Nigerian police impose curfew in Sokoto following protests by youths over murder of district head
The Sokoto State Police Command has imposed a curfew in Sabon Birni town, Sabon Birni Local Government Area, following violent protests by youths over the murder of Isa Muhammad Bawa, the District Head of Gatawa.
According to police spokesman ASP Ahmed Rufa’i, the curfew, which restricts movement from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., will remain in place until further notice to restore order in the area.
Protesters, numbering in the hundreds, took to the streets, setting bonfires on major roads, attacking the All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat, vandalizing a courtroom, and breaking into a local government store, destroying fertilizers.
Turakin Gobir, the son of the murdered District Head, informed Daily Trust that additional security personnel have been deployed to the area. He noted that despite this, gunshots were still heard throughout the day, and the protest was ongoing as of 8 p.m., indicating that the curfew had yet to take full effect.
Protesters are demanding a thorough investigation into the killing, insisting that those responsible be brought to justice. Aminu Yusuf, a protester, has called on the federal government to investigate the murder, suggesting possible political involvement.
In a recently released video, Kabiru Isa, the son of the slain district head, who was recently freed by his abductors, accused a State House of Assembly member of orchestrating the abduction.
On Thursday, youths in Sabon Birni Gobir Local Government Area staged a protest following Bawa’s kidnapping and brutal killing. A video shows the protesters marching towards the residence of the state’s deputy governor, Alhaji Idris Muhammad Gobir, burning tyres and other items along their route.
The demonstration reflects the deep anger among youths who are demanding justice for the slain traditional leader and immediate action from authorities to address the rising violence.
Alhaji Isa’s burial was conducted without his body present. He was abducted, tortured, and killed by terrorists on Wednesday. A distressing video had surfaced showing Bawa pleading for his life and urging government intervention before his death.
A Facebook user, Sarki Yaqi, explained that the burial was conducted according to Islamic guidelines, which allow for burial without the deceased’s physical presence if circumstances require.
