Kaduna tense as residents observe curfew

The mood in Kaduna has remained tensed as residents observe the 24 hour curfew imposed on the metropolis and surrounding local governments.

Major streets in the metropolis and its environs have remained deserted with only a few venturing into the streets to ascertain what is going on.

Our correspondent who went round the Narayi area observed people sitting in front of their houses discussing the security situation in the area.

The usually busy Sabon Tasha area was deserted as the streets were empty and devoid of the usual vehicle and human traffic.

Residents of Narayi woke up to the gory report that three youths in the area were killed by unidentified gun men in uniform.

Residents say the attackers came in military uniform very early in the morning and shot a group of young men who were guarding the area.

A resident who identified himself as Ephraim said he heard gun shots very early in the morning.

“They came in Keke NAPEP during the curfew and they just opened fire on the young men who were holding sticks to guard the area and they turned and ran away.”

“Nobody could pursue them because they were shooting,” he said.

Remains of the three young men were buried in the morning at the Narayi cemetery.

Our corespondent learnt that a small crowd gathered to observe the final rites amidst weeping by their relatives.

“Many of us from this (Narayi) area attended the burial to see what happened and I can tell you that people were not happy.”

“The burial has to go on like that even without security because nobody is sure what would happen next,” another resident said.

Our corespondent observed that people kept sending messages to their friends and relatives to remain indoors saying silent killing were still going on.

Governor El-Rufai went round the affected areas and also visited those injured during the crisis at St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kakuri and the Barau Dikko Specialists Hospital.

The governor was accompanied by top government functionaries while a meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council was ongoing at the time of filing this report.