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Gov. Tambuwal imposes 24 hours curfew on Sokoto as Sultan’s Palace comes under siege

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By Aluta News

May 14, 2022

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state on Saturday impoed 24 hours curfew to contain the rising protests across township streets over alleged religious blasphemy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tambuwal, in a broadcast, called on the  people to remain indoor as security operatives were being deployed to safeguard lives and properties.

The protests were caused by an alleged religious blasphemy made by a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, against Islamic religion through a social media channel.

The student, Deborah Yakubu, was killed in a mob outrage during students’ unrest, but the  state government immediately closed down the school while police announced the arrest of two persons in connection with the incident.

” By the powers conferred on me by sections 176(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and sections 1 and 4 of the Public Order Act; and, also Section 15 of Sokoto State Peace Preservation Law, I hereby declare, with immediate effect, a curfew within (Sokoto) metropolis for the next 24 hours,” Tambuwal declared.

He further appealed to the people of the state to kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down the restiveness currently pervading in the metropolis.

” Everyone should please, in the interest of peace, go back home and observe this measures, to reestablish peace, law and order in the state.

” It is not in the interest of anyone for us to have a breakdown of law and order. I, therefore, appeal for restraint and, for people to observe and respect the rule of law .”

See also  Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa on Sunday declared a 24-hour curfew on the state with immediate effect. The governor made the declaration in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou in Yola. The curfew followed wide scale looting and attacks on citizens by hoodlums. According him, the situation has assumed dangerous dimension as hoodlums in Yola attack people with machetes, broke into business premises and homes carting away property. “With the curfew imposed, there will be no movement throughout the state. “Only those on essential duties with valid identification would be permitted to move around during the period of the curfew,” he added. Fintiri appealed to law abiding residents to comply with the directive, warning that anyone caught contravening the order would be arrested and prosecuted. (NAN

A NAN Correspondent who went round the streets reports that groups of youths have taken over the streets, chanting songs and urging security agents to release the arrested persons.

The protesters burnt tyres on popular Ahmadu Bello Way, Emir Yahaya road, Kanwuri and other streets, forcing shop owners to close midday while most streets became empty.

The Sultan of Sokoto’s Palace was under siege by the youth.

A combined team of security men, led by State’s Police Commissioner, Mr Kamaludden Okunlola, however, deployed to the palace while protesters threw stones and attempted to burn the palace.

All the religious centres were also under tight security.

Gov. Tambuwal had held meetings with security chiefs, leader of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Nuhu Iliya and Islamic religion leaders on Thursday, to prevent the situation from escalation.

NAN

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