Kaduna violence: 24-hour curfew in full force as market, offices, shops remain shut

Following the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Kaduna State Government in Kaduna metropolis and environs since Sunday evening, major roads and highways have been deserted.

DAILY POST’s correspondent who went round to monitor compliance reports that people are indoors as security operatives, mainly officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, ( NSCDC), Department of State Security, DSS, and state vigilantes were seen on duty, ensuring that the order was adhered to.

In Sabon Tasha axis of the city, checkpoints are mounted at almost all junctions leading to Kachia Road were some protests were witnessed on Sunday, October 21, spreading tension across the city.

A little peep into the streets, it was noticed that though people were seen moving freely, they were grumbling that the Policemen were harassing them.

“We are here inside our community, at least this is not the major road, so we should be allowed to move freely. I feel like I am in prison as I am not allowed to move around,” a senior public service officer who did not disclose her name said.

On most of the streets, rubble of burnt tyres litter the areas from bonfires lit at the peak of the Sunday disturbances.

Meanwhile, Governor Nasir el-Rufai was quoted to have spent the entire night and part of early Monday morning going round the affected areas.

He was accompanied by top government functionaries and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kaduna Central Senatorial candidate, Malam Uba Sani. This was confirmed in the pictures posted on his Senior Assistant Media, Samuel Aruwan’s Facebook wall. He was seen in some of the pictures visiting victims in hospitals.

Some of the hospitals visited, as made known through the social media by his spokesman included, St. Gerard’s Catholic Hospital and Barau Dikko Specialist Teaching Hospital.

As at the time of filing this report, the 24-hour curfew was yet to be relaxed, but there are hopes that after the State Security Council meeting, it would be reviewed.