The Sokoto State Police Command has announced a curfew in Sabon Birni town, following intense protests by local youths over the recent murder of the District Head of Gatawa, Isa Muhammad Bawa.
The curfew, which restricts movement between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., was implemented to restore order and address the escalating violence in the area.
On Thursday, violent protests erupted in Sabon Birni after the killing of Isa Muhammad Bawa.
The district head was reportedly shot dead by bandits at Unguwar Magro Village.
In the aftermath, the town saw a surge in unrest, with hundreds of youths taking to the streets, blocking roads, setting bonfires, and attacking local government buildings.
The protesters targeted several key locations, including the Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a courtroom.
They also broke into and vandalized the local government store, destroying valuable fertilizers. The unrest caused significant disruption and prompted the police to intervene with the curfew.
ASP Ahmed Rufa’i, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, confirmed the imposition of the curfew to manage the situation and restore peace.
“The curfew is crucial to preventing further violence and ensuring that the situation is brought under control,” Rufa’i stated.
He urged residents to comply with the restrictions to aid the security forces in their efforts.
The imposition of the curfew has been met with mixed reactions. Turakin Gobir, the son of the slain district head, reported that despite the curfew, the protests continued into the evening.
“We have been hearing gunshots since morning. The protest is still ongoing as of 8 p.m., indicating that the curfew has not yet taken full effect,” Gobir said.
In addition, Kabiru Isa, the son of the murdered district head, who was recently released after being abducted by the same bandits, accused a member of the State House of Assembly of complicity in the abduction.
