Niger imposes 24-hour curfew on Kagara Town
Following the invasion of Kagara town, the headquarters of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State and the ransacking of the Emir’s palace in the town last Tuesday evening, the state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the town.
Only those on essential duties are allowed to move around during the period of the curfew.
The state Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the latest development in a telephone interview yesterday, adding however that normalcy has returned to the troubled community.
He said armed soldiers, policemen and men of the local vigilance group are now patrolling the town to ensure peace in the state.
During the invasion, Abiodun said the bandits in their numbers were repelled when they wanted to attack the police station in Kagara town, adding that it was their inability to raid the station that the hoodlums ransacked the emir’s palace and the security camp in the town.
The PPRO confirmed that two persons lost their lives as a result of injuries sustained during gun battle, while three others were injured and have been hospitalised.
The police spokesman also stated that some people were kidnapped but did not know how many they were.
It was learnt that the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmad Garba Gunna, was in Minna to attend an official function when the bandits struck part of his clan.
Investigations revealed that both the Emir and the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Monday Bala Kuryas, were in the town last Wednesday to access the situation.
A source close to the trip not covered by the media said not less than 400 expended bullets were picked from various spots in the town while several vehicles, including a police Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) were destroyed.
The Emir’s personal residence in the palace was said to have been spared by the bandits who were said to be over 300.
The bandits reportedly attacked the town in two groups and caught the security operatives unaware, it was learnt.
(THISDAY)
