BY ADEYEMI AKANJI in BAUCHI – Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has issued an Executive Order imposing a dusk to dawn curfew on the State.
Governor Yahaya, in a State wide broadcast on Wednesday, declared that the curfew which takes effect from 6:00pm of Thursday, April 23, 2020, will be strictly enforced except for those on essential services that are vital for the good governance of the State.
The governor therefore directed the suspension of all markets and business activities involving the interaction of more than two persons adding that this is in addition to the measures earlier taken as a concerned government that is committed to containing the spread of Covid-19 in Gombe State.
Yahaya announced that essential food and medical supplies are however exempted from the order, while all social, cultural and religious purposes regardless of the number of persons participating in such events are equally suspended.
He also announced that all intra-state transportation from one LGA to another are suspended thus shut down all motor parks across the State.
Similarly, all Tsangaya schools across the State are closed just as necessary steps would be taken to ensure the safe return of all Almajiris from other states back to their respective states of origin.
In the words of Yahaya; “Accordingly, security agencies are hereby directed to ensure compliance with the executive order”.
“A special compliance taskforce has been constituted to oversee the enforcement of these directives with active representation from security agencies, traditional leaders, religious leaders, the Red Cross, Boys Brigade, Hisbah, Yan-Agajis, local vigilante groups, youth groups and other volunteers under the supervision of their respective Local Government Secretaries. I therefore call for your maximum support and cooperation in order to ensure the success of this endeavor.”
Governor Yahaya commended the support his administration received from traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, public-spirited individuals and organizations, the media and civil society organisations, adding that the battle against this pandemic is a collective responsibility that must be won.
