Post-election fighting erupts in Kaduna, Kano, curfew imposed
Monday, 18 April 2011 From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna and Adamu Abuh, Kano News - National
FOLLOWING the presidential election results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which gave indication that President Goodluck Jonathan was leading the pack, violence on Sunday night broke out in Kaduna State, spreading to several areas by Monday morning.A good number of people had been reported killed and properties worth billions of naira destroyed in the impasse that has taken a religious dimension. Churches and mosques were also set ablaze within the metropolis.
Houses belonging to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains in Hayanbanki and Tudunwada were not not spared by the irate youths. The party's senatorial candidate for Kaduna Central and PTDF's former executive director, Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar and others were reported to have their homes torched.
To stem the tide, the Kaduna State government has imposed a 24-hour curfew across the state, instructing security agencies, including the military, to have it enforced.
Announcing the curfew through a live broadcast, Governor Patrick Yakowa Yakowa said that anyone caught violating the order would be decisively dealt with.
“Dear fellow citizens of Kaduna State, the presidential election has just been completed and results are currently being released on a state by state basis from INEC.
“Since last night, groups of people, for no justifiable reasons have resorted to acts of violence and wanton destruction of lives and properties of law abiding citizens in some parts of the state.
“This situation, if left unchecked could lead to total breakdown of law and order. This is generating tension in some parts of the state, and in order to contain these security challenges, and following the advice of the Security Council, I have found it necessary to immediately place a 24-hour curfew restricting all forms of movement across the state.
“The security agencies have been directed to enforce this decision in order to protect the lives and properties of all law-abiding citizens of our dear state.
“We have decided to adopt these measures in order to protect the lives and properties of all citizens of our dear state. I want to appeal to all the citizens of the state to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies in implementing this necessary but unfortunate decision.
“Finally, I appeal to the good people of Kaduna state to remain law abiding, calm and stay at home until normalcy returns,” Yakowa said in the broadcast.
Also in Kano, the orgy of violence has been witnessed resulting in the burning down of the residence of the Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Tijani Hashim, believed to be an associate of Vice President Namadi Sambo, by unidentified persons.
The arsonists, who took to the streets as early as 10 a.m on Monday when Jonathan’s victory became inevitable, were said to have burnt down the Dorayi palace of the Emir of Kano, Dr. Ado Bayero.
The Gandu Albasa home of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’Abba, and that of Alhaji Bako Saria, who were among those at the vanguard of the Jonathan's election project, were also torched.
Also the Bamaina Alminuim factory owned by Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa located in Sharada was also not spared by the attackers.
To avoid total breakdown of law and order, an indefinite curfew has also been imposed within the Kano metropolis.
The state Police Commissioner, DanAzumi Doma, said that the exercise will last until security situation is brought under control.
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