Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi has imposed a 24-hour curfew following the escalation of violence on the first day of the nationwide protest in the state.

The governor, who announced the curfew in a state broadcast on Friday, August 2, 2024, described the development in Jigawa State as unfortunate.

Namadi, however, said the curfew would be relaxed for two and half hours on Friday to enable Muslims attend the Juma’at prayer in the mosque.

He said: “To ensure the return of peace and stability, we announced the 24-hour curfew.

“However, for Friday the curfew will be relaxed between noon and 2:30 p.m. to allow people attend Friday prayer in the Mosque.

Protest: Hoodlums loot warehouses in Jigawa

“The situation in which the peaceful demonstration turned violent characterised by destruction and looting is totally unaccepted and it is not in our culture, therefore, we will not allowed it to continue unabated.

“Together with security agencies, we will continue to study the situation and take appropriate action to safeguard the lives and property of the people against miscreants and hoodlums across the state.”

The Star had reported that some suspected hoodlums, on Thursday, August 1, vandalised the warehouses of the Jigawa Agricultural Supply Company (JASCO) and looted fertilisers and inputs.

Scores of hoodlums hijacked the nationwide protest and looted agricultural commodities at the warehouses in Birnin Kudu, Gumel, and Hadejia Local Government Areas of Jigawa State.

Police operatives and other security agents were said to have fired teargas to disperse the rampaging youths and maintain law and order in the affected areas.

The Star