The Katsina State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Dutsinma Local Government Area of the state.

The Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, announced this in a statement issued on Thursday, August 1, 2024.

Garba-Faskari noted that the government under acting Governor Faruq Jobe also banned unusual gatherings and all types of protest across Katsina State.

He stated that the decision followed an emergency State Security Council meeting convened on the report of the breakdown of law and order in some parts of the state as a result of the nationwide protest.

The SSG said: “The acting governor had earlier received a group of Civil Society Organisations who were on a peaceful demonstration at the Government House and pledged to deliver their messages to the appropriate authority.

“However, government later received reports that some miscreants had hijacked the protest and unleashed their ulterior motives of shop breaking, looting and vandalisation of public and private properties.

Katsina govt shuts schools over planned protest

“Therefore, the government found it necessary to impose these measures to safeguard people’s lives and properties in the state.”

He quoted the acting governor as warning the people of Katsina State to remain calm and law-abiding, saying security agencies have been directed to arrest any individual or group of persons violating the orders.

Jobe also appealed to the people to continue with their legitimate activities within the free movement period.

Meanwhile, the Katsina State Police Command said it has begun enforcement of the curfew across the state.

The command’s spokesman, ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, who made this known via a statement said: “We wish to dismiss the misinformation that police personnel shot live ammunition at protesters, resulting in loss of lives.

“We assure the members of the public that our officers exercised the maximum level of restraint and professionalism in handling the violent protesters

“There is no record of any fatalities resulting from police actions as of the time of these reports.”

The Star