Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has completely shut down Kano, by imposing a 24-hour curfew throughout the state, with immediate effect.
A statement today, August 1, by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said that the decision to impose curfew was taken after an Emergency State Security Council meeting dedicated to addressing the escalating violence and disruptions that have emerged amid civil demonstrations.
Yesterday, July 31, the governor convened a town hall meeting with various stakeholders, including religious leaders, business representatives, traditional leaders, academia, technocrats, youth and women’s groups, and civil society organizations.
During the meeting, the governor recognized the constitutional right of citizens to peacefully protest and expressed a commitment to addressing their concerns, assuring that their grievances would be forwarded to the President and Commander in Chief for consideration.
This morning, the representatives of the peaceful protesters submitted their demands in writing, which the governor pledged to deliver to the President.
While he commended the majority of demonstrators who voiced their concerns responsibly, he expressed his disappointment that the protest had been hijacked by thugs and hoodlums who engaged in rampant looting, destruction of property, and violence against innocent citizens.
The governor emphasized that such actions, fueled by antagonistic elements, threaten the safety and security of all citizens and must be addressed vigorously.
To safeguard lives and preserve public and private property, the decision to implement a curfew was made unanimously during the emergency meeting.
“The imposition of this curfew is a necessary measure to restore order and ensure the safety of our communities.
“It is paramount that we protect our citizens from further harm and preserve the sanctity of our state’s institutions and businesses.”
The governor called on all citizens to remain vigilant and united during this challenging time.
“Let us not allow the actions of a few selfish individuals to divide us.
“Together, we can navigate these challenges and fortify our resolve to build a stronger, more resilient Kano State.”
All security agencies in the state have been directed to ensure full compliance with the curfew, and citizens are urged to heed this directive for their safety and the well-being of all.
This is coming even as Yobe governmebt also imposed 24-hour curfew in three Local Government Areas of the State.
In Dutse, capital of Jigawa State, protesters set the headquarters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ablaze in the process of violent protest.
Report reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that one person was killed in Kaduna State and three in Niger State in the protest today.

Confusion is building in Kano as some of the protesters partaking in the hunger protest against hardship burn tyres, making bonfire in front of Government House, Kano.
Panicked, the police officers opened fire and teargas, leading to the crowd dispersing in various directions.
Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that the protesters from different parts of the metropolis had converged on the Government House, where Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was to address them.
It was learnt that some of them assembled tyres and set them ablaze as they were approaching the gate of the Government House.
This made security operatives at Government House to fire gunshots and teargas to disperse the protesters.
It was learnt that the crowd fled towards different direction in the ensuing confusion.
Also in Abuja, oolice operatives three teargas cannisters at protesters at the Federal Secretariat.
The protesters had gathered in the area against the counsel of the police who asked that the processions be held around the M.K.O Abiola Stadium in the nation’s capital.
Passers-by scampered for safety as the police released the teargas cannisters to disperse the protesters, who insisted on carrying out the protests in the area.
The FCT Police commissioner, Benneth Igwe and a team of operatives were sighted around the area before the teargas cannisters were released.
The police boss had earlier addressed the media warning that there will be consequences if the protesters don’t move to the stadium area for their processions.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike has tendered an exhibit from the “Take it Back Movement, FCT”, signed by one Damilare Adenola, in which they threatened to invade the Presidential Villa and also threatened to pull down the outer wires facing the Aso Rock villa during the protest, scheduled to begin tomorrow, August 1.
He said that the protesters demanded that the FCT should provide them with light as well as toilets during the duration of the protest.
These were the evidences which the minister presented before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of an Abuja high Court, which today, July 31, gave a ruling, restricting the protesters to the MKO Abiola stadium, also known as the National Stadium, Abuja.
In an ex parte application argued by Chief Ogwu James Onoja, the FCT Minister had applied for an order of interim injunction restraining the five leaders of the protesting groups from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, streets, offices and public premises within the FCT between August 1 and 10, or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
He also applied for another order of interim injunction mandating the security agencies to prevent the protesting leaders from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, office or public premises within the FCT between August 1 and 10, pending the hearing of his motion on notice.
The minister, who said that the federal government was not averse to the protest, claimed that intelligence and security reports reaching him indicated that some elements within the leadership of the protesters intend to capitalise on the planned protest to cause havoc and irreparable damage to public facilities and block roadways to prevent movement of persons and vehicles and disturb public peace.
He said that when he contacted the security agencies to ensure that the planned protest did not degenerate into criminality and disturbance of public peace and order, he was told that they are not well equipped to manage any crisis that may arise from the planned protest at short notice; hence, they advised him that prevention is better than cure.
In his ruling, Justice Oriji said that he recognised the rights of the protesters to embark on the protest, but restricted them to the stadium because of the genuine fears expressed by the minister.
“In the light of the above, the court considers it appropriate and expedient to grant an order under the omnibus or general prayer to ensure that the rights of the protesters are guaranteed and that the protest does not negatively or adversely affect the rights of other citizens to move about and to ensure that properties and other public facilities are not destroyed.”
The judge ordered the 1st to 5th respondents to “use the Moshood Abiola Stadium” only for the protest.
This was even as the court ordered the service of processes in the suit as well as the confinement order on the respondents by placing the same in the newspapers.
Defendants in the suit are Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, persons unknown, Inspector General IG of Police, Commissioner of Police, Director General of the State Security Service, Director General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Naval Staff as 1st to 12th respondents.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has assured stakeholders that the investigation of the Commission’s Chairman, Jalal Arabi for interrogation, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) does not amount to indictment.
In a statement today, July 31, by its spokesperson, Fatima Sanda Usara, NAHCON insisted that investigation being conducted by the anti graft agency “is not an indictment. “NAHCON will continue to cooperate fully with any investigative body during this process.
“NAHCON is immensely grateful for the outpouring of support and understanding from well-wishers towards its Chairman. As an organization, Hajj Commission remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity and ethics in its dealings.
“Pilgrims have always been at the heart of our engagements, and we are committed to maintaining the trust and confidence that government placed in the Commission.”
The statement confirmed that the NAHCON chairman, Jalal Ahmed Arabi was invited yesterday, 30th July for questioning surrounding conduct of 2024 Hajj.
It said that while this situation might have caused some concerns among friends and well-wishers, the Commission would like to reassure its stakeholders that the invitation was a normal process of safeguarding public interest
NAHCON expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its unwavering resolve to entrench accountability in the system.
“Similarly, NAHCON commends the EFCC’s strong commitment in safeguarding public funds through ethical practices and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
“NAHCON will continue to cooperate with all institutions tasked with the responsibility of sanitizing public service for more efficient services.
“Be rest assured that this matter will be resolved promptly and that our adherence to transparency, lawful and ethical standards will be reaffirmed.”

