Police foil fresh crisis in Kaduna •Residents groan under curfew, call for review •Yobe relaxes curfew •Security tightened in Kogi

AS youths in Kujama near Kaduna defied the curfew order in Kaduna State and took arms against one other, the police have reinforced security in that part of the state, even as the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar, said nine people were arrested in connection to the crisis in the state.
Already, more riot policemen from Abuja, Jigawa and Abia states have arrived in Kaduna and were mobilised to Kujama and the few remaining trouble spots in the state. The renewed hostilities in Kujama were as a result of the action of some Christian youths who molested a Muslim girl and tore her hijab. The conflict which lasted till Thursday morning left several people dead and many injured. At an emergency meeting of emirs and chiefs at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, the Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris, appealed for calm and called on parents to prevail on their children to embrace peace. The Police Public Relations Officer for the Kaduna State Police Command, DRP Aminu Lawan, however, assured that peace and orderliness were gradually returning and urged members of the public to desist from spreading rumours.
The leadership of JNI and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also reiterated the need to sheathe the sword and remain peaceful.
Meanwhile, the governor of Kaduna State, Mr Patrick Yakowa, has once again commiserated with all those affected in the crises of the past few days in the state.
In a message by the governor's aide on Media and Publicity, Reuben Buhari, the governor said while sharing in people's grief, "it’s, however, important to inform the whole state that the 24 hours curfew earlier imposed in the state is still in force and security agencies have been asked to ensure its full compliance.
"As distasteful as the imposition of the 24 hours curfew is, the good citizens of Kaduna State should understand that the measure became necessary for the good of the state and the benefit of its citizens.
"People are expected to cooperate fully with security agencies who are saddled with the task of restoring full peace and order in our state."
The governor further called on people to absolutely disregard all mischievous text messages and rumours being spread on impending crisis or attacks. "All these rumours are meant to further throw the state into chaos. His Excellency also calls on all the inhabitants of Kaduna State to show love to one another, regardless of religious or ethnic differences," the statement said.
Meanwhile, as the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state entered its fifth day, residents, on Thursday, appealed to the state government for a review, to enable them to restock.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that most residents in the state capital had exhausted their foodstuffs, as provision stores were also experiencing low stock.
NAN also reported that markets, banks and other business premises had remained closed, while restaurants and other food joints had also closed shops due to the curfew.
NAN also reported that the state water board was providing skeletal services, due to erratic power supply which affected water treatment process.
Meanwhile, more security operatives have been drafted to the streets to ensure strict compliance with the curfew.

Yobe govt relaxes curfew
Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has approved the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew imposed on Tuesday, as a result of violence that erupted on Monday evening.
Consequently, a press statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s special adviser on media and information, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, said public movement within Damaturu metropolis was now allowed between 10.00 a.m and 4.00 p.m daily.
Bego, in the statement, also advised members of the public to remain in their homes from 4.00 p.m till 10.00 a.m daily, as restriction on public movement in other parts of the state remained from 10.00 p.m till 6.00 p.m daily, while restriction of movement in Potiskum town remained between 6.00 p.m and 6.00 a.m daily.
The decision, according to Bego, was taken following a meeting that the governor had with heads of law enforcement agencies in the state.
Gaidam, therefore, urged the public that the task of ensuring and maintaining security was not just for the security agents alone, but for every law abiding citizens.

Soldiers, policemen on patrol in Kogi
In Kogi State, fully armed combat military men and members of the mobile policemen have commenced street patrol in Lokoja, the state capital.
The combat military men and mobile policemen criss-cross all the major roads in the state, particularly the one that linked the South and the North.
The state Police Public Relations officer, while reacting to the deployment of the security agents, noted that it was to assure the public that security agencies were fully on the ground to face any security challenges in the state.