Kaduna Government Imposes 24-Hour Curfew Amidst Violent Protests

The Kaduna State Government has announced a 24-hour curfew for both Kaduna and Zaria metropolitan areas. This measure was implemented following a security assessment conducted by the government.

The curfew, which takes effect immediately, is a response to escalating violence connected to the ongoing nationwide protests. These demonstrations, which started earlier this week, have escalated into severe unrest in several states including Kaduna, Kano, and Borno.

Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner for Internal Security, indicated that the protests have been overtaken by criminal elements. “There is sufficient evidence to clearly indicate that the ongoing protest has been hijacked by criminal elements who have resorted to looting of shops and destruction of private and public property,” Aruwan stated.

According to Amnesty International, at least 13 deaths have occurred as a result of the protests, with the police implicated in some of the fatalities, though law enforcement disputes these claims.

The protests are driven by demands for economic and political reforms, including a reversal of recent government policies such as the removal of petrol subsidies. These policies have significantly impacted Nigeria’s cost of living, contributing to the country’s worst economic crisis in a generation.

Governor Uba Sani’s administration has urged citizens to remain indoors while security forces work to restore order. The curfew will be monitored and adjusted as necessary, with ongoing assessments to determine its duration and impact.