Kaduna State Government Slackens Curfew

KADUNA, June 25, (THEWILL) – After eight days of implementing a stringent curfew that left residents groaning, the Kaduna State government has relaxed the dusk-to- restriction of movement it slammed on the state following the bloodshed that greeted last week’s bomb attacks on three churches in Zaria and Kaduna.

Residents of Kaduna Metropolis, comprising four local government areas were permitted to exercise their freedom of movement for nine hours from Tuesday, while those of the other 19 local governments will be allowed free movement for 12 hours.

The curfew had initially been temporarily softened on Friday for just four hours to allow Muslims observe Jumat prayers, and on Sunday so Christians could attend church services.

“After serious deliberations, the Kaduna State Security Council has reviewed the curfew hours as follows: for today, Monday, June 25, 2012, people can move freely from 12 noon to 4pm,” a statement by Reuben Buhari, the senior special assistant to the governor on media, revealed.

“For tomorrow, Tuesday, June 26, 2012, people in Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi and Chikun Local Government Areas can move freely from 7am to 4pm. While for the remaining 19 Local Government Areas, people can move from 6am to 6pm. All are advised to remain peaceful.”

Hundreds of angry youths had started a riot in Gonin Gora near Kaduna-Abuja Express Way and in Sabon Tasha, Television, Narayi, and Ungwan Romi, manning the routes, burning cars and attacking perceived Hausa-Fulani Muslims, in response to the bombing of three churches by the Boko Haram Islamist sect.