Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has imposed a 24-hour curfew in response to the escalating violence that erupted during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
The decision was announced in a state broadcast on Thursday night, August 1, 2024, and took immediate effect. The governor cited the looting and destruction of property as primary reasons for the curfew, emphasizing that such actions are not part of the state's culture and tradition.
Governor Namadi stated, "As a result of that, we are introducing a 24-hour curfew in Jigawa State and this curfew will continue up till the time we have reviewed the situation again with the security agencies and we feel it’s time for us to relax."
He also mentioned that the curfew would be temporarily relaxed from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Friday to allow Muslims to participate in the Jumm’at congregational prayers.
The violent turn of the protests, which initially aimed to address issues of bad governance and hunger, led to an emergency State Security Council meeting.
During this meeting, it was unanimously decided that a curfew was necessary to restore order and ensure the safety of citizens. Governor Namadi expressed his gratitude to the Ulamas and traditional rulers for their efforts in discouraging the protests within the state.
The governor's actions reflect a broader concern for maintaining peace and stability in Jigawa amidst the nationwide unrest. He urged the public to remain vigilant and united, stating, "It is paramount that we protect our citizens from further harm and preserve the sanctity of our state’s institutions and businesses."
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