Southern Kaduna: Govt relaxes curfew in Zango-Kataf

The 24-hour curfew imposed on Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has been relaxed.

A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Mr Samuel Aruwan, on Saturday, explained that the curfew was now in effect only between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. every day.

According to the statement, the State Security Council took the decision to relax the curfew following a review of the situation in Zangon-Kataf LGA.

‘The Council, in taking the decision, said it was imperative that everyone in the area discharges their duty to uphold peace, and firmly resist those who might wish to sabotage the gains being made in restoring normalcy” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the  Chief Executive Officer of Chocolate City, Audu Maikori, has apologised to the College of Education, Gidan Waya over his recent tweet that five students of the school were killed by Fulani herdsmen.

In a statement in Kaduna, Maikori also apologised to the state government, the people of southern Kaduna and the Fulani community, for what he described as a false statement by his driver.

He urged the people to be peaceful and commended the government on the recent arrests of some suspects over the crisis in southern Kaduna.

“Following this, I decided that the right thing to do was to issue a statement retracting the tweet which reported the killings of students of the College of Education as relayed to me by my driver and I naively assumed that no one in his right mind would lie about the death of a human being especially if that person was/is his younger brother.

‘Consequently, I hereby tender an unreserved and sincere apology to the Management of the College of Education, Gidan Waya, His Excellency the Governor of Kaduna State and the Kaduna State Government, and also to the people of Southern Kaduna and the Fulani community for the false statement by my driver which I also publicized believing same to be true.

‘I make this statement with all sense of responsibility realizing that by openly admitting what transpired, people may begin to doubt my credibility and that of my statements in future… this is a risk I am willing to take but I would rather tell the truth about the situation that suppress it.

‘This fact is made even more imperative because I understand that as a leader in my community my statements are taken seriously and can shape the minds of the younger ones that look up to us for direction. We must show the direction honestly and with integrity.

‘I must also seize this opportunity to plead with my brothers in Kaduna  regardless of ethnic or religious persuasion that the time to unite and fight for peace is now. This unfortunate situation is now actively being used by politicians, religious leaders and opportunists to forge their personal agendas to the detriment of the peace and stability of the state,

‘Please note that in issuing my apology I am referring specifically to the Collge of Education matter only. Yesterday the 2nd of February my heart was gladdened when I read the report that 17 suspects with arms and ammunition were arrested in connection with the Southern Kaduna killings by the Security agents and will be prosecuted. This is what we have been agitating for and I commend that government on these arrests as well as many more in the future.

‘As I speak my former driver Simon is in police custody and has made a statement attesting to the above. He is available to help the authorities any further investigations.