Following the threatening insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, the executive Chairman, Karu local government area of Nasarawa State, James Thomas, has on Tuesday announced down to dusk curfew in the area.
According to him, the curfew is to commence on Thursday this week from 10 pm to 6 am.
He said the curfew is to restrict all forms of movement of vehicles, closure of all cinemas, bars, and joints, and all other activities in Karu LGA as measures of ensuring the activities of unscrupulous elements are checked.
The chairman made the decision of the council known while interracting with journalists at the council’s secretariat through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, and publicity, Mr. Danbaba Magaji.
He explained that the measure became imperative for the council to take a holistic approach towards checkmating the security threat in the area.
In his words, “Though we are enjoying relative peace in Karu LGA, proactive measures must be taken to avert spill over of the security situation in the FCT, because of our proximity to Abuja.”
The chairman further explained that the Council took the measure to impose the curfew in the area following a peace and security meeting that reviewed the security situation with all security agencies in the area, stressing that the curfew is expected to take effect from Thursday, August 11, 2022, expanding from 10 pm to 6 am till further notice.
A cross sections of Traders interviewed at Ado junction, New Nyanya, and One Man village described the curfew as a welcome development, but however, lamented that it would affects Business especially Hotels, and other recreational centre, who operates within the period of the said curfew.
Ms Doofan Nenegan who runs a restaurant at Karu LG. secretariat junction, said “It is a good decision, but it will affects our Business here. That 10 pm for the starting of the curfew is the pick period of our Business. I have no choice than to obey the law until normalcy returns to the area.
Another Trader who owns a Club and Bet-Naija in Aso Pada, Mararaba, mr. Gaius Igwe, said” Actually, it is not going to be easy with us, as you see this shop, we operates sometimes till 1 am before we close. As the situation is now, we have no option than to strictly adhere to the law.
In this same vien, Mallam Adamu, a local meat seller known as “mai suya”, said “If all these restaurants and Hotels, close business at that hour of the curfew, then we also will close as well, because we depend on their guests for patronage. If the chairman can reverse it to 12 am to 6 am, it will help us to sell, but if it is not safe base on the current security reports at hand, then, let the law stand and for me, I am ready to comply”