Residents of Kaduna State on Thursday morning recounted their experiences after the state government reviewed the 24-hour curfew, which now runs from 6 pm to 8 am.
Several residents, who spoke to DAILYPOST correspondent in Kaduna, said the 24-hour lockdown served as a serious lesson, stressing the importance of imparting this knowledge to their children to prevent future occurrences.
DAILYPOST recalls that following the hunger protest, which was hijacked by criminals who destroyed government property and looted individual shops, the state government imposed a 24-hour curfew on Zaria and Kaduna.
The curfew lasted for two days. During this period, hunger worsened as businesses were paralysed and security operatives enforced the curfew.
On Tuesday night, the state government reviewed the curfew, allowing residents to search for means of livelihood.
Speaking to DAILY POST at the roadside of Kaduna Central Market on Thursday morning, Mrs Ruth Babale said she had to fast during the lockdown because she could not go out to provide for her five children.
She said, “Since the day of the lockdown, I had no food because I could no longer go out. I sell food ingredients in the early morning and use the money to buy food for the family.”
Mr Joseph, a vulcanizer, said he had no food during the lockdown.
“As a vulcanizer, I am paid daily for the work I do. Since the 24-hour curfew, the hunger surpassed even the Hunger Protest.” He prayed that such protests never happen again.
Mr Joseph Alibaba expressed gratitude to God and Governor Uba Sani for reviewing the curfew for the benefit of residents.
He said his wife went into labor early Wednesday morning, but he was afraid to take her to the hospital due to the lockdown. With the curfew review, he was able to take her to the hospital on Thursday morning.
Other residents shared similar experiences and vowed that such a situation would never repeat itself in the state.