Nationwide Protests: States That Have Declared Curfew

Several states across Nigeria have implemented curfews following the hijacking of a nationwide protest against the cost of living by suspected thugs. 

The protest, which began on August 1, saw demonstrators in major cities chanting slogans like, “We are hungry, end bad governance.”

The initially peaceful protest escalated to violence in some northern states as hoodlums took advantage of the situation to engage in widespread looting and destruction of property. 

States such as Kano, Yobe, Nasarawa, Katsina, and Borno have instituted mandatory curfews in various volatile local government areas. While some curfews are in effect for 24 hours, others last for 12 hours. 

These measures have effectively halted protests in these states, with all residents expected to stay indoors. Here are the states that have imposed curfews.

Borno State

The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, declared a 24-hour curfew following a bomb blast that killed at least 16 people in a tea shop in Kawori, a rural community. This incident occurred amidst the nationwide protests, with young people in Maiduguri joining the protests against bad governance following the attacks.

Katsina State

Katsina’s government declared a 24-hour curfew in the Dutsin-Ma local government area, along with a daytime curfew across the state’s other 33 local government areas. The Acting Governor, Faruk Lawal, stated that this was necessary to protect lives and property due to reports of lawlessness linked to the nationwide protests. He reported incidents of shop breaking, looting, and vandalism.

Nasarawa

A nighttime curfew from 6 pm to 6 am was set in Karu local government area, with the local government chairman, James Thomas, stating that the curfew was necessary to restore calm after the protest turned violent in the area, resulting in destruction and vandalism in Mararraba, near Abuja.

Kano State

Kano, Nigeria’s second-largest state, saw significant protest turnout on the first day, prompting many businesses to close. Police response included firing live bullets and tear gas, and using hot water cannons to disperse crowds. A hospital official in Kano reported three fatalities and several injuries, alleging that security agents shot the deceased. 

Following these incidents, the Governor of Kano, Abba Kabir Yusuf, declared a 24-hour curfew to restore order and protect communities from the “rampant looting, destruction of property, and violence” caused by thugs.

Yobe State

In Yobe, a 24-hour curfew was imposed in Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru towns, where hoodlums vandalized and looted government and private properties. Seven mass transit vehicles were burnt in Potiskum during the protests. The state’s police spokesperson and the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security Matters urged residents to adhere to the curfew for peace to prevail.