By Victor Christopher
Business activities stand still on Monday in Kano City despite the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew earlier imposed on the city following the ongoing hunger protests, which turned violent in the state.
Grassroots Parrot had reported how the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, imposed the 24-hour curfew on Thursday following the violent protest, which led to the loss of lives and properties as hoodlums hijacked the protests.
The curfew was initially relaxed for a few hours from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday to enable Muslim faithful to observe the Jumat prayers.
On Saturday, the state government, through the commissioner for information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, later announced the review of the curfew relaxation from 8.am to 2.pm daily until further notice.
“People will be allowed to go about their daily businesses between 8.am and 2.pm daily until the security operatives review the situation and give further direction.” He said.
READ ALSO: Kano Govt Clarifies Curfew Relaxation Amid Growing Rumours
However, despite the six-hour window of the relaxed curfew, Grassroots Parrot observed that business activities are yet to pick up in the state as many residents remain indoors over fear of possible hoodlums’ attacks.
Most streets in the ancient city were relatively quiet on Monday. Also, the city witnessed skeletal vehicle movement as a few motorists and tricycle rider were seen on major roads.
Mostly hit by this development are market traders, commercial transporters, food sellers, casual workers in factories, and roadside vendors of various sorts who rely on daily income to earn a living.
Basiru Abdulaziz, a tricycle rider, is one of the people in this category, lamenting how the ugly trend is taking tolls on his daily commute.
“As you can see, I have been sitting under this tree here on Sokoto Road after driving for hours without getting a single passenger.
“I borrowed money from my wife this morning to fuel my keke with the hope of refunding her when I return home in the afternoon since the curfew continues at 2.pm, but there is no passenger to carry.
“I bought the petrol at N950 per liter.” He lamented.
READ ALSO: Protests: Dawanau Grains Market Recruits 800 Personnel to Bolster Security
Abdullazeez Zakariya, a boutique owner at Farm Centre, situated in a government residential area (GRA), opened his shop around 9:00 a.m., but no customer was in sight.
“On a normal day, I’m supposed to have seen like four customers by this time, but now the market here is just dry.
“Most of the shop owners did not open because there were no customers at all. I opened around 9:00 a.m., and since then, there have been no customers.
“We are just hoping that everything will return to the way it was before because things are getting more difficult,” he said.
It was gathered that armed security personnel were deployed to major streets and other strategic places to maintain law and order.
Emmanuel Toyosi, a resident of the Janguza area, confirmed the strategic deployment of armed security personnel in strategic locations in the city.
“I came from Janguza to Farm Center this morning, and I witnessed a number of security operatives on my way.” He said.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Refused To Address Our Demands; Protests Continue—Protesters
The ongoing nationwide hunger strike entered its fifth day in Monday, and the protesters remain adamant.
They appear not to be satisfied with President Bola Tinubu’s Sunday address, claiming that the broadcast did not address their demands.
