Commercial activities were totally brought to a halt in many towns of Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Thursday night, owing to the curfew imposed on the area.
The Executive Chairman of the Local Government Council, Hon James Thomas, had on Tuesday, after consulting with security agents and other stakeholders, said he was imposing curfew in the council area to boost security.
“It has become imperative for us to take a holistic approach to curb or checkmate the security threat in our area, even though we are enjoying relative peace in Karu LGA, but we must work tirelessly and take all security measures to ensure we live in peace, considering our proximity to Abuja and criminals are using that as an option to take advantage.
“As such, we will take this as precautionary measures: from Thursday 11th August, 2022 till further notice, we will enforce a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
“This will restrict all movement of vehicles, closure of all Cinema, bars and joints, and all other activities in Karu LGA”, the Council boss said on Tuesday.
DAILY POST reports that many business premises, including beer parlours, gardens, kiosks, supermarkets, medicine stores and other commercial activities were shut down, in compliance with the 10pm to 6am order.
Operators of night clubs and lounges, as well as cabs and commercial motorcyclists, were also not left out in compliance.
Also in total compliance were private car owners, as those who close late from their offices in the City centre, who live around Mararaba, Ado, Masaka and environs were seen in a rush-hour movement to their respective areas.
The move caused traffic gridlock in satellite towns of Nyanya, Abacha Road, Old Karu road, Mararaba and One-Man-Village.
Operator of one of the major lounges within the Council Area, who pleaded anonymity, while hailing the government for being proactive, however, recounted his losses within the period.
He said, “the government has done well by asking people to stay at home in the night, but you also know that our business is night business. I can tell you what I have lost since last night, just one night shutdown has cost me so much. Imagine what would happen if this curfew continues. I wish the security situation gets better and we are back to our business in earnest. I can’t imagine today is Friday and we are going to lock my lounge”.
A commercial motorcyclist, who identified himself as Adamu, said he closed by 9:52 pm on Thursday, “to avoid being embarrassed by the security.
Mr. Gideon Saru, a staff of a telecommunications company in the FCT, who also spoke with our Correspondent, said they were asked to close by 8 p.m., instead of the usual closing time of 10 p.m.
“I live in a remote area, in the outskirts of Masaka and it takes me an average of 2 hours to arrive home when I close from work inside town. Anytime I’m on the night shift, I normally arrive home by 12am, except there is no traffic jam.
“But on Wednesday, my boss asked all of us staying around here to close by 8pm instead of 10pm, starting from Thursday, so we can arrive home before 10pm.
“Let everybody adjust. I know it is going to be very difficult for now, but let all of us adjust and with time, we shall get used to it. Security is everyone’s business, we should help ourselves”, Saru said.
