Adamawa citizens protest curfew review by government

From Umar Dankano, Yola

Citizens of Adamawa state have kicked against the imposition of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. curfew in the state by Government over the security situation.

A cross-section of the people who spoke on the development described the state government’s action as unfair and totally unnecessary.

According to one of them, Joseph Dauda, “This rush to impose curfew here and there is not solving anything; they are just punishing the helpless people. We have been under various kinds of curfews since the imposition of State of Emergency, with nothing positive to show for it. Madagali, Gulak Michika and now Mubi and Uba towns were taken by Boko haram in spite of the fact that the listed towns were under dusk to dawn curfew!

“Government should stop making things hard for us; if curfew is the only consolation the have to offer us, we say: No thanks”.

A’isha Usman, Bello Idris, Ladan Ibrahim and Istifanus Musa also condemned government over the curfew.

“Whenever they slam this curfew, what we always experienced are high cases of robbery and burglary of people shops; people were forced indoors while criminal walk freely, looting.

“You also need to know that many displaced persons from Mubi and other affected areas are trooping into Yola from Mubi; with this curfew, how do you expect them to do if they arrived late?”, Musa queried.

Adamawa state government, on Saturday announced 9p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, according to a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ibrahim Welye.

“Following the current security situation in the state, the Adamawa State Government has consequently reviewed the current curfew ( 11 p.m. to 5a.m.) in the state.

“The curfew will now commence from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. However, those on essential services and with permits will be allowed to continue to carry out their duties.

“All citizens and security operatives are please advised to comply with these directives”, the statement said.