A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed on Karu Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State following violent EndBadGovernance protests.
The government declared the curfew after incidents of destruction, looting, theft, highway blockades, and vandalism occurred during demonstrations in the Mararraba area, near the border between Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This decision mirrors actions taken in Kano, Borno, and Yobe states.
Danbaba Magaji, the media aide to the Karu LGA Chairman, announced this in a statement on Thursday. “The Executive Chairman of Karu Local Government Council, James Thomas, after due consideration, has imposed a curfew across Karu LGA from 6 pm to 6 am starting today until further notice,” the statement read.
Explaining the reason for the curfew, the authorities stated it “was imposed as a precautionary measure to ensure the full security of Karu LGA.” “The curfew will restrict the movement of people, Okada and Keke riders, all shop owners, and motorists in Karu LGA,” the statement added.
On Thursday, thousands of mostly young people took to the streets across Nigeria to protest against the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, prompting police to fire tear gas to disperse the crowds. Many businesses across the country closed amid fears the protests could resemble the deadly 2020 demonstrations against police brutality in Nigeria or the recent wave of violence in Kenya over tax hikes.
Carrying banners, bells, and Nigeria’s green-and-white flag, the protesters chanted songs and listed their demands, including the reinstatement of gas and electricity subsidies. The removal of these subsidies, part of the government’s reform efforts to grow the economy, has significantly increased the cost of living.
