Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has announced a curfew in a bid to curb the growing insecurity in Minna, the state capital.
According to the governor, the movement of commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators is now restricted between 6pm and 6am.
Bago made the announcement during a critical stakeholders’ security meeting with traditional rulers and heads of security agencies at the Government House on Tuesday.
He revealed that the curfew would also restrict the movement of commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators between 6 pm and 6 am. However, he clarified that medical emergencies would be exempt from the curfew.
“The recent security challenges in the state capital have reached an alarming level, and we can no longer sit idly while criminals continue to terrorise innocent citizens. This curfew is part of the urgent steps we are taking to restore peace,” Bago said.
The governor also instructed district, village, and ward heads to ensure proper documentation of visitors within their domains. He warned that any house found harbouring suspected criminals or drug cartels would be demolished.
Minna has recently seen a disturbing rise in thuggery, attacks, and killings, leading to heightened fears among residents.
Governor Bago emphasised that the state government is committed to taking decisive actions to end the violence and restore safety to the city.
In another development, gunmen have killed six people and injured two others in a brutal attack at the Ilesha Baruba motor park in Baruten LGA of Kwara state.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, about ten armed men arrived the area on Monday evening and opened fire on residents relaxing at a nearby joint.
Sources said the assailants arrived suddenly and shot indiscriminately, causing panic and chaos.
Security agents later arrived at the scene, evacuated the corpses to the Ilesha Baruba morgue, and rushed the injured victims to a hospital for treatment.
Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, police spokesperson in Kwara confirming the development said investigations into the incident have begun.
“An investigation has been initiated, and full security measures have been implemented to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice,” she said.
“At about 2130hrs, suspected armed men, numbering ten, stormed the Ilesha Baruba Motor Park and opened fire indiscriminately at civilians gathered at a nearby relaxation spot.
“As a result, six persons—identified as Alhaji Ja’awire, AbdulJabar, Mohammed Nasamu, and three others—lost their lives, while two others sustained serious gunshot injuries.”
Ejire-Adeyemi also confirmed a separate incident in Kaiama LGA on Sunday, where a member of the vigilante group, Yusuf Samba, was killed during a shootout with suspected bandits in Kainji National Park. Three of the bandits were also gunned down.
“In the course of the gun duel, three of the suspected bandits suffered fatal gunshot wounds and a member of the vigilante, Yusuf Samba, was shot and later succumbed to the injury,” she said.
She added that an informant linked to the bandits has been arrested and is currently assisting with the ongoing investigation.
“The police assured residents that tactical teams and surveillance units have been deployed to affected areas, warning that “anyone aiding or abetting crime in any part of the state will face the full weight of the law”.
