National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Katsina State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Dutsinma Local Government Area.
This decision, announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, was made public on Thursday.
The announcement, made in a statement signed by Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua, Director of Media at the Secretary’s office, detailed the actions taken by Acting Governor Malam Faruq Jobe, including the prohibition of unusual gatherings and all forms of protests throughout the state.
The imposition of the curfew follows an emergency State Security Council meeting addressing reports of law and order breakdowns in parts of the state due to the nationwide protests.
The acting governor had earlier received a group of civil society organisations who had peacefully demonstrated at the Government House, promising to convey their concerns to the relevant authorities.
However, subsequent reports indicated that some individuals had hijacked the protest, engaging in shop breaking, looting, and vandalising of public and private properties.
In response, the government deemed it necessary to implement these measures to protect lives and properties.
The acting governor urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that security agencies have been instructed to arrest anyone violating the orders.
He also encouraged residents to continue their legitimate activities during the permitted hours of movement.
The state police have begun enforcing the curfew.
In a statement, ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, the command’s spokesman, denied allegations that police personnel used live ammunition on protesters, resulting in fatalities.
“We wish to dismiss the misinformation that police personnel shot live ammo at protesters, resulting in the loss of lives.
“Our officers exercised the maximum level of restraint and professionalism in handling the situation.
“There is no record of any fatalities resulting from police actions as of the time of these reports,” he stated.
