Ndubuisi Ugah 
Three states, Kano, Jigawa and Yobe, yesterday relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on their respective states following the violent dimensions the #Endbadgovernance protests assumed.
For instance, Kano State Government said the curfew in the state was now from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Malam Baba Dantiye, announced this in a broadcast in Kano. He said the curfew was adjusted to restore normalcy in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government imposed a 24-hour curfew across the state for safety during the ongoing nationwide protest. Dantiye said Governor Abba Yusuf expressed condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones and property during the protest that turned violent.
He also said the governor urged the residents in the state to return to their various homes by 2 p.m., assuring them that the curfew would be reviewed “as the security situation improves”.
He said that the governor also appealed to the residents in the state to continue to pray for peace, progress and political stability in the state and the nation.
According to the broadcast, the relaxation of the curfew is a step towards restoring normalcy. In Jigawa State, the state government said it had relaxed the curfew in eight local government areas imposed sequel to the disturbances during the nationwide protest.
The government also lifted the curfew in 19 other local government areas after a review of the security situation in the state. The NAN reports that Governor Umar Namadi had on Thursday imposed a 24-hour curfew following vandalism and looting of public and private properties during the protest.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Sagir Musa, in Dutse, said the curfew has been relaxed in Babura; Birnin Kudu, Dutse, Gumel, Hadejia, Kazaure, Kiyawa and Roni. The statement reads: “Its been relaxed henceforth from 6:00 pm to 5am from Sunday August 4, 2024, pending when the security situation further improves.
“The State Joint Security Committee has also lifted the curfew in 19 LGAs of the state where there was no report of any violence during the protest.” Sagir said the committee commended residents in the 19 LGAs for showing patriotism, respect for the constituted authorities, and cooperation with security agencies during the protest.
While urging the residents to pray for peace and stability in the country, Namadi lauded security agencies for professionalism, commitments and dedication during the protest.
Meanwhile, Yobe State Government yesterday said Governor Mai Mala Buni had approved a review in the curfew imposed on the three towns by five hours.
This, according to the state government, followed a considerable improvement in the security situation in Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru and Yobe.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Security Matters, Retired Brig.- Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam, made this known in a statement in Damaturu.
He said: “The curfew is now relaxed from noon to 5pm to enable people to undertake lawful activities with effect from Sunday.” While commending security agencies for their efforts in restoring peace to the area, the governor urged them to remain vigilant and prevent any breakdown of law and order during the relaxed curfew hours.
