan Magani and Kujama is relaxed so that people can move between 6am and 5pm.
The statement read: “Following the review, the Security Council recommended that the curfew in Kasuwan Magani and Kujama is relaxed so that people can move between 6am and 5pm. The curfew in Kasuwan Magani and Kujama remains but will now be enforced from dusk to dawn – from 5pm in the evening to 6am in the morning, till further notice.”
It further stated that the State Security Council determined that threats continue in Kabala West, Kabala Doki, Sabon-Tasha, Narayi and Maraban Rido within Kaduna Metropilis where attacks on places of worship were either attempted overnight or contemplated. Therefore, the Security Council has decided that the 24-hour curfew should remain in these places, and will be vigorously enforced. Any individual that violates will be arrested, and the security agencies directed to engage any hoodlums or unauthorized groups with appropriate force.
Similarly, for the rest of Kaduna metropolis, the Security Council noted an improvement in the security situation, and therefore decided that a window be provided for residents to be able to restock on essentials.
Consequently, the curfew in the rest of Kaduna Metropolis is relaxed from 1pm to 5pm today (Tuesday) to enable all markets, shops and businesses to open and operate.
According to the statement, Security agents will patrol and protect the markets to ensure safety and deal with any attempts by hoodlums to engage in criminal conduct. The 24-hour curfew in Kaduna Metropolis will be re-imposed from 5pm today, and until further notice.
The Security Council however regrets the inconvenience to residents, but reminded the residents that the obligation to secure lives and property necessitates an uncompromising approach.