Normalcy Returns In Jigawa As Govt Tinkers With Curfew, Relaxes Degree In Eight LGAs

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

Normalcy is gradually returning in Jigawa as the state government has announced further adjustment to the curfew imposed on the state in the wake of the massive destruction to properties during the first day of hunger protest.

This is coming one week after the state government clamped an indefinite 24-hour curfew in all parts of the state.

Consequently, the state government has announced the relaxation of the curfew in eight local government areas (LGAs) considered to be hotbeds of the destruction and a complete lifting of the curfew in 19 others.

The Commissioner of Information, Sagir Ahmed, Musa, in a statement said the development followed a review of the current security situation across the state during a security council meeting presided over by Governor Umar Namadi.

The Council had last Sunday, reviewed a hitherto 24-hour curfew slammed across the state on Thursday, August 1, following the extensive destruction to properties on the day one of the #Endbadgovernance nationwide protest.

Among the major structures touched by protesters included the state secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where all the valuable items were charted away; fertilizer and rice stores belonging to the state-owned Jigawa State Supply Company, (JASCO) offices in at least eight local government areas, were not spared.

According to the Commissioner “The State Joint Security Committee, chaired by Governor Malam Umar Namadi, took the decision after reviewing reports from security agencies across the state.

“The curfew in the eight LGAs, including Babura, Birnin Kudu, Dutse, the state capital, Gumel, Hadejia, Kazaure, Kiyawa, and Roni will now be from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm pending further improvement in the security situation.

‘The committee commended the people of the 19 LGAs where the curfew was lifted for their patriotism and respect for authorities. They also praised the people of Giwa LGA for their cooperation with security agencies and support in recovering looted properties.

“The governor, however, thanked residents and citizens for their patience and understanding during the trial period and appealed for continued support and prayers for peace and stability in the state in particular and Nigeria at large.”

However, many residents of Dutse, the state capital, were seen taking advantage of the opportunity to make purchases. Unlike the past five days, some shops and markets around the capital opened for business but hurriedly closed in time to best the 9:00 pm dead line.

After the deadline, however, it was observed that a combined security agents were enforcing the curfew by sending many motorists and motorcycle operators back from the city centre.