Nigeria Protests: Jigawa, Kano Defy Curfew Returns To Street 

Nigeria Protests Day 2:

Defying the Curfew

(iexclusivenews) – Despite a 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government, hundreds of youths in Dutse, Jigawa State, continued their protest against economic hardship for a second consecutive day.

Undeterred by the heavy security presence, the demonstrators clashed with security agencies around Zai, who blocked their access to commercial areas and major buildings.

In Zai Quarters, thousands of youths, chanting anti-government slogans, resisted tear gas used by security forces to disperse them.

Similar scenes unfolded in Shuwarin, on the outskirts of Dutse, where protesters regrouped and resumed their demonstrations.

Heavy security forces blocked their attempts to enter the capital, using tear gas to disperse the crowds. Eyewitnesses confirmed that several youths, including minors, were arrested on Friday.

Relative Calm in Gumel

Governor Namadi’s Response

In Gumel town, the situation remained relatively calm as security agents blocked major roads to prevent regrouping.

However, the limited number of operatives struggled to control the crowd for long periods.

Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi declared a 24-hour indefinite curfew following the escalation of violence during the nationwide protests on Thursday.

In a personal announcement, Governor Namadi justified the curfew by stating that Jigawa is a Muslim-majority state, where protests are deemed un-Islamic and contrary to local culture and tradition.

He emphasized that Muslims believe only Allah has the power to cause hardship, implying that human actions, such as protests, are ineffective in addressing grievances.

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Governor Namadi’s Statement

Governor Namadi stated, “Today we woke up to a serious protest. That is not part of our culture and tradition. We feel that this protest will not solve what people are demanding and asking for. We are all Muslims and we believe nobody in this world can put hardship on us except Allah, and it is only Allah that rescues us from hardship. Therefore, protest is not a solution and should not be a solution. We realized how people use small boys to achieve their objective of vandalizing and stealing people’s property. This is not part of our culture and tradition. Therefore, we as a government, will not allow this thing to continue unabated, and as a result, from now on, we are introducing a 24-hour curfew in Jigawa State. This curfew will continue until we have reviewed the situation with the security agencies and feel like it is time to relax it. For the sake of Friday, we are relaxing the curfew from 12 pm to 2:30 pm to allow people to go to the Mosques and pray for the state and the nation. After 2:30 pm, the curfew will continue. We pray that people will obey this curfew and ensure that they stay at home and observe the curfew”.

Protests in Kano:

Governor Yusuf’s Curfew Imposition

Similarly, protesters in Kano’s Minjibir Local Government Area defied a 24-hour curfew to voice their discontent.

They marched through the local government headquarters, holding placards with various messages about the country’s hardships.

Resident Tasiu Minjibir reported that the demonstration was peaceful, with protesters calling for the reversal of the fuel subsidy removal.

Governor Abba Yusuf imposed the curfew on Thursday evening after hoodlums armed with weapons disrupted an earlier protest.

During a press conference at the Government House, Governor Yusuf explained,

“After careful consideration, we have decided on a 24-hour curfew to prevent looting, vandalism, and the killing of innocent citizens.”

He instructed all security agencies to enforce the curfew fully, aiming to restore peace and order in the state.