“Those who use our work online; call them Google, call them Facebook, call them Instagram; those who use our work must pay for it. If we get payment for the work we do every day as journalists, we will be in a far better place.
“That is our first survival instinct that we must do either as a group, led by the NGE, or working with the government to ensure that our intellectual properties; what we do every day that is shared everyday on social media is paid for. That is the first step.”
This was the submission of the Chairman of Arise News, ThisDay Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena at the 2nd Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), today, July 30, in Lagos.
Nduka Obaigbena called on the federal government to come up with a law that would protect the use of intellectual properties of the media industry.
Speaking on the theme “Rapidly Changing Media Landscape: Media Survival Strategies,” Obaigbena said that the media should find ways to survive in the face of changing technological advancement.
According to him, one of the ways to ensure that the media survives in Nigeria is to ensure that intellectual properties (IP) of journalists are protected through legislations and they should be ready for the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“First is to have the laws changed, where intellectual property is recognized as an asset; we have to enable the IP, the work of your brain as an asset class, that asset class can be bankable, so you can raise money against it, and you can create value.
He called on the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris and Lai Mohammed, the immediate past minister of information to ensure that they pass a law that those who use media properties online are made to pay.
“The next step is to be prepared for AI, promote education, ensure good governance and all that.”
Obegbina advised journalists to engage the young generation audience in ensuring the survival of the media.
This was even as the founder of journalism clinic, Taiwo Obey, urged journalists to put context into news stories as well as meet their audience by finding out what they want and giving it to them in a way that they enjoy it.
Obey said that AI should not be seen as a threat, but an advancement that journalist must take advantage of.
Similarly, Kayode Akomolafe called for introspection on the part of journalists to ensure that their survival is guaranteed instead of engaging in a blame game.
He also called on journalist to build on their credibility as a means of staying relevant.
In her contribution, a former President of the NGE, Funke Egbemode, said that media houses would continue to find it difficult to survive if they keep doing what they have always been doing.

She said that if there must be a positive change, there must be cooperation among media practitioners.
“If we do not agree, no law can save us. If we are going to sell our content, we must sell our content as a group.”
She also called on journalists to ensure that they do something extra to every news as well as court the younger generation.
On her own part, Maureen Chigbo, President Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), stressed the need for media houses to cut the cost of production and ensure that they move with the time.
According to her, having a good corporate governance will help mitigate against excessive use of resources.
The lecture is held annually in memory of Lateef Jakande, the pioneer President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and a former Governor of Lagos State.