Nigeria: Kaduna state government relaxes curfew October 31 /update 4

Event

Kaduna state government officials relaxed the nighttime curfew hours in Kaduna city on Wednesday, October 31, with residents of Kaduna city, Kajuru, Kasuwan Magani, and Kateri now only prohibited from engaging in public activities from 22:00 to 05:00 (local time) until further notice. Residents of Kachia local government area are subject to a nightly curfew from 17:00 to 06:00. Continuing transportation and business disruptions are to be expected in affected areas, as well as a heightened security presence, in the near term. Additional intercommunal clashes, violence between militants and security forces, and protests cannot be ruled out.

Context

The Kaduna state imposed an indefinite 24-hour curfew on October 21, in Kaduna city and its surroundings after intercommunal clashes in Kasuwan Magani (Kaduna State) killed 55 people on October 18. On October 25, the Kaduna state government relaxed a curfew in Kaduna city, and then reinstated a 24-hour curfew in Kaduna city, Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru, Kateri, and Kachia on October 26 in response to the death of a prominent leader of the Adara community who was kidnapped days before.

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, prepare for transportation and business disruptions, 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.