Baba Negedu 
The Kaduna State Government yesterday imposed a 24-hour curfew in Kaduna and Zaria after violent mobs took advantage of the protests against hunger and bad governance to loot public and private property.
The ‘protesters’ regrouped in the early hours after a three-day calm and went about a looting spree and also vandalising private and public property.
They marched on the major streets of Kaduna and Zaria chanting anti-government slogans and waving the Russian flag. After security officials dispersed the demonstrators at NEPA Roundabout in the Kaduna metropolis, some of them looted public and private property.
In Zaria, the youths, who converged on Kofar Doka, vandalised a bridge under construction and carted away the supporting wood being used for construction works. At Dogarawa, the hoodlums attempted to set ablaze the Sabon Gari Local Government Area secretariat under reconstruction but were dispersed with teargas by police.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the protests had been hijacked by criminals. According to him, Governor Uba Sani imposed the curfew after the state’s Security Council reviewed the security situation in the state.
The commissioner said: “There is sufficient evidence to clearly indicate that the ongoing protest has been hijacked by criminal elements who have resorted to looting of shops and destruction of private and public property.
“In view of this unfortunate development, the Kaduna State Security Council unanimously resolved to impose a 24-hour curfew in the Kaduna and Zaria metropolises and their environs with immediate effect.
“Citizens are advised to remain indoors while security forces continue to work to maintain safety and security. “Monitoring will be sustained for review of the curfew as required.”
