Dusk to Dawn Curfew Imposed On Lafia, Nasarawa, After Deadly Violence

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital, after deadly clashes broke out Monday with at least one death reported.

The curfew will be between the hours of 6p.m. and 6a.m., Yakubu Lamai, the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor told PREMIUM TIMES.

Fresh violence erupted in Lafia Monday as rival youth groups clashed. Earlier report said some youth went after residents who are of Eggon ethnic extraction.

The crisis grounded economic activities as shops owners closed for the day.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the youth were on revenge mission over the near invasion of the palace of the Emir of Lafia, Isah Mustapha Agwai I, by youth suspected to be Eggon on Sunday. That incident led to the death of two people.
Gunmen had on Sunday attacked Alakyo village, which is the ancestral home of the spiritual leader of Ombatse militia Lega Agu also known as Baba Alakyo.

Alakyo is the village were over 89 Nigerian security operatives were killed last year by the Ombatse militia group.
The spokesperson for the governor could not confirm reports that Baba Alakyo, the spiritual leader of Ombatse militia group, was killed during the invasion of the Alakyo village by gunmen.

Mr. Lamai said that the curfew will ensure that people do not leave their communities to attack others elsewhere.
“What we mean is that people can move in their own areas but should not cross over to other areas that are not theirs and this is only applicable to Lafia the state capital alone,” Mr. Lamai said.

Mr. Lamai also said that Al-Makura has gone round town to see for himself first-hand information of what happened after fresh fighting in Lafia on Monday morning.