National Niger government declares curfew in Paiko

Minna - The Niger Government has declared

curfew in Paiko Local Government Area of the

state following a violent clash between Hausa and

Gwari youths that left one person dead.

This is contained in a statement signed on

Saturday by Dr Ibraheem Dooba, Chief Press

Secretary to the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar

Bello.

"In view of the unfortunate violence in Paiko, the

Niger State Government has declared curfew in

Paiko town from 10 p.m to 4 a.m until further

notice."

"To keep the peace, the people are advised not to

violate the curfew, anybody who does would face

appropriate consequences for their infraction,"

the statement said.

The statement urged the citizens to be law

abiding, eschew violence and demonstrate the

abiding peace for which the state was known for.

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religious rift

The media check in Paiko on Saturday revealed

that aside the one person that was confirmed

dead, many people were injured as cars and

buildings were also destroyed.

The media gathered from a reliable source in

Paiko, who spoke on condition of anonymity, that

the fight was an aftermath of the battle over the

appointment of the deputy Imam for the Paiko

central mosque.

He told the media that the protest by a group

representing the Gwari community led to the

violent clash.

He, however, said in the ensued encounter one of

the boys lost his life.

The Niger Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),

Mr Bala Elkana, who confirmed the clash and

death of one person, told newsmen that it has

anything to do with the tussle over leadership of

the central mosque.

Elkana, however, said he was yet to get details of

the report from Paiko to enable him brief

newsmen properly.