The Kaduna State Government has announced the imposition of a 24-hour curfew on Kajuru Local Government Area and two communities in Chikun LGA of the state.

A short statement issued by the spokesman for the Kaduna State Government, Samuel Aruwan, quotes the state Deputy Governor, Bala Bantex, as directing vigorous enforcement of the curfew and also urging citizens to comply and support peace efforts in the community.

Kajuru local government area has been in the news in the last two years for the wrong reasons, especially due to incessant conflicts that have claimed several lives and property worth millions of Naira.

The State Government later said on Friday that the curfew has been extended to include two communities in Chikun LGA. This was contained in a statement by the Government Spokesman, Samuel Aruwan made available to newsmen in Kaduna.

According to the statement, consequent to this review, the government has decided as a preventive measure, to reinstate a dusk to dawn curfew in Kujama and Maraban Rido communities of Chikun Local Government area until further notice. “This will be effective today, Friday, April 26. The curfew will be enforced from 6pm to 6am daily in Kujama and Maraban Rido.

“The residents of these communities are advised to support and cooperate with the security agencies as they uphold peace and security,” it said.

It was gathered that trouble started when the body of a Hausa boy was found in a well.

In reprisal, some Hausa boys allegedly attacked Adara boys in the area.

The two Adara boys, according to a source, were coming from the market when they were attacked and beaten by some Hausa boys.

One of them was rushed to the St. Gerard Catholic Hospital where he died on Friday morning.

The source said: “Two of our boys were coming from a local market in the evening on Thursday and decided to follow the bypass.

“They were attacked and thoroughly beaten by some Hausa boys. One of them was taken to St. Gerald Hospital where he later died as a result of the beating.”

The incident sparked apprehension, forcing the deployment of security operatives in the troubled community.

Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Abdulrahman, told reporters more personnel have been deployed to the area to enforce the curfew and maintain peace in the area.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government, Cafra Caino, said the situation had been brought under control.

He said the curfew imposed on the area by the state government was to avert further violence.

“Yesterday there was tension and security personnel were deployed and the whole area was cordoned,” the chairman added (Channels TV/The Nation)