BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal today (Monday) relaxed the 24-hour curfew declared in Sokoto as a measure to forestall breakdown of law and order following the uproar that greeted the gruesome murder of Miss Deborah last week.
Deborah, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) was murdered and set ablaze on allegation of blasphemy.
Following the development, two persons were said to have been arrested by the security agencies in relation with the crime.
Unhappy with the arrest, some youths in the state insisted that the suspects be released unconditionally and started a protest demanding their release which turned violent.
The protest was severe, and hoodlums took advantage of it to attack worship places, shops of innocent traders and loot and destroy property amongst others.
Worried by the protest and the possibility of its escalation, and in a bid to curtail its further spread, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal promptly imposed a 24-hour curfew in the State on Saturday, 14th May, 2022.
Reviewing the curfew today, Monday, May 16, 2022, Governor Tambuwal ordered that the curfew be relaxed to 6pm to 6am pending further review.
A statement by the State Commissioner of Finance, Isah Bajini Galadanci said the relaxation was aimed at allowing people the opportunity to pursue their legitimate businesses.
The statement read in part, “Sequel to the briefing by the Security Heads in the State, the State Governor, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, (Mutawallen Sokoto) has ordered the relaxation of the 24 hour curfew in force in Sokoto metropolis.
“The revised curfew will now be from dusk to dawn in Sokoto township. This is with a view to afford people the window to pursue their legitimate businesses and other means of livelihood.
“The Government, however, advised people to maintain peace in this regard, as it will not condone any breach of law and order in the State”.
