Gunmen shoot cop as curfew relaxed In Kano

MADUABUCHI NMERIBEH/Kano

Two armed men suspected to be members of Boko Haram have attacked the Kano office of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, disarming a police man on duty and shooting him.

The victim is on admission at the Kano General Hospital.

According to a witness account, “the men numbering about two came on a motor bike and disguised in Jalabia (Saudi Arabian dress) and entered ICPC premises unnoticed, pulled out their pistol and instantly shot the police man on guard.”

In the offensive which lasted less than 10 minutes, the gun men took away the police-owned AK47 Rifle. ASP Musa Magaji Majia who confirmed the incident said investigation is on to unravel the circumstances that led to the attack.

The attack came on the eve of the decision by government to relax the dusk to dawn curfew imposed on the city after the 20 January multiple bombings of the city by militants of the Boko Haram sect. Over 200 people died in the mayhem.

The state government said today that the curfew will now start from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. as government and security agencies believe that the security situation in the state has improved.

However, motorcycle operators in the northern city have been restricted to operate between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

This move according to a security source was taken to curb the use of motorcycles by gun men suspected to be members of Boko Haram to launch attack in the ancient city.

Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s Director of Communications and Strategy, Baba Halilu Dantiye said about the decision:

“In the light of improvement regarding the security challenges in Kano state, the state government and security agencies have deemed it necessary to review the existing curfew imposed on the state.

“Similarly, government wishes to implore the citizenry to continue to offer prayers in mosques, churches and places of business for lasting peace and prosperity in our dear state,” the Press Release stated.