Residents flee Kaduna as government relaxes curfew. Read More!

 

… Sambo denies calling for emergency rule

Scores of Kaduna residents and visitors caught up in the ongoing violence fled the state on Friday after government relaxed the curfew by four hours to enable Muslims observe the Jumat prayer.
Also residents of metropolis besieged markets, fuel stations and other business premises to make quick purchases following the announcement.

The various motor packs were also filled with people who are desperate to leave the town for fear of continuation of violence and the curfew which has imposed great hardship on the people.

Governor Ibrahim Yakowa had in a broadcast to the people of the state announced the relaxation of the curfew by four hours, after which it will revert back to 24 hours on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Presidency on Friday denied the reports linking Vice- President Namadi Sambo to the call for the imposition of state of emergency in Kaduna State.

A statement released by the media aide to the vice- president, Mr. Umar Sani, said at no time did Sambo discussed or presided over a meeting where the issue of declaration of emergency rule in the state was raised.

Sani described the reports as “false and mere cheap lies” fabricated to cause disaffection between the vice president, governor Yakowa and former governor of the state, Ahmed Makarfi.

The statement reads:

“Our attention has been drawn to media reports alleging that the Vice President Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo in a purported pursuit of a presidential ambition and in order to get at Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State ostensibly for his supposed closeness with former Governor Ahmed Muhamed Makarfi was pushing for an imposition of a State-of-Emergency rule in Kaduana State.

“At no time was there any meeting involving Kaduna State in which the Vice- President discussed the supposed Emergency Rule.

“We find the story not only malicious in contents but an orchestrated attempt to disparage the hitherto good relationship that exists between the trio. It should be noted that they not only enjoy good and cordial fraternal relationship but excellent working one as well.”
Culled: The Nation