The Zamfara state government has imposed a curfew on the troubled Jangebe town, following civil unrest after the return of the 279 abducted schoolgirls.
Reports said one person was shot by security operatives who allegedly opened fire after an angry mob kicked against the insistence on a formal handover before parents could leave with the released girls.
The government through a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information, Sulaiman Tunau Anka, said the decision was taken so as to prevent any further breach of peace.
“Similarly, there is strong evidence of market activities in the town that aid and abet bandits’ activities in the town and neighbouring communities.
“Consequently, all market activities in the town are hereby suspended until further notice,’’ said the statement. “The state government is poised to ensure the safety of lives and properties of its citizens at all cost.’’
The government requested the Zamfara State Police Command to ensure total enforcement of the curfew.
Governor Bello Matawalle has also disclosed that the kidnappers of the schoolgirls are of Hausa and Fulani ethnicity, citing the rescued schoolgirls.
Matawalle said this in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday.
“They say most of them are Hausa and some of them are Fulani. In fact, they even asked the school children to pray for them. So, they say they are of different entities contrary to the thought that they are all Fulani.
“Some reporters have interviewed some of the girls who have identified some of these guys (kidnappers). In fact, one of the girls told us that she knows one of them who is Hausa, and used to come to Jangebe market. She promised that any time he comes to Jangebe market she will be able to identify him and point him out to the security.”
