Nigeria: Curfew relaxed in Kaduna on October 25 /update 2

Event

On Thursday, October 25, the Kaduna state government relaxed a curfew in the town of Kaduna initially imposed on Sunday, October 21. Beginning on October 25, the curfew in the town will be in effect nightly from 17:00 to 06:00 (local time). Nevertheless, a 24-hour curfew remains in effect in Kabala West, Kabala Doki, Sabon-Tasha, Narayi, and Maraban Rido. According to local sources, the curfew in Kaduna was relaxed following a restoration of calm in the area. Normal business operations are expected to resume in the town. A continued heightened security presence is expected in the area in the coming days. Further violence cannot be ruled out.

Context

The Kaduna state imposed an indefinite 24-hour curfew in the town of Kaduna and its surroundings after intercommunal clashes that broke out in Kasuwan Magani (Kaduna State) on October 18, in which 55 people died.

Ethnic and sectarian clashes are common in Nigeria. Central Nigeria and adjacent areas have become the scene of almost daily clashes between farmers and the largely nomadic herders in a battle for land and resources. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom recently reported that murder rates linked to ethnic violence in Nigeria are higher than those related to terrorism - also a major security concern in the country. As many as ten people died in Kasuwan Magani following violent clashes between rival youth groups in February 2018.

Advice

Individuals in Kaduna state are advised to remain vigilant and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. The security environment in Nigeria is complex and is particularly concerning in the northeast and extreme south of the country due to the presence of armed groups, high crime rates, and the risk of kidnapping. Some Western governments consequently advise against travel to certain areas of the northeast (e.g. states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Jigawa, and Kano states) and the southern Niger Delta region (e.g. states of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers). It is also advisable to avoid nonessential travel to Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, and Kaduna states. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to these areas.