The Kaduna State Government, Sunday, imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna town and its environs following renewed tension in Kaduna metropolis over insinuations of reprisal of the violence in Kasuwar Magani area of the state on Friday.
At least 55 people were confirmed killed in the Kasuwar Magani violence that had a religious undertone.
The imposition of curfew was announced in a short statement by Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on his verified Twitter handle.
“This is a notice of a 24-hour curfew imposed on Kaduna town and environs, with immediate effect. Residents are advised to comply by this directive. The decision has been taken in the best interest of the state,” Mr El-Rufai wrote.
Mr El-Rufai’s spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan, also confirmed the curfew.
“24 hours curfew has been imposed on Kaduna town and environs. It is with immediate effect,” Mr Aruwan wrote on his Facebook page Sunday evening.
Recall that Kaduna State Government had on Friday imposed a 24 hours curfew on Kasuwar Magani in Kajuru Local Government Area following the violence.
Many residents of Kaduna metropolis on Sunday rushed indoors as irate youth burnt old tyres along Katsina road, Ibrahim Taiwo road, Lagos Street and Ahmadu Bello Way.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris, has deployed the detachment of police investigation team, headed by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7 to the area to restore peace.
Idris,who condemned the latest action in the state stated that the police have made significant inroads in the investigation into the incident that claimed over 55 lives.
The IGP,in a statement released by Jimoh Moshood, the Force Public Relations Officer, said 22 persons found to have been directly involved in the mayhem have not only been picked up but were also in police custody.
Mr Moshood’s statement read thus:”Concerned with the unfortunate attack and killings of Fifty-Five innocent people, mayhem and the resultant disturbance of public peace that occurred in Kasuwar Magani, Kajuru, Kaduna State on the 18th of October, 2018 which also resulted in destruction of property worth Millions of Naira, and the need to put an end to this crisis, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, has deployed the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 7 Headquarters in charge of Kaduna State, Niger State and the FCT to lead the Police Special Intervention Force, comprising four units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) specially trained Anti-Riot Policemen, Counter Terrorism Unit, Conventional Policemen, Federal Special Anti- Robbery Squad (FSARS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), State Intelligence Bureau (SIB), detachment of EOD, Police K9 (Sniffer Dogs Section), already on ground at Kasuwar Magani, Kajuru, Kaduna State.”
“The operations will cover the entire Kasuwar Magani and environs, and other flash/trouble spots in Kaduna State. The Police Special Intervention Forces will be working in synergy with the Kaduna State Police Command to ensure that total peace and normalcy are restored and sustained in Kasuwar Magani and environs.
“To achieve success in the operations, the Force will be proactive and strict in the enforcement of its mandates, Police standard operations procedures and rules of engagement. The Force will ensure the full enforcement of the curfew imposed on Kasuwar Magani and environs by the Kaduna State Government.
The personnel of the Police special Intervention Force will carry out twenty four (24) hours surveillance and patrol, stop and search; continuous raids of identified criminal hideouts and black spots, with a view to arrest promptly trouble makers, their sponsors and nip in the bud any further attempt to cause violence and other criminality in the area. The deployment of the personnel will equally cover communities, towns, villages, vulnerable points, Government and private infrastructures and facilities in Kasuwar Magani, Kajuru Local Government Area and environs. ”
The statement quoted the IGP of charging “traditional rulers, religious leaders, public office holders, politicians, opinion leaders, parents and guardians are hereby called upon to prevail on their subjects, supporters, children and wards to support the personnel of the Police Special Intervention Force in the discharge of their responsibilities, and propagate peace, demonstrate love, and tolerance to promote harmonious coexistence with their fellow citizens, irrespective of religious, ethnic inclinations and differences.”
The statement also said the police have since arrested and investigated one Dr. Kasim Abdulganiyu for giving false information, telling falsehood and misleading Police to execute search warrant in the house of Ambassador Ibrahim Zakari, former DG, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in Kaduna, Kaduna State.”
However, the Presidency, Sunday, described the violence in Kaduna town as condemnable.
Few days ago, the Kaduna Police Command had announced the deaths of 55 innocent people.
But, other people including Femi Fani-Kayode, a public affairs commentator and critic had stated that more than 100 persons were massacred by Fulani herdsmen.
In his Twitter handle on Sunday, President Muhammadu Buhari authorised the Police to do everything possible to restore calm to the affected area.
“A Special Intervention Force has been deployed to the flash-points, and the IG will provide regular updates,” Buhari stated.
